Methodology
How the calculator works
The goal is transparent arithmetic on a spreadsheet-like dataset—not a promise about your exact liability.
Each state row stores filing fees, periodic report fees (annualized when biennial), optional publication bands, a commercial registered-agent assumption, and franchise-style taxes only where we model a band. When a range exists, the calculator often uses the midpoint for a single total—your real cost may fall anywhere in the band.
First-year total sums formation fee, optional expedite, optional formation-service placeholder, publication midpoint when flagged, and one year of registered agent when you include it.
Annual recurring sums annualized report fees, midpoint franchise-tax modeling when applicable, and registered agent when included. It does not forecast every tax or license you might owe outside the SOS.
Fees change
Legislatures and agencies update fees. Treat every figure as stale until you confirm the current schedule on the official filing site.
Multi-state operations
If you form in one state and operate in another, you may need a foreign qualification or other filings. This site flags that risk; it does not calculate foreign fees for you.
Not advice
Informational only. Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Fees and rules change; confirm with official agencies.