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How much does an LLC cost in North Carolina? (2026)
Forming an LLC in North Carolina costs $125 in state filing fees. Year one comes to $125 and 5 years to $925, above the median state ($335). After formation, the main yearly cost is the annual report at $200.
North Carolina 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 | $125 | once | official page |
| Recurring report | $200 | every year | official page |
| Minimum state tax | $0 | none found on official pages | being checked |
Adding a registered agent
You can be your own registered agent if you have a street address in North Carolina 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 $1,420. Compare registered agent prices.
North Carolina deadlines and late penalties
- The first annual report is due April 15 of the year after the LLC was created, then every April 15.
- An LLC that does not file can be administratively dissolved. Reinstatement costs a $100 application fee plus $200 for each annual report owed.
What to know before you file in North Carolina
- Professional LLCs formed under Chapter 55B do not file this annual report.
North Carolina compared with nearby states
Among nearby states, South Carolina costs $815 less over 5 years and Tennessee costs $1,075 more than North Carolina. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $125 | $125 | $200 | $925 |
| South Carolina | $110 | $110 | $0 | $110 |
| Georgia | $110 | $110 | $60 | $350 |
| Tennessee | $300 | $400 | $400 | $2,000 |
Questions
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in North Carolina?
- The state filing fee is $125. Counting the recurring report and minimum state tax, year one costs $125 in state fees if you act as your own registered agent.
- How much does an LLC cost per year in North Carolina?
- After the first year, state fees average $200 a year: the annual report is $200 every year.
- Is North Carolina a cheap state for an LLC?
- Over 5 years North Carolina costs $925 in state fees, which ranks 41 of 49 jurisdictions we have confirmed, cheapest first. The median is $335.
Sources, read verified 2026-11-15: sosnc.gov/fees/by_title/_Business_Registration_limited_liability_compa · sosnc.gov/manual/launching_a_business/maintaining_registration · sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration/Reinstatement_and_Requalific