How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Idaho?

Idaho LLC Online Filing Fee: $100

The main cost to start an LLC is the $100 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Organization online with the Idaho Secretary of State.

For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Idaho Annual Report Fee: Free

Idaho requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State.

You can submit this form through the Idaho SOSBiz website. It is due each year at the end of the month the company was formed in.

Registered Agent Fee

In Idaho you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered agent is required, Northwest Registered Agent provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Idaho Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Idaho

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Idaho, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Idaho.

The cost for registering an Idaho foreign LLC is $100. You can register a foreign LLC in Idaho by filing a Foreign Registration Statement for a Limited Liability Company.

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Idaho. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting an Idaho business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to four months prior to LLC formation by filing an Application for Reservation of Legal Entity Name and paying the $20 filing fee.

Foreign LLC Name Registration:
If a Foreign LLC’s name is not available in Idaho, they can file an Application for Registration of Foreign Name and pay a $60 filing fee to register a new name.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File a Certificate of Assumed Business Name and pay the $25 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certified Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your Idaho business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying $10 plus $0.25 for each page.

Certificate of Good Standing:
You can obtain an Idaho certificate of good standing by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $10 fee. A certificate of good standing is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Idaho

Step 1: Name Your Idaho LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File a Certificate of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Idaho LLC

When you name your Idaho LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Idaho
2. Meets Idaho naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Idaho guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Idaho.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Idaho must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Idaho registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Idaho
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization

The Idaho Certificate of Organization is a document that is filed with the Idaho Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Organization is $100 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Organization, visit our How to File the Idaho Certificate of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Idaho LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Idaho LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees