North Dakota · ND
North Dakota LLC Formation Cost 2026
Filing fee $135 · Annual $50 · Privacy 5/10 · Banking 7/10
The numbers
| Initial state filing fee | $135 |
|---|---|
| Annual report (annual) | $50 |
| Franchise / privilege tax | None |
| State personal income tax (top) | 2.5% |
| State corporate income tax (top) | 4.31% |
| Publication required? | No |
| Standard processing time | 7 business days |
| Privacy score | 5/10 |
| Banking accessibility | 7/10 |
| 5-year total cost | $635 |
Why people choose North Dakota
- Low income tax
Trade-offs to know
- Mid filing fee
Who North Dakota is best for
- Local ND businesses
Income tax cuts in effect since 2023.
- North Dakota Secretary of State / business division
- Fees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
North Dakota vs the alternatives
| State | Filing | Recurring | State tax | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $135 | $50/yr | 2.5% | 5/10 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $62/yr | 0% | 9/10 |
| Delaware | $110 | $300/yr | 6.6% | 7/10 |
How to form an LLC in North Dakota (general steps)
- Choose a unique name ending in "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Check name availability with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical North Dakota address.
- File Articles of Organization ($135) with the North Dakota 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 annual report ($50) 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 North Dakota?
The state filing fee is $135. An annual report costs $50. Plus a registered agent (typically $25-$150/year).
Does North Dakota have a state income tax on LLCs?
North Dakota's top personal income tax rate is 2.5%. Pass-through LLC profits flow to your personal return at this rate.
What is the annual cost of maintaining a North Dakota LLC?
Excluding the first-year filing fee, the recurring cost is $100 (annual report + franchise minimum + $50 registered agent baseline). Five-year total ≈ $635.
Can a non-resident form an LLC in North Dakota?
Yes. Non-US residents can form an LLC in any state. However, banking, payment processing, and EIN acquisition vary in difficulty. North Dakota has moderate banking accessibility (7/10). See our non-resident guide for the full process.
Is North Dakota a good state for an anonymous LLC?
North Dakota's privacy score is 5/10. Some member or manager information appears on public filings. For maximum privacy, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nevada are common choices.
Deep-dive North Dakota guides
Interactive cost calculator for North Dakota
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 — North Dakota
| State filing fee | $135 |
| Registered agent (yr 1) | $50 |
| Annual report fee | $50 |
| Franchise / privilege tax (minimum) | $0 |
| Year 1 total | $235 |
| Recurring (yr 2+) | $100/yr |
Avg. $127 / year — compares to 5-yr baseline $635.
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.