LLC Costs in Arizona (AZ)
$175 all-in for your first year - $50 to file, no annual report, plus a registered agent. Arizona is $208 (54%) cheaper than the national average for first-year LLC costs.
Arizona has no annual report requirement, making ongoing maintenance costs very low. One of the most affordable states to maintain an LLC long-term.
Updated 2025 · Source: Arizona Secretary of State
The verdict
Forming an LLC in Arizona costs about $175 in the first year - about 54% below the national average, ranking #1 of 51. Form where you actually operate, out-of-state filing usually adds foreign-registration fees that erase any savings.
Filing fee, annual report and publication rules from the Arizona Secretary of State; registered agent normalized at $125/yr. How we calculate →
Complete Cost Breakdown
- State filing fee $50
- Registered agent $125
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $50 |
| No Annual Report | Free |
| Registered Agent | $125/yr |
| Expedited Filing (optional) | $35 |
| Total, First Year | $175 |
Cheap to start vs. cheap to keep
The one-time filing fee and the recurring annual fee pull in different directions. Here's where Arizona sits against other notable states, bubble size is total first-year cost.
Filing fee vs annual report fee by state, with Arizona highlighted. Source: each Secretary of State.
Where Arizona sits in the national range
First-year LLC cost is 100% cheaper than the rest of the country - Arizona ranks #1 of 51. Every tick is a state; Arizona is the marked one.
What Arizona LLC Costs Really Mean for Small Business Owners
Arizona charges a $50 filing fee to form an LLC and does not charge an annual report fee. Including a registered agent ($125/yr), the total first-year cost is $175. State filing fees alone range from about $40 (Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts); once the first-year annual report, a registered agent, and any mandatory publication are included, total first-year costs run from roughly $175 (Arizona) to over $1,834 (New York). Arizona ranks #1 of 51 states on total first-year cost, which is 54% below the national average of $383.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Business Formation Statistics, Americans filed more than 5 million business applications in 2024, with LLC filings accounting for the majority of new formal business entities. The LLC structure is popular because it provides limited liability protection like a corporation while allowing pass-through taxation (profits flow to the owner's personal return via Schedule C, K-1, or 1040), avoiding the double taxation of C-corps, and it has become the default entity choice for most new small businesses. Arizona offers online filing through the Secretary of State, which typically processes faster than paper submissions. Standard processing in Arizona runs 14-16 business days, with expedited service available for an additional $35 reducing this to 3-5 business days.
Budget beyond the state's direct fees. Most small business owners also spend $500–$2,000 in year one on general liability insurance, $50–$500 on business licenses and permits (varies by city and industry), and optionally $0–$500 on operating agreement templates or attorney review. Federal EIN applications are free through the IRS. If you plan to hire employees, add state unemployment tax registration and workers' compensation insurance. The total "all-in" cost to launch a functional LLC in Arizona - fees, insurance, licensing, and basic setup, typically lands between $675 and $2,675 in year one, depending on industry and coverage choices. Verify all current fees directly with the Arizona Secretary of State at https://azsos.gov before filing, as rates can change with each budget cycle.
How to Form an LLC in Arizona
Your LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company", "LLC", or "L.L.C." and be distinguishable from other businesses registered in Arizona. Check name availability on the Arizona Secretary of State website before filing.
Every Arizona LLC must have a registered agent with a physical street address in Arizona. You can serve as your own agent, use a business member, or hire a professional registered agent service (~$125/year).
Submit your Articles of Organization (sometimes called Certificate of Organization or Certificate of Formation) to the Arizona Secretary of State online. The filing fee is $50. Standard processing time is 14-16 business days. Expedited filing ($35) reduces this to 3-5 business days.
While not always required by Arizona law, an operating agreement is strongly recommended. It defines ownership percentages, management structure, profit distribution, and procedures for adding members or dissolving the LLC. Keep this document internally, you don't file it with the state.
Apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, it's free and takes minutes online. You'll need your EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal taxes. Keep your business finances completely separate from personal accounts.
How Arizona Compares
Arizona is $208 (54%) cheaper than the national average for first-year LLC costs.
Cost rank: #1 out of 51 states (#1 = cheapest).
Common Questions About Arizona LLCs
How long does it take to form an LLC in Arizona?
Standard processing time is 14-16 business days. Expedited service costs $35 and reduces this to 3-5 business days. Online filing, when available, often processes faster than paper filing.
How much does the Arizona annual LLC fee cost?
Arizona does not require an annual report for LLCs, so there is no annual state filing fee. You may still owe state taxes and should maintain your registered agent.
Can I file my Arizona LLC online?
Yes - Arizona offers online LLC filing through the Secretary of State's website at https://azsos.gov. Online filing is generally faster than paper filing.
Do I need an attorney to form an LLC in Arizona?
No, you can form an LLC in Arizona without an attorney by filing directly with the Secretary of State. However, consulting an attorney is recommended for complex ownership structures, operating agreements, industry-specific regulations, or multi-state operations. Attorney fees are not included in our cost estimates.
Arizona LLC Quick Facts
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Sources used on this page
- Arizona Secretary of State - LLC filing fee, annual-report requirement, and processing time. azsos.gov
- Federation of Tax Administrators - cross-check of state fee and tax figures. taxadmin.org
- IRS - federal EIN application and pass-through taxation guidance for LLCs. irs.gov/small-businesses
- U.S. Census Bureau Business Formation Statistics - national context on new business applications. census.gov