Cost Transparency Capsule
The total cost to form and run a US LLC includes government state fees, registered agent fees, and annual compliance reports. New Mexico ($50 one-time, $0/yr annual) and Wyoming ($100 state, $60/yr annual) offer the lowest 5-year cost of ownership for international founders.
US LLC Cost CalculatorCalculate True Cost of Ownership
Compare actual state filing fees, registered agent expenses, and ongoing maintenance across 1, 3, and 5 years. See how much you save with HynoGo vs doola, Firstbase, and Northwest.
US LLC True Cost of Ownership Calculator
Calculate exact government fees, registered agent fees, and maintenance over 1 to 5 years.
Estimated HynoGo Savings
$756 vs doola
Best overall state for non-residents, digital commerce & privacy.
| Platform | State Filing | State Annual Fees | Provider Fees | Total (3-Year TCO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HynoGo (Starter) | $102 | $120 | $135 | $357 |
| doola | $102 | $120 | $891 | $1113 |
| Firstbase.io | $102 | $120 | $696 | $918 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $102 | $120 | $493 | $715 |
| LegalZoom | $102 | $120 | $1075 | $1297 |
Why pay $297–$399/year for generic formation?
HynoGo charges a transparent $0 service fee on Starter tier with $45/year registered agent service across all 50 states, 2-day IRS EIN delivery, and dedicated Mercury & Stripe KYB dossiers.
Anatomy of US LLC Costs for Non-Residents
Understanding where every dollar goes ensures you avoid hidden renewal traps and misleading $0 teaser formations.
Government State Filing Fees
Paid directly to the Secretary of State. Non-negotiable. Ranges from $50 (New Mexico) and $100 (Wyoming) to $300 (Texas). HynoGo passes state fees at exact cost with zero markup.
Registered Agent Representation
Required by law in all 50 states. Traditional corporate agents charge $125–$299/year. HynoGo provides licensed registered agent coverage nationwide for a flat $45/year.
Annual State Reports & Taxes
Mandatory annual compliance filings. Wyoming charges $60/yr; Delaware charges a $300/yr franchise tax; New Mexico charges $0. Calculate your 3-year TCO before choosing your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About US LLC Costs
What is the true cost of forming a US LLC as a non-resident?
The total cost consists of: (1) One-time state filing fee ($50–$300 depending on state), (2) Registered agent representation ($45/year with HynoGo vs $125–$297 with competitors), (3) IRS EIN procurement ($40 expedited on Basic, included in Go Global and Complete, vs $79+ add-ons elsewhere), and (4) Ongoing annual state report or franchise tax fees ($0–$300/year).
Which US state has the lowest ongoing maintenance cost for non-residents?
New Mexico has the absolute lowest ongoing cost: a $50 one-time state filing fee with $0 annual report fees and $0 franchise taxes forever. Wyoming is the second most economical with $100 state filing fee and only $60/year annual report fee.
How much does HynoGo save compared to doola over 3 years?
doola requires a mandatory $297/year recurring subscription ($891 over 3 years + state fees). HynoGo charges $0 service fee for Starter formation with $45/year registered agent ($135 over 3 years + state fees), saving founders over $636 in provider fees over 3 years.
Are there any hidden renewal fees with HynoGo?
No. HynoGo operates with zero hidden renewal traps. You only pay the actual state filing fee and a flat $45/year for registered agent compliance. There are no surprise compliance bundles or forced recurring subscription tiers.
Do non-residents pay US federal income tax on LLC earnings?
Single-member US LLCs owned by foreign non-residents who do not have US Effectively Connected Income (ETBUS) and have no physical US employees, offices, or dependent agents generally owe 0% US federal income tax. However, you must file annual IRS Form 5472 and Form 1120 information returns.
Is registered agent service required every year?
Yes. Every US state legally mandates that an active LLC maintain a Registered Agent with a physical address in the state of formation to accept official legal notices and state correspondence. HynoGo provides registered agent coverage in all 50 US states for $45/year.