Starting an LLC in Indiana costs $75 in state fees if you file online. That’s the whole bill for most people. If you’re wondering how to start an LLC in Indiana without paying a formation company, you can do it yourself in a handful of steps.
According to the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division, the Articles of Organization (the document that legally creates your LLC) cost $75 filed electronically or $100 filed another way, such as by mail. Indiana Code Title 23, Article 0.5, Chapter 9 sets those fees.
“Free” here means no middleman fee. The state fee is unavoidable. Everything else on the basic path costs nothing: a name search, an EIN from the IRS, and an operating agreement you write yourself. A paid service is optional, and we’ll cover when it might be worth it. For the broader picture, see our guide on how to incorporate your business for free.
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Key Takeaways
- The Indiana state filing fee is $75 online or $100 by mail.
- An EIN is free from the IRS. Never pay for one.
- Indiana LLCs file a business entity report every two years, for $31 online or $50 by mail.
- Miss that report and the state will administratively dissolve your LLC.
- A formation service is optional and adds its own fee on top of the state fee.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
Indiana LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (online) | $75 | At formation |
| Articles of Organization (other than electronic) | $100 | At formation |
| Business entity report (online) | $31 | Every two years |
| Business entity report (by mail) | $50 | Every two years |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Whenever you need it |
Sources: Indiana Code Title 23, Article 0.5, Chapter 9; Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division (business entity reports); IRS. Figures current as of October 11, 2026.
Want to see how that stacks up elsewhere? Our LLC filing fees by state guide compares costs across the country.
How to Start an LLC in Indiana, Step by Step
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC needs a name that’s distinguishable from other businesses already on file with the state. Use the business name search on the Indiana Secretary of State’s website to see what’s taken. Look for names that are identical or very close to yours.
Then run a quick trademark and web domain search too. A name can be open with the state and still belong to someone else’s brand. Indiana’s naming rules, including required wording such as “LLC”, are in state statute and on the Secretary of State’s site. Check there for the exact requirements.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company designated to receive legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. Your Articles of Organization will ask for one. You have three options:
- Yourself, if you have a physical address in Indiana and will be reachable during business hours.
- A trusted person who agrees to serve and has an Indiana address.
- A registered agent service. It’s a paid option and can make sense if you travel often or want to keep your home address off public records.
Check the Secretary of State’s website for the current rules on who may serve and what address is required.
3. File the Articles of Organization
This step officially creates your LLC. File with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division, through its online business portal. Online filing costs $75, versus $100 for filing in a manner other than electronic, per Indiana Code Title 23, Article 0.5, Chapter 9.
Have these ready before you start:
- Your LLC name
- Your registered agent’s name and Indiana address
- Your principal office address
- Any other information the form requests
For current processing times, check the Business Services Division’s website.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC runs: who owns what share, who makes decisions, and how profits are handled. A member is an owner of the LLC. A manager is someone appointed to run day-to-day operations, who can be a member or an outsider.
Even a one-person LLC benefits from a written agreement, because it documents that you’re keeping the business separate from your personal affairs. You don’t file it with the state. Check Indiana’s LLC statute or the Secretary of State’s site for what Indiana law says about operating agreements.
Say you’re forming a one-person LLC to sell handmade furniture. Your operating agreement can run a few pages: you’re the sole member, you manage the business, and profits belong to you. Add a short clause covering what happens if you become unable to run it.
5. Get your free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a federal tax ID for your business. The IRS says you can get one directly from the IRS in minutes, for free, and that you never have to pay a fee for it. Apply only at IRS.gov. Sites that charge for this are third parties.
Your LLC needs to exist first, so apply after the state accepts your Articles of Organization. You’ll use your EIN to open a bank account, hire employees, and file certain tax returns. To understand how an LLC is taxed and whether an S corporation election makes sense, read our LLC vs. S corp guide.
6. Open a business bank account
Keep business money in its own account. Mixing personal and business funds can weaken the legal separation between you and your LLC. Bring your Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement to the bank.
If you want an online-first option, Novo is one business banking provider to compare. Check its current fees and features against your local bank or credit union before choosing. It’s an option, not a requirement.
7. File your business entity report on time
Indiana requires ongoing reporting, covered in detail below. Put the date on your calendar the day you form.
Starting an LLC in Indiana Yourself vs. Using a Formation Service
Do-it-yourself total for year one: $75 (online state filing fee) + $0 (EIN) = $75. That assumes you act as your own registered agent and write your own operating agreement.
With a formation service: $75 state fee plus the service’s own fee. Fees vary by company and package, so check the provider’s current pricing. A service can bundle extras such as a registered agent, document templates, and filing on your behalf. Bizee is one such provider. For a side-by-side look, see our comparison of formation services.
When a service can help:
- You want a registered agent so your home address stays off public records.
- You’d rather have someone else handle the filing steps.
- You want templates and reminders bundled together.
What you can skip: paying anyone for an EIN, since the IRS gives it away free.
And you never need a service to file your Articles of Organization. The state’s own portal is open to you.
Keeping Your Indiana LLC in Good Standing
According to the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division, for-profit entities file a business entity report every other year in the month they were created. Form your LLC in March, and your report is due every other March.
The fee is $31 online or $50 by mail. If the report isn’t filed, the Secretary of State will administratively dissolve the business. That means the state ends your LLC’s legal standing. For late fees, reinstatement steps, or exactly when your first report is due, check the Business Services Division’s website.
Also keep your registered agent information current and your business and personal finances separate. Federal and local tax obligations are separate from the state report, so check IRS.gov and your local offices.
FAQ: Starting an LLC in Indiana
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Indiana?
The state filing fee for Articles of Organization is $75 online or $100 when filed in a manner other than electronic, per Indiana Code Title 23, Article 0.5, Chapter 9. An EIN is free from the IRS.
Do I need a formation service to start an LLC in Indiana?
No. You can file directly with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division. A service is optional and adds its own fee on top of the state fee.
How often do I have to file a report?
Every other year, in the month your LLC was created. The fee is $31 online or $50 by mail, according to the Indiana Secretary of State.
What happens if I don’t file the business entity report?
The Secretary of State will administratively dissolve the business, according to its business entity report page. Check the website for reinstatement details.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS states you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Apply only through IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Ready to move? Read our 7-step overview of forming an LLC, then open the Indiana Secretary of State’s online portal and start your Articles of Organization.
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.
