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How much does an LLC cost in District of Columbia? (2026)
Forming an LLC in District of Columbia costs $99 in state filing fees. Year one comes to $99 and 5 years to $699, above the median state ($335). The biennial report is filed every two years, at $300 each time.
District of Columbia LLC, 5 years
State fees, acting as your own registered agent
Year 1
Years 2 to 5
Assumes the recurring report is first due in year 2 and the minimum state tax every year from year 1. Income-based taxes and county or newspaper costs are not included.
Fees and official sources
| Fee | Amount | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation filing | $99 | once | official page |
| Recurring report | $300 | every two years | official page |
| Minimum state tax | $0 | only some LLCs, see below | being checked |
Adding a registered agent
You can be your own registered agent if you have a street address in District of Columbia and are there in business hours. With the lowest standalone price on our list, Harbor Compliance (registered agent) at $99 a year, the 5-year cost becomes $1,194. Compare registered agent prices.
District of Columbia deadlines and late penalties
- The first biennial report is due April 1 of the year after the LLC registers, then by April 1 every two years.
- A biennial report filed after April 1 of the year it is due adds a $100 late fee.
What to know before you file in District of Columbia
- Walk-in filings are charged the $100 one-day expedite fee on top of the regular filing fee.
- State tax: DC charges a minimum unincorporated business franchise tax of $250 (or $1,000 with DC gross receipts over $1 million) to businesses with DC gross receipts over $12,000. Our totals leave it out.
District of Columbia compared with nearby states
Among nearby states, Virginia costs $399 less over 5 years and Maryland costs $601 more than District of Columbia. The state where you form is usually the state where the LLC does business; forming elsewhere can mean registering in both.
| State | To file | Year 1 | Average per year after | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99 | $99 | $150 | $699 |
| Virginia | $100 | $100 | $50 | $300 |
| Maryland | $100 | $100 | $300 | $1,300 |
Questions
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in District of Columbia?
- The state filing fee is $99. Counting the recurring report and minimum state tax, year one costs $99 in state fees if you act as your own registered agent.
- How much does an LLC cost per year in District of Columbia?
- After the first year, state fees average $150 a year: the biennial report is $300 every two years.
- Is District of Columbia a cheap state for an LLC?
- Over 5 years District of Columbia costs $699 in state fees, which ranks 40 of 49 jurisdictions we have confirmed, cheapest first. The median is $335.
Sources, read verified 2026-11-15: dlcp.dc.gov/node/1621921 · dlcp.dc.gov/service/domestic-limited-liability-company · dlcp.dc.gov/page/corporations-division-fees-limited-liability-company