Is a $0 or $39 LLC formation really $0 or $39? How to read the fine print
Usually not the whole bill. The state filing fee is added at checkout and the registered agent is often priced separately or only free for year one. Mainstay Filing shows one number instead: $199 a year, renewing at $199, with state fees passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Mainstay Filing
$199 a year, same at renewal
- $199 a year covers formation prepared and filed, the registered agent all year, the annual report prepared and filed, and the EIN application; the price is the same for every entity type and state
- There is no add-on menu: no EIN add-on, no operating-agreement upcharge, no rush tier and no compliance plan
- State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay
Mainstay Filing pricing, FAQ and services pages, read October 25, 2026.
A worked example, year one and year two
Idaho has a middle-of-the-range state filing fee ($100), so we use it to show how the totals move.
| Service | Advertised package | Year 1 with agent and state fee | Year 2 service price | Two years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstay Filing | $199 | $299 | $199 | $498 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | $139 | $125 | $264 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 | $199 | $199 | $398 |
| Bizee | $0 | $100 | $149 | $249 |
| LegalZoom | $0 | $349 | $249 | $598 |
The seven questions to ask before you pay
- What does the big number buy? A package price is for the paperwork the provider prepares. The state’s filing fee is separate and goes to the state.
- Is the registered agent in it? Some packages include the agent for the first year only; others sell it separately from day one.
- What does year two cost? Find the renewal price before you pay. If the page does not state it, treat the first-year price as an introduction.
- Who files the annual report? Many states require one. Some providers charge a fee on top of the state’s to file it; some include it.
- What are the mail limits? A number of free scans a year, then a per-piece fee, is common. Ask what counts as a piece.
- Is the EIN included? Some providers charge for it. Ask what founders without an SSN or ITIN pay; Mainstay Filing charges a one-time $99 for that case.
- How do you cancel? Look for auto-renewal wording and whether a filing already submitted can be refunded.
What you pay at checkout in your state
| State | State filing fee | Mainstay Filing | The $39 package | The $0 packages (lowest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $236 | $435 | $275 | $236 |
| Alaska | $250 | $449 | $289 | $250 |
| Arizona | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| Arkansas | $45 | $244 | $84 | $45 |
| California | $70 | $269 | $109 | $70 |
| Colorado | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $319 | $159 | $120 |
| Delaware | $110 | $309 | $149 | $110 |
| Florida | $125 | $324 | $164 | $125 |
| Georgia | $110 | $309 | $149 | $110 |
| Hawaii | $51 | $250 | $90 | $51 |
| Idaho | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Illinois | $150 | $349 | $189 | $150 |
| Indiana | $95 | $294 | $134 | $95 |
| Iowa | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| Kansas | $85 | $284 | $124 | $85 |
| Kentucky | $40 | $239 | $79 | $40 |
| Louisiana | $125 | $324 | $164 | $125 |
| Maine | $175 | $374 | $214 | $175 |
| Maryland | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $699 | $539 | $500 |
| Michigan | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| Minnesota | $155 | $354 | $194 | $155 |
| Mississippi | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| Missouri | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| Montana | $35 | $234 | $74 | $35 |
| Nebraska | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Nevada | $425 | $624 | $464 | $425 |
| New Hampshire | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| New Jersey | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| New Mexico | $50 | $249 | $89 | $50 |
| New York | $200 | $399 | $239 | $200 |
| North Carolina | $125 | $324 | $164 | $125 |
| North Dakota | $135 | $334 | $174 | $135 |
| Ohio | $99 | $298 | $138 | $99 |
| Oklahoma | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Oregon | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $324 | $164 | $125 |
| Rhode Island | $150 | $349 | $189 | $150 |
| South Carolina | $110 | $309 | $149 | $110 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $349 | $189 | $150 |
| Tennessee | $300 | $499 | $339 | $300 |
| Texas | $300 | $499 | $339 | $300 |
| Utah | $59 | $258 | $98 | $59 |
| Vermont | $155 | $354 | $194 | $155 |
| Virginia | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Washington | $200 | $399 | $239 | $200 |
| West Virginia | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
| Wisconsin | $130 | $329 | $169 | $130 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $299 | $139 | $100 |
Questions
Is a $0 LLC formation really $0?
The package can be $0, but the state filing fee is not ($35 to $500 by state) and the registered agent is usually priced separately after any free period. See the checkout checklist.
Why does the $39 not match the site?
$39 is the package price. At checkout the state filing fee is added, and the agent service is included for the first year only. See why the $39 does not match.
What does Mainstay Filing show at checkout?
One number: $199 a year for formation prepared and filed, the registered agent, the EIN application and the annual report, plus state fees at cost. It renews at $199 a year, with no rate that jumps at renewal and no new line items.