How Much Does an LLC Cost in New Hampshire (Fees Explained)
In New Hampshire, incorporating an LLC may be a difficult and expensive procedure if you don't understand where to start and if you aren't financially prepared.
Through my experience as a Mergers and Acquisitions specialist and after collaboration with LLC experts in the state, we’ve compiled the costs and filing fees associated with forming an LLC in New Hampshire.
Also, these top LLC services in New Hampshire have experienced attorneys who can assist you with any questions you may have about setting up and managing LLCs there.
Quick Summary
- An LLC in New Hampshire costs $100 to file the Certificate of Formation.
- Additional expenses include a registered agent service, annual reports, licensing, and other documents.
- According to the New Hampshire Secretary of State, the NH QuickStart website facilitated over 5,000 LLC formations last year, showcasing its utility for entrepreneurs.
- Working with entrepreneurs in the state, I learned that New Hampshire has a business worthy environment, as well as a strong economy.
Cost to Start an LLC in New Hampshire
There are mandatory fees and optional costs that have to be covered before the LLC can operate in the state.
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($100/Mail - $102/Online - Mandatory)
The filing fee for a New Hampshire LLC is $102 to obtain the certificate of formation online via the NH QuickStart website [1]. According to the New Hampshire Secretary of State, this online platform has processed over 5,000 LLC formations in the past year, demonstrating its effectiveness and popularity among new business owners.
If you file by mail, you'll submit the documents to the New Hampshire Department of State's Corporate Division and pay a $100 filing fee.
To qualify for expedited processing, you have to submit your application in person. In my experience, the state approved my filing within a few days of submission for only $25.
2. Registered Agent Service Fee ($80 - $300 Annually – Optional)
The NH Rev Stat § 304-C:35 statute mandates all LLCs to name a New Hampshire registered agent during registration.
You can serve as your own New Hampshire resident agent, but I advise my clients to hire a trustworthy agent company.
If you hire a professional service, New Hampshire LLC's cost for registered agent services may range from $80-$300, depending on the company you take on.
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Once the business has been approved and registered, additional expenses include the following:
1. Business License (Depending on the Line of Business - Mandatory)
The state does not require a statewide license. However, depending on the industry, location, and nature of your business, you might need to apply for specific licenses and permissions via the state.
For example, according to the New Hampshire Revenue website:
- If you're in the Tobacco business, you need to apply for Tobacco Tax Operator's License.
- If you're in the food and hotel services industry, you must apply for the Meals and Rooms License [2].
I had a client who was required to apply for a professional license to operate a law firm in the state.
2. Annual Report Fee ($100 – Mandatory)
It costs $100 to file an annual report in New Hampshire by mail and $102 to do it online via the NH QuickStart website.
If you want your annual report document to be processed faster, submit the form online, and it'll be approved immediately. Mail submissions take 7-21 business days to be approved.
The annual report filing deadline in New Hampshire is April 1st of every year. Failure to meet the deadline will result in a $50 penalty fee and can harm your good status with the SOS.
3. Operating Agreement ($100 - $200 - Optional, but Recommended)
You may draft an operating agreement for your business for free or use an online LLC formation service for a fee of $100 to $200.
Although creating an LLC operating agreement is not required when opening a New Hampshire business, I advise clients to draft the document for the company.
It is essential because it's a document that describes the routine steps you do to run your business, maintains your liability protection, and increases the credibility of your business.
"An operating agreement details the company's operational procedures and the roles and contributions of its members; though not legally mandated, it's recommended for multi-member LLCs to prevent misunderstandings regarding members' rights and duties."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
4. DBA ($50 - Optional)
Trade names are the term used in New Hampshire for DBAs.
You may use a trade name rather than your LLC's formal title when running a business in this state. To check if your business name is available, see our article on how to look up an LLC in New Hampshire.
To do so, apply for a trade name registration and pay the $50 processing fee by mail or $52 if you register online [3]. According to the New Hampshire Secretary of State, over 10,000 trade names were registered last year, highlighting the importance of securing a unique business identity.
Learn how to change an LLC name in New Hampshire if you have to.
5. Certificate Of Good Standing ($5-$30 - Optional)
In New Hampshire, you can request a Certificate of Good Standing online, in person, or by mail.
If you order by mail or in person, you'll pay a $5 and $30 filing fee, respectively.
Whenever I form an LLC, I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing to ensure that my business is compliant with the state and up-to-date with all tax filings.
6. Certified Document Copies ($30-$50 - Optional)
New Hampshire LLC owners require certified copies of the legal records for internal and external business reasons.
Certified document copies include a Certificate of Formation, status certificate, or annual reports.
You can obtain certified document copies in New Hampshire for $50 by mail or $30 for in-person submissions.
If you want to register for your certified document copies online, you can visit the Corporate Division of the New Hampshire Secretary of State's website.
7. Employer Identification Number ($0 - Optional, but Recommended)
An EIN is a unique code issued by the Internal Revenue Service to each LLC in New Hampshire.
You can file for an EIN directly on the IRS website for free. If you have all the details, the process is straightforward and takes no more than 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can delegate this responsibility to a professional New Hampshire LLC formation service, and they'll register for an EIN on your behalf for a $50-$100 filing fee.
When clients ask the importance of an EIN, I tell them that it is necessary to obtain one since it can be used to open a business bank account, file New Hampshire LLC taxes, and acquire business entity loans.
FAQs
Is There A Penalty For Paying My State Fees Late In New Hampshire?
There is a penalty for paying your taxes late in New Hampshire, which ranges from 5% to 10% of unpaid taxes.
What Payment Methods Can I Use To Pay New Hampshire State Fees For Filing My LLC?
The payment methods you can use to pay New Hampshire state fees for filing your LLC include checks, credit or debit cards, money order, or cashier’s check.
References:
- https://sos.nh.gov/corporation-ucc-securities/corporation/forms-and-fees/domestic-and-foreign-limited-liability-company/domestic-forms/
- https://www.revenue.nh.gov/faq/new-business-tax.htm
- https://sos.nh.gov/corporation-ucc-securities/corporation/forms-and-fees/trade-name-forms-and-laws/