The True Cost Worksheet compares listed LLC state costs over a selected period. Read the source label, verification date and notes beside each entry before using the estimate. This page explains what the figures cover and how the calculation works.

FlagState is an independent publication. The worksheet is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Verified, sourced and pending

Verified means the ledger entry has high-confidence support from a directly reviewed official source, such as a state fee schedule, statute or government page. Its date records the source check supporting that entry.

Sourced means the entry has lower confidence. Evidence may have come through an indirect route, such as an official filed document found through search, rather than a directly readable fee schedule. The label keeps that limitation visible.

Pending means the entry is not available for a cost calculation. The calculator also withholds a total when required filing or recurring-fee data is missing.

A source date is not a guarantee that a fee will remain unchanged. Check the relevant state’s current requirements before submitting a filing.

The formation-cost scenario

Choose a one-, three- or five-year period. The model adds the formation filing fee, each listed annual fee once per year, each listed biennial fee in years one, three and five as applicable, and each listed one-time fee once.

For a three-year comparison, that means three occurrences of an annual fee and two occurrences of a biennial fee. This is a consistent formation scenario, not a calendar of the dates on which your bills will fall due.

When the ledger records a different amount for submitting a conditional fee with formation, the model uses that formation amount. Read the accompanying note for applicability and any different later-filing charge.

Registered-agent estimates

The optional registered-agent line adds a low-to-high annual budgeting estimate across the selected period. It is separate from the state fees. Where a state-specific range is unavailable, the calculator can use its configured general estimate.

That estimate is not a current offer, renewal quote or guarantee of market pricing. Check the chosen provider’s terms and whether an eligible alternative to a paid service meets your state’s requirements.

What the estimate leaves out

The model includes the listed filing, recurring and one-time state charges. It does not calculate every cost of operating a business. Exclusions include variable taxes beyond the flat amounts shown, unlisted local or industry licenses, and registration in additional states.

Provider package charges, professional advice, tax preparation and other services also need a separate budget. Registered-agent costs are included only when you select that estimate. Read state-specific qualifications for costs that depend on assets, income, publication requirements or other circumstances.

A low modeled total does not establish that a state, company structure or provider suits your business. Check your operating locations, home-country obligations and account eligibility separately.

Dates and corrections

Each fee entry keeps its own verification date. A sitewide most-recent-check date is the latest of those dates; it does not mean every entry was checked together. An article revision date records an editorial update and may differ from the dates of its sources.

If a figure appears wrong, send the page, the figure and the relevant source to hello@flagstatehq.com. A verified fee correction updates the ledger and its source-check date. Documented corrections appear in the corrections record.

FlagState may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through disclosed affiliate links. The state-cost calculation uses the ledger and the rules above; commission rates are not calculation inputs. Buying a service is separate from using the free worksheet.

Open the True Cost Worksheet to compare the same period across your selected states.