Free LLC & corporation guides

Start your business for $0 + the state fee.

Plain-English, step-by-step guides to forming an LLC or corporation yourself, or with a free formation service. No upsells you don’t need.

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Clay illustration of a small business owner placing the last block on her block-built storefront

How it works

Three steps to make it official

1

Pick your structure

LLC, corporation, nonprofit or partnership. We compare them in plain English so you can choose with confidence.

2

File with your state

Submit your formation papers on your state’s business website. The state filing fee is the only cost you can’t skip.

3

Get your free EIN

Apply on IRS.gov in minutes. An EIN is always free from the IRS, so never pay a middleman for one.

Business types

Which business type fits you?

Most small businesses choose an LLC. Here is the one-line version of each, with a guide behind every card.

LLC: a small shop protected by a shield

LLC

Liability protection with simple pass-through taxes. The most popular choice for small businesses.

C corporation: an office tower with stock certificates

C corporation

Taxed separately from its owners. Built for raising money from investors.

S corporation: business income passing through to the owner

S corporation

A tax election that passes profits through to owners. Up to 100 shareholders.

Nonprofit: hands holding a community building

Nonprofit

Formed for a mission, not profit. Can apply to the IRS for tax-exempt status.

Partnership: two business partners shaking hands

Partnership

Two or more owners who share the profits, the decisions and the responsibility.

No fine print

What “free” really means

Every state charges a fee to form an LLC or corporation. It goes to the state, and nobody can waive it. “Free” means $0 in service fees on top of that, and we always show you the do-it-yourself route first.

Guides

Find the guide you need

Search every guide, filter by topic, or browse your state.

51 guides

State guideHow to Start an LLC in West Virginia (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in West Virginia: the $100 state fee, 7 steps, the $25 annual report and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Vermont (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in Vermont: the $155 state fee, a free EIN, the $45 annual report, and when a formation service is worth paying for.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in South Dakota (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in South Dakota: $150 online filing fee, free EIN, $70 annual report, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in New Hampshire (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in New Hampshire: the $100 state fee, seven steps, a free EIN, and the April 1 annual report. Updated for 2026.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Montana (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in Montana for a $35 state fee. See costs, 7 steps, annual report due dates, and when a formation service is worth paying for.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Idaho (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Idaho: the $100 online filing fee, the $0 annual report, a free EIN, and every step to file it yourself.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Arkansas (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Arkansas: $45 online filing fee, free EIN, and the $150 annual report due May 1. Step-by-step 2026 guide.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Oklahoma (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Oklahoma for a $100 state fee. See costs, 7 steps, the $25 annual certificate, and when a formation service helps.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Wyoming (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Wyoming: the $100 state fee, a free EIN, the $60 minimum annual license tax, and DIY vs. service costs.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Delaware (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Delaware: $110 state filing fee, $400 annual tax due June 1, and a free EIN. See each step and when a service helps.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Utah (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Utah for a $59 state fee. See each step, the $18 annual renewal, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Connecticut (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Connecticut: the $120 state fee, 7 steps, the $80 annual report, and when a formation service is worth paying for.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Oregon (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in Oregon: the state fee is $100, an EIN is free, and a service is optional. Follow the steps and see your first-year costs.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Kentucky (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Kentucky for the $40 state filing fee. Step by step: name, registered agent, Form KLC, free EIN, and annual report.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Louisiana (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Louisiana: the $125 state fee, 7 steps, the $35 annual report, and when a formation service is worth it. Updated Oct…Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Alabama (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Alabama: the $200 state fee, 7 steps, the yearly privilege tax return, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Maryland (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Maryland: the $100 SDAT filing fee, 7 steps, the $300 annual report due April 15, and DIY vs. service costs.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Missouri (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Missouri: the $50 online state fee, a free EIN, no annual report, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Indiana (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Indiana for a $75 state fee. Step-by-step filing, costs, free EIN, and the $31 report, verified October 2026.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Colorado (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Colorado for a $50 state fee. See every step, the $25 yearly report, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Massachusetts (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in Massachusetts: the $500 state filing fee, the $500 annual report, a free EIN, and every step in order.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Arizona (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Arizona for a $50 state fee. Get the filing steps, publication rule, free EIN, and DIY vs. service costs.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Washington (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Washington: the $180 state fee, a 7-step checklist, the $70 annual report, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Virginia (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in Virginia for a $100 state fee. Follow the steps, see annual costs, and learn when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in New Jersey (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in New Jersey: the $125 state filing fee, the $75 annual report, a free EIN, and a step-by-step filing walkthrough.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in North Carolina (2026 Guide)How to start an LLC in North Carolina: the $125 state fee, 7 steps, the annual report due April 15, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Michigan (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Michigan for a $50 state fee. See each step, the $25 annual statement, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Ohio (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Ohio for a $99 state fee. Follow 7 steps, get a free EIN, and skip the annual report. Updated October 2026.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Illinois (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Illinois for a $150 state fee. See each step, the $75 annual report, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Pennsylvania: the $125 state fee, step-by-step filing, a free EIN, and the $7 annual report. Updated October 2026.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in New York (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in New York: the $200 state fee, the newspaper publication rule, a free EIN, and the Biennial Statement, step by step.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Georgia (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Georgia: the $110 state fee, Form CD 030, the $50 annual registration, a free EIN, and DIY vs. service costs.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in California (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in California: $70 state filing fee, $800 annual tax, a free EIN, and every step in order. Verified October 2026.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Florida (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Florida for a $125 state fee. See the 7 steps, DIY vs. service costs, and the annual report deadline.Read the guide →State guideHow to Start an LLC in Texas (2026 Guide)Learn how to start an LLC in Texas for a $300 state fee. See each step, the May 15 franchise tax report, and when a formation service is worth it.Read the guide →Structure & taxesLLC vs S Corp: How the Two Actually DifferLLC vs S corp isn’t either-or. Learn how the two differ, when an S election may pay off, and the Form 2553 deadline to know.Read the guide →Forming your businessLLC Filing Fees by State (2026): Map and Verified CostsCompare LLC filing fees by state, from $40 in Kentucky to $500 in Massachusetts, plus annual report costs and the Oct. 1, 2026 Louisiana change.Read the guide →ComplianceDo You Still Need to File a BOI Report in 2026? What U.S. Companies Need to KnowThe BOI report requirement 2026 no longer applies to U.S. companies. See what changed, which state and IRS tasks remain, and which old guides to…Read the guide →Forming your businessHow to Choose the Best LLC Formation Services in 2026: What to CompareComparing the best LLC formation services of 2026 on price, registered agent terms, support hours, and extras, plus what to check before you pay.Read the guide →Forming your businessHow to Incorporate Your Business for Free in 2026Are you looking for a way to incorporate your business without all the confusing overpriced fees? Well, the HowtoIncorporateforFree.com team has put…Read the guide →Forming your businessHow Easy It Is to Incorporate Your Business with Bizee (Formerly Incfile)Are you looking for a way to incorporate your business without all the confusing overpriced fees? Well, the HowtoIncorporateforFree.com team has put…Read the guide →Forming your businessHow to Incorporate Your Business in 6 Easy StepsAre you looking for a way to incorporate your business without all the confusing overpriced fees? Well, the HowtoIncorporateforFree.com team has put…Read the guide →Structure & taxesTax Implications of Business Incorporation: What You Need to KnowUnlock the secrets to tax savings and financial success for your small business! Discover the tax implications of business incorporation and how you…Read the guide →Forming your businessCommon Mistakes to Avoid When Incorporating Your BusinessAre you considering incorporating your business? Don’t make these costly mistakes that could derail your dreams of success! From choosing the wrong…Read the guide →Structure & taxesKey Benefits of Incorporating Your BusinessAre you tired of putting your personal assets at risk? Want to take your business to the next level with enhanced credibility and access to funding?…Read the guide →Forming your businessUnderstanding the Legal Requirements for Business IncorporationIncorporating your business is a crucial step towards establishing a solid legal foundation and gaining numerous benefits. However, navigating the…Read the guide →Structure & taxesChoosing the Right Business StructureAre you a budding entrepreneur in the process of starting your own business? Choosing the right business structure is one of the most critical…Read the guide →ComplianceCreate Generational Wealth Through IncorporatingUnlock the secrets of creating generational wealth by incorporating and securing a future that echoes your legacy. Embrace the opportunity to leave…Read the guide →Structure & taxesHow to Pay Yourself as a Business OwnerDon’t let the complexity of paying yourself keep you from achieving your goals. Start reading “How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner” and find the…Read the guide →ComplianceThe Mighty Power of Business Credit & ExpansionDon’t let funding limitations hinder your ambitions any longer. Read now to explore “The Mighty Power of Business Credit & Expansion” and embark on a…Read the guide →ComplianceBalance your Books like a Pro!Don’t let financial uncertainties hold you back! Start maximizing your profits, minimizing expenses, and achieving financial stability today. Read…Read the guide →

Ready to make it official?

Form your LLC for $0 + the state fee with Bizee, or follow our free do-it-yourself guide.