Michigan LLC Cost (2026): $50 to Form and $25 Every February
Michigan is one of the cheapest states to form and keep an LLC. Formation is $50, the yearly statement is $25, and there is no franchise tax on LLCs. The one detail that matters is the calendar: every Michigan LLC files on the same date, February 15, and when you form determines when your first statement is due.
The $50 Articles of Organization
Michigan LLCs are formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), online through the MiBusiness Registry portal or by mail. The fee is $50. A professional LLC, for licensed professions such as doctors or accountants, pays $75. If you want to hold a name before filing, a name reservation costs $25.
Northwest Registered Agent
Michigan’s business entity search shows your resident agent’s address to anyone. $39 formation + $50 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
The $25 Annual Statement Due February 15
Every Michigan LLC files an annual statement by February 15. The fee is $25. LARA mails a notice to the resident agent in advance, which is one reason a reliable agent address matters. The statement confirms the resident agent and registered office.
The October 1 Rule for New LLCs
An LLC formed on or after October 1 does not file a statement the following February 15. Its first statement is due February 15 of the year after that. So an LLC formed on September 20, 2026 files its first $25 statement by February 15, 2027, while one formed on October 5, 2026 files its first one by February 15, 2028.
If your launch date is flexible, forming in the fourth quarter pushes the first annual fee back by a year. The saving is only $25, so it should not drive the decision on its own.
The $50 Penalty and Restoring Good Standing
A statement filed after February 15 carries a $50 penalty on top of the $25 fee. If an LLC goes two years without filing, it is no longer in good standing. Fixing that requires a Certificate of Restoration, which costs $50, plus every missed statement and penalty. Restoring is doable but costs several times the $25 you would have paid on time.
Michigan 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $89 ($50 filing + $39, RA free) | $150 ($25 annual statement + $125 RA) | $150 (same) | $389 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $149 ($50 + $0 + $99 RA) | $224 ($25 + $199 RA) | $224 (same) | $597 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $50 (Articles of Organization) | $25 (annual statement) | $25 (annual statement) | $100 |
The table assumes an LLC formed before October 1, so it pays statements in years two and three. The $289 difference with Northwest Registered Agent is the resident agent service, which keeps your home address off Michigan’s public records and makes sure LARA’s February notices reach you.
Form your Michigan LLC for $39 + $50 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Michigan LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Michigan LLC may not be worth it yet: at $25 a year the state cost is small. If you have no clients or assets at risk yet, waiting until the fourth quarter can delay the first statement by a year.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Michigan?
$50 to file Articles of Organization with LARA’s Corporations Division, or $75 for a professional LLC. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $89 including a free first year of registered agent service.
How much is the Michigan LLC annual statement?
$25, due February 15 each year. LLCs formed on or after October 1 skip the first February 15 after formation.
What is the late penalty for Michigan’s annual statement?
$50 on top of the $25 fee. After two years unfiled the LLC loses good standing and needs a $50 Certificate of Restoration plus back fees.
Does Michigan charge LLCs a franchise tax?
No. By default Michigan LLC profit passes through to the owners’ personal income tax returns.
