How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire LLC Online Filing Fee: $100

The main cost to start an LLC is the $100 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Formation online with the New Hampshire Department 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.

New Hampshire Annual Report Fee: $100

New Hampshire requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Department of State.

You can submit this form through the NH Quick Start website. It is due on April 1. New Hampshire charges a $50 penalty for failure to file on time.

Registered Agent Fee

In New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

New Hampshire Business Profits Tax: Varies

New Hampshire levies a flat 7.6% tax on LLCs with gross receipts over $92,000. This tax is due on the 15th day of the third month following the close of the tax year.

New Hampshire LLC Business Enterprise Tax: Varies

The Business Enterprise Tax is based upon the earnings of your company. Most companies will need to work with an accountant to determine the exact amount they will have to pay. For more information on the exact tax calculation, read New Hampshire's Department of Revenue website. New Hampshire charges a $50 fee for late filings.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in New Hampshire

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

The cost for registering a New Hampshire foreign LLC is $100. You can register a foreign LLC in New Hampshire by filing an Application for Foreign Limited Liability Company Registration (Form FLLC-1).

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 New Hampshire. 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 a New Hampshire business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing an LLC Name Reservation (Form 1) and paying the $15 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File an Application for Registration of Trade Name (Form TN-1) and pay the $50 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certificate of Good Standing:
You can obtain a New Hampshire certificate of good standing by ordering through the Department of State and paying the $7 fee online or $5 by mail. A certificate of good standing is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in New Hampshire

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

Step 1: Name Your New Hampshire LLC

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

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

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

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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire registered agent must:

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

Step 3: File the Certificate of Formation

The New Hampshire Form LLC-1 - Certificate of Formation is a document that is filed with the New Hampshire Department of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Formation is $100 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Formation, visit our How to File the New Hampshire Certificate of Formation guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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