Washington DC LLC Cost (2026): $99 to File, a $300 Report Every Two Years, and a Business License
The District of Columbia has one of the lowest LLC formation fees in the country at $99, and then makes it up elsewhere. The report is filed only every other year but costs $300, most businesses also need a Basic Business License, and DC taxes unincorporated businesses directly once they pass a small receipts threshold. All LLC filings go through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
The $99 Articles of Organization
A DC LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization with DLCP’s Corporations Division, usually online through the CorpOnline portal. The fee is $99. If you need approval quickly, DLCP offers expedited review for $50 (three business days) or $100 (same day).
The articles name a registered agent with a physical address in the District. DC’s registered agents must be available during business hours to accept legal papers, which is a practical problem for owners who work outside the office or live in Maryland or Virginia.
Northwest Registered Agent
DC’s business records list your registered agent address publicly. $39 formation + $99 filing 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 $300 Biennial Report
DC LLCs file a report every two years instead of annually. The first report is due April 1 of the year after the LLC is formed, and then every two years after that. An LLC formed in 2026 files by April 1, 2027, again by April 1, 2029, and so on. The fee is $300 per report.
Spread over two years, that is $150 a year, but it arrives as a single payment, which is why the table below shows a spike in year two. A report filed after April 1 adds a $100 late fee, and an LLC that still has not filed by September 1 can be administratively revoked.
The Basic Business License
Most businesses operating in the District need a Basic Business License (BBL) from DLCP before they start. The cost depends on the license category and includes an application fee, a license fee, and an endorsement fee, and licenses are usually issued for two-year terms. Consultants, retailers, and home-based businesses often fall into different categories, so look up your category on DLCP’s site before budgeting. Some activities need no BBL at all, so check before you pay.
The BBL is not included in the 3-year table because the amount varies, but for most DC LLCs it is a real, recurring cost alongside the biennial report.
The Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax
DC’s Office of Tax and Revenue taxes unincorporated businesses, including LLCs taxed as partnerships or sole proprietorships, through the Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax once DC gross receipts exceed $12,000 a year. The rate is 8.25% of taxable income, with a $250 minimum. There are exemptions, notably for certain professional practices where owners earn most of the income through personal services, so a DC tax preparer is worth consulting before you file your first return.
Washington DC 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $138 ($99 + $39, RA free) | $425 ($300 biennial report + $125 RA) | $125 (no report + $125 RA) | $688 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $198 ($99 + $0 + $99 RA) | $499 ($300 + $199 RA) | $199 (no report + $199 RA) | $896 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $99 (Articles of Organization) | $300 (biennial report) | $0 (no report due) | $399 |
A DIY DC LLC costs $399 in DLCP filing fees over three years, before the Basic Business License and any franchise tax. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one, with reminders ahead of the April 1 deadline.
Form your DC LLC for $39 + $99 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My DC LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a DC LLC may not be worth it yet: if you live in Maryland or Virginia and only occasionally work in the District, forming in your home state is usually cheaper, and you register in DC only if your activity there requires it. If your business is based in DC, the LLC is often required for licensing anyway.
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 Washington DC?
$99 for the Articles of Organization with DLCP. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $138, including a free first year of registered agent service.
How often does a DC LLC file a report?
Every two years. The $300 biennial report is due April 1, starting the year after formation.
What is the late fee for a DC biennial report?
$100. An LLC that still has not filed by September 1 can be administratively revoked.
Do DC LLCs need a business license?
Most do. The Basic Business License is issued by DLCP, and its cost depends on the license category.
