Perhaps you are hoping to form an LLC in Alabama. People assume that starting an LLC is difficult and costly. However, it’s generally easy, and the cost would vary across states. We have all the info you need to know about the cost of forming an LLC, particularly the LLC cost in Alabama.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Alabama LLC Cost of Filing
Here are the costs involved in forming an LLC in Alabama.
Cost of Filing Formation Certificates
The Alabama Certificate of Formation is responsible for the majority of the cost, which also varies depending on whether you’re forming a domestic LLC or a foreign LLC. Still, you can file both at the Alabama Secretary of State.
Alabama Domestic LLC
- Online Filing costs $208.
- By Mail: Fill out the application form, and send it to Secretary of State Business Services, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616. Costs $200.
Alabama Foreign LLC
- Online Filing costs $156.
- By Mail: Fill out the application form, and send it to Secretary of State Business Services, P.O. Box 5616, Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5616. Costs $150.
Note that filing online is ideal, not only because you need to go to the Secretary of State office, but also it would be faster. You won’t have to wait in a queue in doing so.
Alabama LLC Formation Service or Registered Agent Fee
You need a registered agent to form an LLC in Alabama, hence, added costs for service fees. Here are three of the best LLC services on our list.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $0 + State Fees |
| |
 | $299 + State Fees |
|
Business Permits and Licenses
Business licenses are renewed yearly and depend on your business activity and location, so the cost will vary. Check the Alabama Department of Revenue for regulatory boards or agencies requiring licensing.
Alabama Business Privilege Tax and Annual Report
Once you have your EIN or Employer Identification Number, apart from filing sales tax, the company needs to pay the Business Privilege Tax (BPT) after 2.5 months as an LLC in Alabama. This is a requirement for all LLCs formed in Alabama.
All LLCs need to pay their taxes before the third week of April and it can vary from 0.00025% to 0.000175%, depending on the net worth of the LLC. The exact rate will be obtained based on the entity’s taxable income in the previous year. The minimum amount that the business will have to pay for this tax is $100.
Cost Comparison Among States
Money is needed to operate a company. Also, when forming an LLC, you need to pay some filing fees and other costs like those for the certificate of formation, registered agent, name reservation, and forming a foreign LLC.
Still, every state will have different costs related to forming an LLC. Suppose you are deciding where to form your LLC, it helps to compare costs. Here’s a sample table comparing costs among states to help you decide where to set up our LLC.
| States | Alabama | Tennessee | Georgia | Mississippi | North Carolina |
| Online filing fee | $200 | $300 | $100 for online and $110 for filing by mail | $50 | $125 |
| LLC Annual fee | $100 | $300 minimum | $50 | – | $200 |
| Name reservation fee | $25 for online and $28 for filing by mail | $20 | $25 for online and $35 for filing by mail | $25 | $30 |
| Sales Tax | 4% | 7% | 4% | 7% | 4.75% |
You can do further comparisons by checking out the costs in other states.
When it comes to having an LLC in Alabama, it won’t cost too much. Those who want to start an LLC in Alabama can go into the manufacturing sector or retail trade. Both these sectors are well known and contribute a great amount to the GDP too.
Other Costs
- Alabama Name Reservation: $28 for online filing or $25 by mail
- Doing Business As (DBA): $30 for online filing or $31.20 if filing by mail
- Certified Document Copies: $10 + $2 per page.
- Certified of Good Standing: $14
- Business Domain Name and Website: depend on your preference, but domain name could be as low as $2.99/yr at NameCheap, and web hosting is at least $30/mo at Kinsta.
- Online workspace: at least $4.20/mo for GSuite.
- Business Insurance: would vary depending on insurance type–whether general liability insurance or professional liability insurance–and coverage.
- Dissolution of Alabama LLC: $100
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an LLC in Alabama
To maintain an LLC in Alabama you will need to pay an annual fee of $100 along with sales tax (4%), Business Privilege Tax and federal taxes.
Running a business can be a rewarding experience, but expenses associated with incorporating a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Alabama can quickly add up. Although each state has its own set of regulations and fees when it comes to LLC formation, the cost of maintaining an LLC depends on various factors, including required licenses, taxes, and annual reports. When considering starting a business in Alabama, it’s important to understand the expenses associated with LLCs before making a decision.
Alabama LLCs incur various costs, including state fees. The cost to form an LLC in Alabama varies, depending on the type of LLC. Additionally, processes such as naming and fully executing the company must occur before submitting the required documentation and fees. Initial and ongoing filing fees must be paid for the LLC to register with the state, and businesses may also need additional licenses or permits. The Alabama Secretary of State charges $150, whereas doing it online may cost only $100. The fees vary, depending on filing time, change of registered agent, expedite requests, and several other factors.
Compared to many other states, Alabama’s taxes are relatively burdenless on LLCs. The State is known for having one of the lowest property tax rates in the United States. However, incurring big profits can be stressful for business owners since they have 3 separate tax returns obligations on hand, which includes Federal Income tax, Personal Income Tax, State Income Tax.
Annual Reports, per compliance will require checking licenses and additional expenses such as audits or account reconciliation costs. For Limited Liability Companies, annual reports fees are meant to opt in detail regarding the status, licensed agents, taxation, and business identification particulars. Corporations and nonprofits are charged accordingly, though their respective charges often fall or rest a bit higher compared to LLCs preferred around them.
Destined Risk Costs can be another burden associated with maintaining an LLC. Apart from adhering to general maintenance costs, companies are required to have fiduciary agreements and buy insurance coverage depending upon their activity levels, which is beyond the state fees, taxes, and overheads incurred. Because maintaining LLC compliances mandate affirming ownership, disburdening dual liability, defending all regulations and amending any periodical printings necessary; from making silent decisions, starting shrewd collaboration, diffusing partial ownership, bringing in employees, attracting customers, upon turnover of shareholders and fiscal accountabilities with contracts settling dates; Maintaining your LLC compliances while the special continued system translates and sets in progressively, demands that money is thought to prescribe and manage many other LLC sustainability prospects present other LLCs run similar sustenance costs that will overlay features wherever they are held.
In conclusion, understanding the expenses involved in maintaining an LLC in Alabama is crucial for anyone interested in establishing a business within the State’s territory. By knowing the various fees and taxes involved, business owners can ensure they have an accurate forecast throughout their enterprise lives. Incorporating and establishing a valuable LLC is an immense expectation with stability to thrive; Therefore, understanding compliance requirements but offering patience and penny-pinching services relevant to determine compliances adequately metered up with outcome sustainability and independent necessity, or in conjunction with other investors and business objectves aid entrepreneurs and LLC business owners start-out with assurance of a plan manageable long-term maintenance-preservations for Alabama businesses.
F.A.Qs
It is possible to form an LLC without professional help, but forms still have associated costs, regardless of where your LLC is formed.
It is difficult to say whether forming an LLC is expensive. Nevertheless, the cost could be anywhere from $40 to $500. If you refuse to hire professionals, you’ll still have expenses like form fees to cover.
The need to separate personal money from business funds, thus necessitating the creation of a business bank account for your LLC.
In Conclusion
The cost of Alabama is much lower compared to other forms of business. Apart from the state filing fees and annual taxes, you might bear the cost of the registered agent. Compare the price of professional LLC services and choose the most affordable one.
