North Dakota LLC formation prices $135 (Articles of Group, through FirstStop portal). Annual experiences are due November 15 annually ($50; late penalty is $50, bringing whole to $100). North Dakota has one of many lowest earnings tax charges within the nation: 1.10% to 2.50%. No franchise tax. Utilizing Northwest Registered Agent prices $39 plus the $135 state payment, for $174 12 months one.
How one can Type an LLC in North Dakota: Full 2026 Information

Forming a North Dakota LLC prices $135 in state submitting charges. File the Articles of Group with the North Dakota Secretary of State. Processing: 2-5 enterprise days. Annual compliance: Annual Report, due November 15 annually. Late penalty: $50 (doubles whole to $100). Price: $50.
Northwest Registered Agent – Best for North Dakota LLCs
$39 service payment + $135 state payment = $174 whole 12 months one. Registered agent service included free for 12 months one, then $125/12 months. Privateness-focused, family-owned, in enterprise since 1998. Doesn’t promote your knowledge.
Form Your North Dakota LLC with Northwest →Lowest 3-year price we discovered: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service charges; state charges additional). Northwest additionally places its tackle in your public filings as an alternative of yours the place the state permits.
North Dakota LLC at a Look
| Merchandise | Element |
|---|---|
| Formation doc | Articles of Group |
| Submitting company | North Dakota Secretary of State |
| State submitting payment | $135 |
| Processing time | 2-5 enterprise days |
| Annual/biennial requirement | Annual Report, due November 15 annually. Late penalty: $50 (doubles whole to $100). |
| Annual/biennial payment | $50 |
| State earnings tax | Graduated: 1.10% to 2.50% (one of many lowest particular person earnings tax charges within the U.S.) |
| Franchise tax | No franchise tax for LLCs |
| Registered agent required | Sure, bodily North Dakota tackle required |
| Working settlement | Not required by legislation; strongly advisable |
| Identify reservation | $10 (non-compulsory, 12 months) |
What You Want Earlier than Submitting in North Dakota
Earlier than you file with the North Dakota Secretary of State, collect the next:
- LLC title that features “Restricted Legal responsibility Firm,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” and is distinguishable from present North Dakota entities. Test availability at North Dakota Secretary of State business search.
- Registered agent with a bodily road tackle in North Dakota. P.O. bins usually are not accepted.
- Articles of Group particulars: LLC title, registered agent title and North Dakota tackle, administration construction (member-managed or manager-managed), organizer title and tackle.
- Fee technique: Bank card for on-line filings, test payable to North Dakota Secretary of State for mail filings.
Identify reservation is non-compulsory in North Dakota. It prices $10 (non-compulsory, 12 months) and holds your title whilst you put together your formation paperwork.
Step-by-Step: Forming a North Dakota LLC in 2026
Select and Confirm Your LLC Identify
Search the North Dakota business entity database to verify your title is accessible. Your title should embrace “Restricted Legal responsibility Firm,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.” and should be distinguishable from present registered entities in North Dakota.
Appoint a Registered Agent
Each North Dakota LLC should designate a registered agent with a bodily road tackle in North Dakota. The agent receives authorized paperwork and state notices throughout enterprise hours. Northwest Registered Agent fees $39 for North Dakota LLC formation and features a free 12 months of registered agent service (then $125/12 months).
File the Articles of Group
Submit your Articles of Group on-line or by mail to the North Dakota Secretary of State. The state submitting payment is $135, non-refundable. On-line submitting processes in 2-5 enterprise days.
Get hold of Your EIN (Federal Tax ID)
Apply for an Employer Identification Quantity without charge at IRS.gov. The applying takes 5-Quarter-hour and the EIN is issued instantly on-line. An EIN is required for enterprise banking, hiring staff, and submitting taxes. Any formation service charging for EIN help is charging for a free authorities service.
Draft an Working Settlement
An working settlement just isn’t legally required in North Dakota however is crucial for any LLC with a number of members and strongly advisable for single-member LLCs. It defines possession percentages, revenue distribution, administration authority, and dissolution procedures. With out one, North Dakota default guidelines apply. Northwest Registered Agent consists of an working settlement template with its formation bundle.
Meet North Dakota Ongoing Compliance
North Dakota LLCs file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by November 15 annually (N.D.C.C. part 10-32.1-89), utilizing the FirstStop on-line portal. The payment is $50. A $50 late penalty applies instantly after November 15, doubling the overall to $100. First annual report is due November 15 of the 12 months after the calendar 12 months of formation. Farm and ranch LLCs have completely different deadlines – contact the Secretary of State instantly.
North Dakota LLC Prices: Full 2026 Breakdown
One-Time Formation Prices
| Value Merchandise | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Articles of Group (state payment) | $135 |
| Identify reservation (non-compulsory) | $10 (non-compulsory, 12 months) |
| EIN (IRS.gov) | Free |
| Working settlement (Northwest template) | Free with $39 service payment |
| Registered agent 12 months 1 (Northwest) | Free (included) |
| Minimal whole with Northwest | $174 |
Annual Recurring Prices
| Value Merchandise | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Annual Report | $50 |
| Registered agent renewal (Northwest) | $125/12 months (after free 12 months 1) |
| State earnings tax | Graduated: 1.10% to 2.50% |
3-12 months Complete Value Comparability
| Possibility | 12 months 1 | 12 months 2 | 12 months 3 | 3-12 months Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $174 | $125 (RA) + $50 report | $125 (RA) + $50 report | ~$524 |
| DIY (self as RA) | $135 | $50 report | $50 report | ~$235 |
| DIY + separate RA service | $135 + ~$125 RA | ~$125 RA + $50 report | ~$125 RA + $50 report | ~$610 |
Utilizing Northwest Registered Agent prices $39 above the state payment however features a free 12 months of registered agent service, an working settlement template, same-day submitting, and compliance reminders to your North Dakota annual report.
North Dakota LLC Ongoing Compliance
North Dakota LLCs file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by November 15 annually (N.D.C.C. part 10-32.1-89), utilizing the FirstStop on-line portal. The payment is $50. A $50 late penalty applies instantly after November 15, doubling the overall to $100. First annual report is due November 15 of the 12 months after the calendar 12 months of formation. Farm and ranch LLCs have completely different deadlines – contact the Secretary of State instantly.

North Dakota has one of many lowest particular person earnings tax charges within the nation, with a prime price of simply 2.50%. LLC pass-through earnings is taxed at charges from 1.10% to 2.50%, making North Dakota very favorable for LLC house owners who reside within the state. The annual report deadline of November 15 can also be distinctive – most states use spring deadlines, so set a calendar reminder for fall.
Further compliance for North Dakota LLCs:
- State earnings taxes: North Dakota LLC pass-through earnings is topic to Graduated: 1.10% to 2.50%. Preserve correct information and work with a North Dakota-licensed CPA.
- Federal taxes: Single-member LLCs file Schedule C; multi-member LLCs file Type 1065 and difficulty Okay-1s.
- Enterprise licenses: Test your metropolis and county for any required native licenses or permits.
- EIN: Required for any LLC with staff and for enterprise financial institution accounts.
Incessantly Requested Questions: North Dakota LLC Formation
The state submitting payment for Articles of Group is $135, filed by means of the FirstStop on-line portal. Utilizing Northwest Registered Agent provides $39, for a $174 year-one whole, together with a free first 12 months of registered agent service.
North Dakota LLC annual experiences are due November 15 annually, filed by means of the FirstStop portal. The payment is $50. A $50 late penalty applies instantly after November 15, making the overall $100 if late. The primary annual report is due November 15 of the 12 months following the calendar 12 months of formation.
North Dakota has a graduated particular person earnings tax from 1.10% to 2.50%, one of many lowest within the nation. LLC pass-through earnings is taxed at these charges in your private North Dakota return, making it a positive state for enterprise house owners.
No. North Dakota doesn’t impose a franchise tax on LLCs. Your most important state compliance prices are the $135 formation payment (one-time) and $50 annual report. Farm and ranch LLCs have extra reporting necessities particular to their trade.
On-line submitting by means of the FirstStop portal sometimes processes in 2-5 enterprise days. Mail or fax submitting takes 5-10 enterprise days. There isn’t a devoted expedited processing possibility, although on-line filings are typically sooner.
Official Sources & References
The submitting steps, charges, and tax guidelines on this web page are checked in opposition to major authorities sources. Confirm every element instantly:
- Official state resource (firststop.sos.nd.gov)
- IRS – Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- IRS – Apply for an EIN
- SBA – Choose a Business Structure
Instructional content material, not individualized authorized or tax recommendation. State charges and guidelines change; verify present necessities with the state company, the IRS, or a licensed skilled earlier than submitting.

