Quick answer
The Texas Secretary of State's Form 205 instructions list a $300 filing fee for a Certificate of Formation for a limited liability company. In this calculator, Texas uses $300 as the state filing estimate and does not add a standard annual report fee line item. That does not mean Texas has no ongoing compliance. Texas franchise tax reporting can still apply.
For many small businesses, the decision is less about the annual state fee and more about whether Texas is the real operating state.
| Cost item | Planning estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $300 in this calculator model | Official Texas LLC formation form lists this filing fee. |
| Registered agent | $125 planning estimate | Useful if you do not have a reliable Texas registered office. |
| Franchise tax reporting | May apply | Texas Comptroller rules change by report year; verify current filing requirements. |
| Local permits | Varies | City, county, and industry rules can matter more than the LLC filing itself. |
Why Texas can still be attractive
Texas is a huge market and many businesses choose Texas because they actually operate there. If you live in Texas or the company has Texas operations, forming in Texas may be simpler than forming somewhere else and then registering back into Texas.
The $300 filing fee is higher than states such as Wyoming, Colorado, or Arizona, but it is a one-time formation cost. The larger question is whether the company needs franchise tax reports, local permits, sales tax registration, or professional licenses.
Franchise tax reporting is the key watch-out
The Texas Comptroller publishes annual franchise tax report instructions. For 2026 reports, the Comptroller notes that the No Tax Due Report is not available for 2026 reports. That kind of rule change is exactly why Texas LLC owners should verify the current report year rather than relying on old blog posts.
If the business is actually in Texas, Texas formation is often clean. If you are outside Texas and only like the brand of Texas, compare Wyoming, Delaware, and your real operating state before filing.
Best next step
Estimate the first-year cost with Texas selected, then decide whether a registered agent, formation service, or professional tax support belongs in the startup budget.
Official sources to check
- Texas Form 205 instructions for the $300 Certificate of Formation filing fee.
- Texas Comptroller franchise tax hub for current report-year rules.