Last updated: October 11, 2026
How to Start an LLC in Vermont: The Short Answer
$155. That’s the one upfront cost you can’t avoid when you start an LLC in Vermont. According to the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division, that’s the filing fee for the Articles of Organization.
You can file it yourself and get your federal tax ID (an EIN) free from the IRS. A paid formation service is optional.
“Free” here means no middleman fee. The $155 goes to the state. The fee figures here ($155 for the Articles of Organization and $45 for the annual report) match what the Vermont Secretary of State fee pages showed as of October 2026, and the IRS lists the EIN as free, so confirm the current amount before you pay.
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Key Takeaways
- The Vermont state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $155.
- An EIN costs $0 when you apply directly with the IRS.
- Vermont LLCs file an annual report each year. The fee is $45.
- The annual report is due within three months after your fiscal year ends.
- A formation service adds convenience, not legal necessity.
Vermont LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (formation) | $155 | Once, when you form |
| Annual report | $45 | Every year, within three months after your fiscal year ends |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | Once, after your LLC is formed |
Sources: Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division (fees and annual report pages); IRS.gov.
Curious how $155 compares elsewhere? Our LLC filing fees by state roundup shows the spread.
Step-by-Step: How to Start an LLC in Vermont
1. Choose and check your business name
Your LLC (limited liability company, a business structure that separates your personal assets from the business in most situations) needs a name that no other Vermont business entity already uses. Use the business name search on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website to see what’s registered.
Check the Corporations Division’s website for naming rules, such as required words like “LLC,” and for whether you can reserve a name before filing. Also see if the matching web domain and social handles are open. The state doesn’t require that, but you’ll want them.
2. Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. Vermont expects your LLC to name one on its filing. Check the Corporations Division’s website for the current requirements, including who is eligible to serve.
You generally have three options:
- Yourself, if you meet the state’s requirements and are reliably reachable.
- Someone you trust who agrees to do it.
- A commercial registered agent service, which is optional and costs extra.
Your LLC’s legal mail goes to whoever you pick. Choose someone who will pass it along fast.
3. File the Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. You file it with the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division. The state filing fee is $155.
The form generally asks for your LLC’s name, your registered agent’s information, and a few details about how the company is organized. Check the Corporations Division’s website for the current form, filing method, and processing times.
Once the state accepts your filing, save the filed copy. Banks often ask for it.
4. Create an operating agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document. It sets out who owns the LLC (its members), how profits are shared, and how decisions get made. In a one-person LLC, it’s mostly a record that you own and control the business.
Check Vermont’s statutes or the Secretary of State’s website on whether the state requires one and whether it must be in writing. Even if it isn’t filed with the state, a written agreement is smart. It documents that the business is separate from you personally, and banks often ask for it.
With partners, it matters even more. It spells out what happens when someone leaves or disagrees. A basic single-member agreement usually doesn’t need a lawyer, but consider legal advice if you have multiple members or significant assets.
5. Get a 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 you never have to pay a fee for one.
Apply only at IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EINs are selling something the IRS gives away.
Apply after the state accepts your Articles of Organization, so the name and structure on your application match your filing. Still deciding how your LLC will be taxed? Read our guide to LLC vs. S corp differences.
6. Open a business bank account
Keep business money and personal money apart. It’s one of the best habits for protecting the liability separation an LLC is meant to give you.
You’ll typically need your filed Articles of Organization, your EIN, your operating agreement, and your ID. Online banking is one route. Novo is an online business checking provider aimed at small businesses and freelancers. Compare fees and features against your local bank or credit union before you choose.
7. File your annual report on time
According to the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division, a Vermont LLC must file an annual report each year to maintain its legal existence. It’s due within three months following the fiscal year end on record. The fee is $45.
Put it on your calendar right after forming. A fiscal year is the 12-month period your business uses for accounting. Say your fiscal year is the calendar year, ending December 31. Your report would then be due within three months after that, by the end of March.
Confirm your fiscal year end on your state record.
DIY vs. a Formation Service: Vermont LLC First-Year Cost
Doing it yourself:
- Articles of Organization: $155
- EIN: $0
- Annual report: $45, due within three months after your fiscal year ends. Depending on when you form, your first report may land in your first year or your second.
The mandatory cost to form is $155. Add the $45 report when it comes due.
Using a formation service: you pay the same $155 state fee plus the service’s own fee. Packages and prices change, so see our comparison of the best LLC formation services for real numbers.
What a formation service adds
A service can save you time if you:
- Want someone to prepare and submit the filing for you.
- Don’t have a Vermont address and want a commercial registered agent.
- Want reminders for annual reports.
- Are forming several entities and want one dashboard.
Bizee is one such service. If you’re comfortable filling out a short state form and applying for an EIN yourself, you can skip the add-ons. Whatever package you’re offered, ask whether it includes things you can get free, like the EIN.
Forming just across the border? Our guides for Massachusetts and New York cover those states’ steps.
Keeping Your Vermont LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is the first step. Keeping it active comes down to one recurring task.
- What: the annual report, filed with the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division.
- Fee: $45 every year.
- Deadline: within three months following your fiscal year end on record.
- Why it matters: the state says the report is required to maintain your LLC’s legal existence.
Check the Corporations Division’s website for current late-filing penalties and reinstatement rules. Better yet, file before the deadline and skip them.
Also keep your registered agent information current. If your agent or address changes, update it with the state instead of waiting for the next annual report. The Corporations Division’s website explains how.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Vermont?
According to the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division, the Articles of Organization filing fee is $155. The EIN is free from the IRS. A formation service or commercial registered agent is optional and adds its own fees.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for one. Apply only at IRS.gov.
Is there an annual fee for a Vermont LLC?
Yes. The Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division, requires an annual report with a $45 fee every year. It’s due within three months following your fiscal year end on record. Filing it is required to maintain your LLC’s legal existence.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Often, but it depends on the state’s requirements. Check the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division’s website for who can serve and what address rules apply.
Do I need a lawyer or formation service to form a Vermont LLC?
No. You can file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Vermont Secretary of State, Corporations Division. A service can save time, but it isn’t required. If your LLC has multiple owners or complex ownership, a lawyer’s advice on the operating agreement may be worth paying for.
Your Next Step
Ready to file? Start with our 7-step incorporation overview. It walks through the same sequence in order, so you can check each item off before you pay the $155.
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.
