District of Columbia · DC
District of Columbia LLC Formation Cost 2026
Filing fee $99 · Annual $300 · Privacy 4/10 · Banking 9/10
The numbers
| Initial state filing fee | $99 |
|---|---|
| Annual report (biennial) | $300 |
| Franchise / privilege tax | Unincorporated Business Tax 8.25% on net > $12k |
| State personal income tax (top) | 10.75% |
| State corporate income tax (top) | 8.25% |
| Publication required? | No |
| Standard processing time | 7 business days |
| Privacy score | 4/10 |
| Banking accessibility | 9/10 |
| 5-year total cost | $1,849 |
Why people choose District of Columbia
- Federal banking center
Trade-offs to know
- UBT 8.25%
- Biennial $300
- High personal income tax
Who District of Columbia is best for
- DC metro businesses
DC treats LLCs as unincorporated businesses subject to UBT if income > $12k.
- District of Columbia Secretary of State / business division
- Fees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
District of Columbia vs the alternatives
| State | Filing | Recurring | State tax | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99 | $300/yr | 10.75% | 4/10 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $62/yr | 0% | 9/10 |
| Delaware | $110 | $300/yr | 6.6% | 7/10 |
How to form an LLC in District of Columbia (general steps)
- Choose a unique name ending in "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Check name availability with the District of Columbia Secretary of State.
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical District of Columbia address.
- File Articles of Organization ($99) with the District of Columbia Secretary of State.
- Draft an Operating Agreement — most states do not require filing but strongly recommend having one.
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS (free online with SSN/ITIN).
- File the FinCEN BOI report within 90 days of formation (federal requirement).
- File the biennial report ($300) by the deadline to keep the LLC in good standing.
Other commonly compared states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in District of Columbia?
The state filing fee is $99. An biennial report costs $300. Plus a registered agent (typically $25-$150/year).
Does District of Columbia have a state income tax on LLCs?
District of Columbia's top personal income tax rate is 10.75%. Pass-through LLC profits flow to your personal return at this rate.
What is the annual cost of maintaining a District of Columbia LLC?
Excluding the first-year filing fee, the recurring cost is $350 (annual report + franchise minimum + $50 registered agent baseline). Five-year total ≈ $1,849.
Can a non-resident form an LLC in District of Columbia?
Yes. Non-US residents can form an LLC in any state. However, banking, payment processing, and EIN acquisition vary in difficulty. District of Columbia has strong banking accessibility (9/10). See our non-resident guide for the full process.
Is District of Columbia a good state for an anonymous LLC?
District of Columbia's privacy score is 4/10. Some member or manager information appears on public filings. For maximum privacy, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nevada are common choices.
Deep-dive District of Columbia guides
Interactive cost calculator for District of Columbia
LLC Cost Calculator
Estimate the real cost of forming and maintaining an LLC across 51 US jurisdictions. Includes state filing, registered agent, annual report, franchise tax, and (where applicable) publication.
Year 1 breakdown — District of Columbia
| State filing fee | $99 |
| Registered agent (yr 1) | $50 |
| Annual report fee | $300 |
| Franchise / privilege tax (minimum) | $0 |
| Year 1 total | $449 |
| Recurring (yr 2+) | $350/yr |
Avg. $370 / year — compares to 5-yr baseline $1,849.
What this calculator does NOT include
- Federal BOI report (free, but mandatory)
- EIN application (free with SSN/ITIN; some services charge $50-$300)
- Operating Agreement drafting
- State-level business licenses (industry-specific)
- Local city/county fees (varies by municipality)
- Foreign LLC registration if operating outside formation state
- Federal and state income tax on profits
Educational estimate only. Not legal or tax advice. Verify with a licensed CPA or attorney before filing.