The state filing fee to form an LLC in Pennsylvania is $125. Annual maintenance costs include decennial report (every 10 years) ($7) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
Pennsylvania charges a $125 initial filing fee. Pennsylvania requires a decennial report only every 10 years ($7) - essentially no ongoing fee. Pennsylvania has no franchise tax on LLCs and no annual report requirement. Pennsylvania is excellent for minimal-maintenance businesses: $125 to form and minimal ongoing costs.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $125 | One-time at formation |
| Decennial report (every 10 years) | $7 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $181 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $56/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $405 |
The Pennsylvania state filing fee is $125. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($7) amount to approximately $181. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $56/year.
Yes - Pennsylvania requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Pennsylvania address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Pennsylvania address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Decennial report (every 10 years): $7. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $56/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Pennsylvania, forming in Pennsylvania is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Pennsylvania, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Pennsylvania - paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Pennsylvania typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.
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