Arizona LLC Cost (2026): $50 to File, and Maybe a Newspaper Notice
Arizona is among the cheapest states to form and keep an LLC: $50 to file and no annual report afterwards. The one cost that varies is publication. Arizona still requires new LLCs to publish a notice, but where your statutory agent is located decides whether that costs nothing or a newspaper bill.
The $50 Articles of Organization
Arizona LLCs are formed with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), online through Arizona Business Connect or by mail. The fee is $50, and expedited processing adds $35. The Articles name a statutory agent with an Arizona address and state whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed.
Northwest Registered Agent
Arizona’s statutory agent address is public, and it also decides whether you pay for publication. $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 Publication Requirement and the Maricopa/Pima Exemption
Within 60 days after the ACC approves the Articles, an Arizona LLC must publish a notice of its formation in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of its known place of business, for three consecutive publications. Then an affidavit of publication is filed.
There is an important exception. If the statutory agent’s street address is in Maricopa County (Phoenix area) or Pima County (Tucson area), the ACC publishes the notice on its own website at no charge and you do not publish in a newspaper. Elsewhere in Arizona, owners have reported newspaper charges ranging roughly from $30 to $300 depending on the paper and county.
This is one practical reason to use a statutory agent located in Maricopa or Pima County, even if the business itself operates elsewhere in the state.
No Annual Report for Arizona LLCs
Arizona corporations file annual reports, but LLCs do not. There is no yearly state fee to keep an Arizona LLC active. You still need to keep the statutory agent current with the ACC. An LLC whose agent resigns and is not replaced can be administratively dissolved.
TPT License and Income Tax
- Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license: if you sell taxable goods or services, you need a TPT license from the Arizona Department of Revenue. Fees vary by the cities you operate in.
- Income tax: Arizona has a 2.5% flat personal income tax, which applies to the owners’ share of pass-through LLC profit.
Arizona 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $89 ($50 filing + $39, RA free) | $125 ($0 state + $125 RA) | $125 (same) | $339 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $149 ($50 + $0 + $99 RA) | $199 ($0 + $199 RA) | $199 (same) | $547 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $50 (Articles of Organization) | $0 (no annual report) | $0 (no annual report) | $50 |
The table assumes a statutory agent in Maricopa or Pima County, so publication is free. Outside those counties, add the newspaper cost to year one. With Northwest Registered Agent the extra $289 over three years is the statutory agent service.
Form your Arizona 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 Arizona LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When an Arizona LLC may not be worth it yet: with no annual fee, cost is rarely the reason to wait. The decision comes down to whether you need liability protection yet.
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 Arizona?
$50 to file Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission, plus $35 if you expedite. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $89 including a free first year of statutory agent service.
Does Arizona require LLCs to publish in a newspaper?
Yes, within 60 days of approval, three consecutive times, unless the statutory agent’s address is in Maricopa or Pima County. In those counties the ACC publishes the notice for free.
Does Arizona have an LLC annual report?
No. Arizona LLCs file no annual report and pay no annual state fee.
What is Arizona’s state income tax rate?
2.5% flat, applied to each owner’s share of pass-through LLC profit.
