How Much Does an LLC Cost in Utah (Filing Fees Breakdown)
Starting an LLC in Utah entails mandatory costs as well as optional expenses. The actual amount will depend on the structure of your company, the nature of the business, requirements, and documentation.
Being a Mergers and Acquisitions specialist, I gained considerable knowledge on the costs and requirements to form a business entity across all states, including Utah.
After extensive research and consultation with business experts in the state, we will review all the costs of establishing an LLC in Utah.
Quick Summary
- An LLC in Utah costs $54 to file the Certificate of Organization and $50 to $300 for a registered agent service.
- Additional expenses may arise from license fees, taxes payable, the annual report, and additional documents.
- In 2023, Utah's business landscape thrived, with a remarkable 71,877 new business applications filed, as reported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, showcasing the state's dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and flourishing economy.
- In my experience, it is advisable for new business owners to consult with or employ legal professionals in the formation of their LLC.
Cost to Start an LLC in Utah
To start an LLC in Utah, there are mandatory costs as well as optional expenses that have to be met in order for your company to be approved and registered with the state.
Small businesses are a critical component of Utah's economy, employing 635,432 individuals, which constitutes 45.2% of the state's workforce [1].
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($54 - Mandatory)
An LLC in Utah costs $54. This fee is to register your LLC and file your Certificate of Organization with the Department of State.
You can file your Utah certificate in person, via mail, fax, or online at the OneStop Business Registration website [2].
The Utah Department of State offers expedited mail processing for $75 per filing. I advise my clients to avail of the service since the application will be reviewed and approved within 1 to 2 business days.
2. Registered Agent Service Fee ($80-$300 – Mandatory)
Utah's law requires you to employ a registered agent when filing for your LLC.
A registered agent receives service of process on behalf of the company and keeps the business compliant with state laws. Employing one costs $80 to $300 a year.
Hiring a registered agent is necessary if you don't have a Utah address or can't feasibly be your own registered agent.
I always survey around for the best registered agent service before finalizing my decision on which agency to employ.
3. Name Reservation Fee ($22 - Optional)
Name reservation prevents any other Utah LLCs from using your company name before you register it.
To reserve a business name, you must submit an application and pay a $22 fee. Your reservation lasts for 120 days.
Before reserving a name, I had to check the Utah Business Name Search to verify if the name was still available [3].
If you need to rename your LLC, read our article and learn how to change an LLC name in Utah.
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Once your LLC has been approved, there are additional expenses in the form of license fees, taxes, and other documentation.
In 2023, as per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the entrepreneurial spirit in Utah was notably vibrant, as evidenced by the filing of 71,877 new business applications [4].
1. Business License (Depending on the Line of Business - Mandatory)
Utah doesn't have a statewide business license for an LLC; however, most cities will require a general business operating license.
"Not all cities or towns mandate LLCs to register for licenses; verification with your local municipality is essential. Take Salt Lake City as an instance, where LLCs are obligated to obtain a business license at a fee of $100."
- Jon Morgan, Co-Founder & Chief Editor of Venture Smarter
You may also need a specialty LLC business license for a regulated profession. I had several colleagues in the medical field who were required to obtain a professional license in order to practice in the state.
2. Annual Report Fee ($18 – Mandatory)
An $18 annual report fee must be filed to keep running your Utah business. You can file a report online with the Utah Department of Commerce.
Any annual reports not filed on time will have a $10 late fee per renewal. Your LLC annual report fee must be paid within 60 days before your business expiration date.
3. Operating Agreement (Optional but Recommended)
There’s no associated cost for filing an operating agreement in the state. However, it’s advisable to employ the services of an attorney to draft the document on your behalf to ensure its legality.
Having employed online legal services in the past, I spent somewhere between $100 and $200 to draft one.
4. Taxes Payable (Mandatory)
Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to pay taxes for your Utah LLC, including sales tax, use tax, or fuel tax.
The Division of Government does issue sales tax registration, which is required if your Utah LLC will be selling tangible property or services.
You can apply for tax permits online through the Utah State Tax Commission [5].
5. DBA Name ($22 - Optional)
If you are considering doing business under any name other than your legal business name, you can register a Doing Business As Name, which costs $22.
Your business can register as many DBA names as you would like.
6. Certified Copies ($12 plus $0.30 per additional page - Optional)
You can order certified copies of your Utah LLC documents from the Utah Division of Corporations, including your Certificate of Organization, Operating Agreement, professional licenses, and more, for $12 plus $.30 per additional page.
Certified copies can be ordered online, by phone, or in person at the Division of Corporations.
I consider it good practice to obtain copies of all company documents for filing and legal purposes.
7. Certificate Of Existence ($12 to $20 - Optional)
In Utah, a Certificate of Existence is the same as a Certificate of Good Standing. You can order a Certificate of Existence for $12 for the short form and $20 for the long form through the Utah Tax Commission.
An LLC is required to provide a certificate of existence if creating a business bank account or registering as a foreign LLC in another state.
8. EIN ($0 - Optional but Recommended)
An employer identification number (EIN) costs $0 to file and can be done online, via mail, or by phone through the Internal Revenue Service.
You will need LLC members' full legal names and addresses, social security numbers, your formal business name, and more.
When dealing with entrepreneurs and new business owners, I always emphasize the importance of obtaining an EIN. It is required to open business bank accounts, hire employees, and obtain loans.
FAQs
Does A Utah LLC Pay Taxes?
A Utah LLC pays taxes, depending on the taxation that the company opts for. Corporate income tax in Utah is 5% of the annual income, while individual returns pay 4.65%.
What Payment Methods Can I Use To Pay Utah's State Fees For Filing My LLC?
The payment methods you can use to pay Utah’s state fees for filing your LLC are cash, check, or credit card. Cash can be used if paying in person; a check can be used in person or via mail, and credit cards can be used in person or online.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-UT.pdf
- https://corporations.utah.gov/business-entities/considerations-in-forming-a-limited-liability-company/
- https://secure.utah.gov/bes/index.html
- https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/new-business-applications-a-state-by-state-view?state=ut
- https://tax.utah.gov/business