Vermont LLC Cost (2026): $155 Articles and a $45 Report Tied to Your Fiscal Year
Vermont’s LLC fees follow a simple pattern: a one-time $155 to form and a $45 report each year. The detail that sets Vermont apart is the report deadline, which is tied to your LLC’s fiscal year rather than a single date for everyone. The other cost to plan for is not a filing fee at all but Vermont’s minimum business tax.
The $155 Articles of Organization
A Vermont LLC is created by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division. The fee is $155. The articles identify the LLC’s name, registered agent, principal office, and fiscal year end month, plus whether it is member-managed or manager-managed.
The fiscal year entry matters more than it looks, because it sets your annual report deadline for as long as the LLC exists. Most small LLCs choose December, which puts them on a calendar year.
Northwest Registered Agent
Vermont’s business search displays your registered agent address to the public. $39 formation + $155 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.
A Report Deadline Set by Your Fiscal Year
Vermont LLCs file an annual report within three months after the end of their fiscal year. For a calendar-year LLC that is March 31. An LLC with a June 30 fiscal year end files by September 30. The fee is $45, and the first report is due in the year after the Secretary of State approves the LLC.
An LLC that does not file can be administratively dissolved. Reinstatement requires filing the missing reports and paying the associated fees, which costs far more than filing the $45 report on time.
Filing in Vermont’s Newer Online System
The Corporations Division moved to a new online business filing system in 2025. Existing businesses may need to create a new account and link their LLC before filing their next report. If you formed your LLC before the switch, do that well before your deadline so an account problem does not turn into a late filing. New LLCs file their articles and all future reports in the same system.
The $250 Minimum Business Entity Tax
Vermont’s Department of Taxation applies a $250 minimum tax to LLCs and other business entities that file Vermont business income tax returns. A multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership, or an LLC taxed as a corporation, should expect to owe at least $250 a year even without a profit. How a single-member LLC is treated depends on its federal tax classification, so confirm it with the Department of Taxation or a Vermont tax preparer.
Where it applies, the minimum tax is more than five times the annual report fee and should be part of any honest Vermont LLC budget.
Vermont 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $194 ($155 + $39, RA free) | $170 ($45 report + $125 RA) | $170 (same) | $534 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $254 ($155 + $0 + $99 RA) | $244 ($45 + $199 RA) | $244 (same) | $742 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $155 (Articles of Organization) | $45 (annual report) | $45 (annual report) | $245 |
A DIY Vermont LLC costs $245 in Secretary of State filing fees over three years, before the $250 minimum business entity tax where it applies. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one.
Form your Vermont LLC for $39 + $155 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Vermont LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Vermont LLC may not be worth it yet: if your LLC would owe the $250 minimum tax and your business is still small, the combined yearly cost of about $295 plus agent service is significant. Operating as a sole proprietor until revenue is steady is a reasonable way to start.
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 Vermont?
$155 for the Articles of Organization. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $194, including a free first year of registered agent service.
When is the Vermont LLC annual report due?
Within three months after the end of your fiscal year, which is March 31 for calendar-year LLCs. The fee is $45.
Is there a minimum tax for Vermont LLCs?
LLCs that file Vermont business income tax returns are generally subject to a $250 minimum business entity tax.
When is the first Vermont annual report due?
In the year after the Secretary of State approves the LLC, within three months of the fiscal year end.
