If you’re working out how to start an LLC in Idaho, one number matters most: $100. That’s the state filing fee if you file online, and it’s the minimum you’ll pay to get started. Filing on paper costs $120.
You file a single document, the Certificate of Organization, with the Idaho Secretary of State. You can do it yourself in an afternoon. A formation service is optional.
“Free” here means no middleman fee. The state’s fee goes to Idaho and can’t be avoided. Nearly everything else in this guide, including the EIN and the annual report, costs $0.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Idaho Certificate of Organization costs $100 online or $120 on paper. The paper price includes a $20 manual processing fee.
- Idaho’s annual report has a $0 fee, but you still have to file it every year.
- Your annual report is due by the last day of your LLC’s anniversary month.
- An EIN is free from the IRS. Never pay a third party for one.
- A formation service adds its own fee on top of the state’s $100.
Idaho LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Organization (online) | $100 | Filed with the Idaho Secretary of State |
| Certificate of Organization (paper) | $120 | Includes a $20 manual processing fee |
| Annual report | $0 | Due every year by the last day of your anniversary month |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Free at IRS.gov only |
Sources: Idaho Secretary of State business forms page; Idaho Code § 30-21-213; IRS, “Get an employer identification number”. Figures current as of October 11, 2026.
Quick Definitions
- LLC (limited liability company): a business structure that can separate your personal assets from the business’s debts, depending on how you run it.
- Certificate of Organization: Idaho’s name for the document that creates the LLC. Many states call it “articles of organization.”
- Registered agent: the person or company designated to receive legal papers and official state mail for your LLC.
- Member: an owner of the LLC.
- EIN (employer identification number): a federal tax ID for your business.
How to Start an LLC in Idaho, Step by Step
1. Choose and Check Your Business Name
Your LLC’s name needs to be distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state. Use the business name search on the Idaho Secretary of State’s website to see whether your first choice is taken. Search a few spelling variations too, because a close match can cause trouble.
Check the Secretary of State’s site for Idaho’s naming rules, such as words an LLC name must or may not include. Then see whether the matching web domain and social handles are open.
Say you’re forming a one-person consulting LLC called “Bannock Ridge Consulting.” You’d search that exact name, then “Bannock Ridge,” then similar spellings, before you commit.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
Every LLC needs a registered agent, who receives lawsuits, state notices and other official mail for the company. You generally have three options:
- Yourself, if you’re available during business hours at a physical address and you’re fine with that address becoming part of the public record.
- Someone you trust, such as a business partner who agrees to take on the role.
- A commercial registered agent service, a paid option many owners choose for privacy or reliability.
The Idaho Secretary of State’s website explains the registered agent requirements, including what kind of address is acceptable. Read those before you pick someone.
3. File the Certificate of Organization
This step officially creates your LLC.
- Go to the Idaho Secretary of State’s business forms page.
- Choose the Certificate of Organization for a limited liability company.
- Fill in the requested information, such as your LLC’s name and registered agent.
- Pay the filing fee: $100 online, or $120 on paper.
- Save the approved filing for your records.
Online is the cheaper route. Paper filing adds a $20 manual processing fee. For current processing times, check the Idaho Secretary of State’s website.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document. It sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves. It also helps show that your LLC is a real business, separate from you personally.
Even a single-member LLC benefits from having one. Write it, sign it, and keep it with your records. Check the Idaho Secretary of State’s website to confirm what is and isn’t filed with the state.
Your agreement can also say whether the LLC is run by its members or by a designated manager, meaning a person or entity chosen to handle day-to-day operations. In a one-person LLC, that’s usually you.
5. Get Your Free EIN From the IRS
Once your LLC exists, apply for an EIN. According to the IRS, you can get one directly from the agency online in minutes, for free. You never have to pay a fee for an EIN.
Apply only through IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EIN applications are third-party services, not the IRS. The application asks for your LLC’s legal name, a responsible party (usually you) and your Social Security number or other taxpayer ID.
You’ll typically need an EIN to open a business bank account and to hire employees. Many single-member LLC owners get one even when it isn’t strictly required, partly to avoid handing out their Social Security number to clients and banks. If you’re weighing how the LLC will be taxed, our guide to LLC vs. S corp differences walks through the tax setup choices.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
Keep business money separate from personal money. A dedicated account makes bookkeeping and tax time easier, and it supports the line between you and your LLC.
Bring your approved Certificate of Organization, your EIN confirmation and your operating agreement. Novo is an online business checking account aimed at small businesses and freelancers. Compare fees and features against your local bank or credit union before you choose.
7. Put the Annual Report on Your Calendar
Idaho requires an annual report. Set a reminder the day your LLC is approved, because the due date follows the month you formed.
How to Start an LLC in Idaho: DIY vs. a Formation Service
Doing it yourself. Your state cost is the $100 online filing fee ($120 on paper). The annual report carries a $0 fee, and the EIN is free. That makes your first-year government cost $100 if you file online.
Using a formation service. A service charges its own fee on top of the state’s filing fee. Your first-year cost is the $100 state fee plus the service’s price and any add-ons you choose. For real, current prices, see our comparison of the best LLC formation services.
What a service can add:
- Filing on your behalf, so you skip the state’s forms
- Document templates, such as an operating agreement
- Optional registered agent service
- Reminders for ongoing filings
Bizee is one such service. It can make sense if you value convenience, want a bundled registered agent, or would rather hand off the paperwork. Our walkthrough of incorporating with Bizee shows what the process looks like.
If you’re comfortable with one state form and one IRS application, you can skip the service and pay only the state.
Keeping Your Idaho LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is only the first filing. Idaho also requires an annual report to keep your LLC current.
- Fee: $0. According to Idaho Code § 30-21-213, Idaho law sets no fee for the annual report.
- Due date: Starting one year after formation, the report must be received by the close of business on the final day of the LLC’s anniversary month.
- Example: Say your LLC is formed on March 12. Your anniversary month is March, so the report is due by close of business on March 31 of the following year.
Notice the word “received.” The state must have the report by the deadline.
Don’t wait until the last day.
The report is free, so there’s little reason to miss it. For what happens if a report is late, including any penalties or effects on your standing, check the Idaho Secretary of State’s website.
Keep your registered agent’s details current too. If your agent or business information changes, the Secretary of State’s website explains how to update your record.
For the bigger picture, our 7-step formation overview covers the process in any state.
Idaho LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Idaho?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Organization is $100 online or $120 on paper, according to the Idaho Secretary of State. The paper price includes a $20 manual processing fee. Optional extras, like a formation service or a commercial registered agent, cost more.
Does Idaho charge a fee for the annual report?
No. According to Idaho Code § 30-21-213, Idaho law sets no fee for the annual report. It’s still required every year.
When is the Idaho LLC annual report due?
Starting one year after formation, the report must be received by the close of business on the final day of the LLC’s anniversary month, per Idaho Code § 30-21-213. An LLC formed in June, for example, would have its report due by the end of June.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN, and you can apply directly on IRS.gov in minutes. Be cautious of any site that charges for the application.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in Idaho?
No. You can file the Certificate of Organization yourself through the Idaho Secretary of State and pay only the state fee. A service is a convenience, not a requirement.
Your Next Step
Curious how Idaho’s $100 stacks up? Check our LLC filing fees by state page for verified costs across the country, then head to the Idaho Secretary of State’s business forms page to file.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
