How Much Does an LLC Cost in New York? (A Complete Guide)
If you intend to form an LLC in New York, you have to factor in the cost to establish one.
As a Mergers and Acquisitions specialist who has helped over 50 clients complete their New York's LLC formation process since 2019, I verified every fee directly against the New York Department of State fee schedules and tax.ny.gov for this guide.
New York's mandatory LLC costs include a $200 Articles of Organization filing fee and a $50 Certificate of Publication fee. However, the publication requirement itself—requiring notice in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks—can cost $300 to $1,500 depending on your county, making it the largest variable expense for new LLC owners.
Also, consider utilizing professional New York LLC formation services to streamline the process and ensure compliance with the New York law.
Quick Summary
- An LLC in New York costs $200 for filing the Articles of Organization, and $50 for the Certificate of Publication.
- Additional expenses may include fees for publication, reserving a name, annual filing fees based on the LLC's gross income, attorney fees, publication costs, and operating agreements.
- I advise clients who are on a budget to utilize online legal formation services to help streamline the LLC formation process and ensure compliance with state regulations.
Cost To Start an LLC in New York
The cost to start an LLC in New York includes the following:
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($200 - Mandatory)
Filing the LLC Articles of Organization officially creates your company and establishes its basic structure and bylaws.
The cost of filing for Articles of Organization varies from state to state. In New York, the filing fee is $200 for an LLC, as noted on the Department of State website [1].
According to the New York Department of State, expedited processing options are available for an additional fee, including $25 for 24-hour processing, $75 for same-day processing, and $150 for 2-hour processing, highlighting the state's flexible service offerings for urgent filings.
2. Certificate of Publication ($50 - Mandatory)
To comply with state regulations, New York LLCs must publish their articles or a notice of formation in two newspapers designated by the county clerk within 120 days of submitting their Articles of Organization.
A $50 state fee is associated with filing the Certificate of Publication with the Department of State.
Furthermore, the New York LLC newspaper publication may cost between $300 and $1,200, depending on the service you use to make your LLC.
If you're looking for a less expensive way to publish your notice of intent, consider publishing it online. I once had a client who used an online legal platform, and it only cost him $10 to publish the notice of intent.
Read our article for more information about publication requirements for LLCs in New York.
"All LLCs in New York are required to publish a copy of their Articles of Organization or a notice of their LLC's formation in two New York newspapers—one daily and one weekly—within 120 days of filing their Articles of Organization."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
3. Registered Agent Service Fee ($80-$300 – Optional)
A New York registered agent typically costs between $80 and $300 annually. This fee usually includes access to a registered agent who can receive and forward all important documents and mailings for your business.
4. Name Reservation Fee ($20 - Optional)
To reserve a name for an LLC in New York, you must pay a $20 fee to the New York Department of State, which allows you to reserve the selected name for up to 60 days [2].
This reservation fee ensures that your chosen name remains available for exclusive use during the reservation period.
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Once the business has been approved, there are additional expenses you may have to shoulder. These include the following:
1. Business License (Depending on Line of Business - Mandatory)
The state doesn’t impose a general business license. However, there are certain licenses and permits that have to be acquired depending on the location and nature of the business.
Healthcare and Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Retail Trade are among New York's largest employment sectors, so professionals in these fields might face unique licensing requirements [3].
I have clients who are legal and medical professionals who were required to obtain professional licenses and permits. You can contact the New York Business Express to inquire if your LLC needs a state license [4].
2. Annual Report Fee (Depends on LLC’s Gross Income – Mandatory)
New York LLCs must meet two separate ongoing compliance requirements with different state agencies.
First, all LLCs must file a Biennial Statement with the Department of State every two years. The filing fee is $9, and it updates your LLC's address and registered agent information on record.
Second, LLCs with income from New York sources must pay an Annual Filing Fee to the Department of Taxation and Finance using Form IT-204-LL.
This fee is based on your LLC's gross income from New York sources in the preceding tax year:
- $25: gross income of $100,000 or less (or disregarded entities)
- $50: $100,001 to $250,000
- $175: $250,001 to $500,000
- $500: $500,001 to $1,000,000
- $1,500: $1,000,001 to $5,000,000
- $3,000: $5,000,001 to $25,000,000
- $4,500: over $25,000,000 [5]
According to the SBA's 2025 Small Business Profile for New York, small businesses contributed a net increase of 54,510 jobs between March 2023 and March 2024, representing 42.4% of the state's total job growth of 128,519 jobs [6].
This data underscores the importance of understanding ongoing compliance costs for growing businesses in New York.
3. Operating Agreement ($100 - $200 - Optional, but Recommended)
An operating agreement entails no cost if the LLC members decide to draft the document by themselves.
If, however, the company would need or prefer professional services, they may either use an online LLC formation service or employ a lawyer. One of my clients was charged $100 for an online package, which was completed within a few days.
Online formation services can provide your business with an operating agreement for $100 to $200.
Hiring a lawyer may cost considerably cost much more but the document will be more specific and tailor-made for the company.
4. EIN ($0 - Optional, but Recommended)
The Employer Identification Number is required when paying taxes, opening a business bank account, acquiring financial aid, and hiring employees.
You can apply for an EIN on the Internal Revenue Service's website at no additional cost.
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FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an LLC in NY?
It costs approximately $34 to $4,500 annually to maintain an LLC in New York. LLCs pay a $9 biennial statement fee every two years plus an annual filing fee ranging from $25 to $4,500 based on gross income from New York sources.
Is There A Penalty For Paying My Taxes Late In New York?
There is a penalty for paying your taxes late in New York. The charge ranges between 0.5% and 25% for each unpaid month.
Do I Need To Register For Sales Tax With The New York State Department Of Taxation And Finance?
You need to register for sales tax with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance if your LLC sells taxable goods or services. Obtain a Certificate of Authority before collecting sales tax, which combines a 4% state rate with local rates exceeding 8% in some counties.
References:
- https://dos.ny.gov/articles-organization-domestic-limited-liability-company-0
- https://dos.ny.gov/application-reservation-name-domestic-and-foreign-limited-liability-companies
- https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/economic-profiles/new-york/
- https://dos.ny.gov/forming-limited-liability-company-new-york
- https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/annual_filing_fee.htm
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/New_York_2025-State-Profile.pdf
