LLC Costs in Mississippi (MS)
Open-data reference.
Mississippi has no annual report requirement and one of the lowest filing fees. No expedited service available. One of the cheapest states to form and maintain an LLC.
Updated 2025 · Source: Mississippi Secretary of State
Complete Cost Breakdown
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $50 |
| No Annual Report | Free |
| Registered Agent | $125/yr |
| Total — First Year | $175 |
Cheapest states vs. Mississippi
What Mississippi LLC Costs Really Mean for Small Business Owners
Mississippi 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. Across all 50 states plus DC, LLC formation costs range from roughly $50 (Kentucky, Arkansas, New Mexico) to over $800 (Massachusetts, California with its $800 franchise tax) — a 16x gap. Mississippi ranks #2 of 51 states on total first-year cost, which is 54% below the national average of $381.
According to Census Bureau Business Formation Statistics, Americans filed over 5.5 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. IRS Statistics of Income data shows LLCs represent roughly 70% of new business entity formations nationally. Mississippi offers online filing through the Secretary of State, which typically processes faster than paper submissions. Standard processing in Mississippi runs 5-7 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 Mississippi — 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 Mississippi Secretary of State at https://www.sos.ms.gov before filing, as rates can change with each budget cycle.
How to Form an LLC in Mississippi
Your LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company", "LLC", or "L.L.C." and be distinguishable from other businesses registered in Mississippi. Check name availability on the Mississippi Secretary of State website before filing.
Every Mississippi LLC must have a registered agent with a physical street address in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi Secretary of State online. The filing fee is $50. Standard processing time is 5-7 business days.
While not always required by Mississippi 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 Mississippi Compares
Mississippi is $206 (54%) cheaper than the national average for first-year LLC costs.
Cost rank: #2 out of 51 states (#1 = cheapest).
Common Questions About Mississippi LLCs
How long does it take to form an LLC in Mississippi?
Standard processing time is 5-7 business days. Mississippi does not currently offer expedited processing. Online filing, when available, often processes faster than paper filing.
How much does the Mississippi annual LLC fee cost?
Mississippi 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 Mississippi LLC online?
Yes — Mississippi offers online LLC filing through the Secretary of State's website at https://www.sos.ms.gov. Online filing is generally faster than paper filing.
Do I need an attorney to form an LLC in Mississippi?
No — you can form an LLC in Mississippi 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.
Mississippi LLC Quick Facts
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All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov