Texas LLC Administrative and Fee Overview
The table below outlines core state fees, forms, and compliance requirements in Texas (listed alphabetically, not ranked).
| Requirement or Fee | Amount or Deadline | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Assumed Name Certificate | $25.00 fee (Form 503) | Texas Secretary of State Form 503 Instructions |
| Beneficial Ownership Information | Exempt for US-formed entities | FinCEN BOI Guidance |
| Certificate of Formation Fee | $300.00 (Form 205) | Texas Secretary of State Form 205 Instructions |
| Credit Card Convenience Fee | 2.7% of total fees | Texas Secretary of State Form 205 Instructions |
| Employer Identification Number | $0 (free from IRS) | Internal Revenue Service |
| General State Business License | None required in Texas | Texas Secretary of State Foreign Entities FAQs |
| Registered Agent Requirement | Physical Texas address required | Texas Secretary of State Registered Agent FAQs |
| Texas Franchise Tax & PIR | Due May 15 annually | Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts |
DIY Filing vs. Using a Commercial LLC Service
Forming a Texas limited liability company directly requires submitting Form 205 online through SOSDirect. According to the Texas Secretary of State Form 205 Instructions, the state charges a $300.00 filing fee, and credit card payments carry a 2.7% convenience fee. While submitting Form 205 establishes your legal entity, completing this initial document is only the first step in operating a compliant business.
Registered Agent Representation and Privacy
Every Texas LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical street address in Texas who is available during standard business hours to receive service of process and official government mail. Per the Texas Secretary of State Registered Agent FAQs, an entity may not serve as its own registered agent. An individual owner or member can act as the agent if they reside in Texas and stay available at that address during business hours. However, listing a personal home address makes that location part of the public state registry. Furthermore, the Texas Secretary of State Registered Agent FAQs state that failure to maintain a registered agent risks involuntary termination of the LLC by the state. A commercial service acts as your registered agent, keeping your personal street address private and ensuring legal documents are received reliably.
Tax Registrations and Governance
After state registration, owners must handle tax setups and internal governance rules:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): An EIN is required to open business bank accounts and manage employment taxes. Based on Internal Revenue Service rules, an EIN is $0 (free) directly from the IRS. You must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN, and you should never pay a third party for an EIN.
- Operating Agreement: Texas does not require LLCs to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State. However, an internal operating agreement is essential to define ownership percentages and governance rules. DIY filers must draft this document themselves, whereas commercial services supply pre-built templates.
- Texas Franchise Tax and Public Information Report: According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, every Texas LLC must complete an annual tax filing due May 15. This filing includes both the Texas franchise tax report and a Public Information Report (PIR). Even if your LLC owes zero tax based on revenue thresholds, failing to file the annual Public Information Report risks penalties and forfeiture of your entity's right to do business in Texas.
- Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI): Based on FinCEN BOI guidance effective August 14, 2026, entities created in the United States are exempt from federal BOI reporting.
- Trade Names and Licensing: Per the Texas Secretary of State Foreign and Out-of-State Entities guidance, there is no general business license in Texas at the state level. However, if you conduct business under a name other than your legal LLC name, the Texas Secretary of State Form 503 Instructions specify that filing an Assumed Name Certificate carries a $25.00 filing fee.
Provider Comparison
When evaluating commercial formation services, features and package structures vary across national providers. The major services operating in Texas are listed below (listed alphabetically, not ranked):
- Bizee: Offers basic formation filings with optional add-on features (pricing standard as of 2026).
- LegalZoom: Features general corporate filings, with statutory agent representation billed separately as of 2026.
- Northwest Registered Agent: Emphasizes address privacy and statutory agent representation (pricing standard as of 2026).
- Rocket Lawyer: Pairs business setup options with legal document subscriptions (pricing standard as of 2026).
- Tailor Brands: Combines state filings with logo creation and web tools (pricing standard as of 2026).
- ZenBusiness: Provides structured business creation and ongoing compliance tracking.
For ZenBusiness, pricing as of 2026 is Starter at $0 plus state fees, Pro at $199 per year, and Premium at $299 per year. Registered agent service is a separate $199 per year add-on across all tiers, including Premium, discounted to $99 for the first year when you form your business through them.
Deciding Between DIY and a Commercial Service
If you are comfortable tracking state deadlines, acting as your own registered agent at a physical Texas address, securing your free EIN directly from the IRS, and filing your annual Public Information Report with the Texas Comptroller by May 15, filing DIY saves money by eliminating third-party fees.
Conversely, if you want to keep your personal home address off public state records, need sample legal templates, or prefer automated alerts for state filings, using a commercial service is a practical choice. For founders seeking an organized digital dashboard to manage ongoing filings, choosing ZenBusiness offers an effective combination of ongoing support and structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Texas Certificate of Formation require?
The Certificate of Formation (Form 205) submitted to the Texas Secretary of State requires designating a registered agent with a physical Texas address. An entity may not serve as its own registered agent, and failure to maintain one risks involuntary termination. An operating agreement is an internal document that defines business ownership and is not submitted to the state.
When are the Texas franchise tax and Public Information Report due?
The annual Texas franchise tax and Public Information Report are due May 15 each year to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Active LLCs must submit this annual filing to remain in good standing with the state.
How do you file the Texas Public Information Report?
You complete the annual Public Information Report online through the Texas Comptroller portal alongside your annual franchise tax details prior to the May 15 deadline.
Do I need to pay a fee to obtain an EIN for my Texas LLC?
No. An EIN is $0 (free) directly from the IRS. You must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN, and you should never pay a third party for an EIN.
Is a general business license required for a Texas LLC?
There is no general business license in Texas at the state level. However, if your LLC operates under an assumed name, filing Form 503 carries a $25.00 filing fee with the Texas Secretary of State.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Form 205 - Instructions for Certificate of Formation - Limited Liability Company”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Registered Agent FAQs”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Form 503 - Instructions for Assumed Name Certificate”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Formation of Texas Entities FAQs”
- Texas Secretary of State, “Foreign or Out-of-State Entities”
llcdiyorservice.com is a commercial comparison site. Some links on this page earn an affiliate commission, which never influences our editorial recommendations or route evaluations. This is general information rather than legal advice and requirements vary by state and change over time.