What is an LLC?
A Limited Liability Company separates your personal assets from your business — the protection of a corporation with the simplicity and flexible taxes of a sole proprietorship. Complete guide →
Free guides · all 50 states + DC
Form your own LLC. Keep your money.
Honest, plain-English lessons that walk you through every step — no upsells, no fake urgency, no $1,000 lawyer bill.
✓ Real numbers✓ No upsells✓ Plain English
Start in your state
Pick your state and jump straight to the guide.
Don't see your state? Start with the universal guide →
Most LLC sites are just ads dressed up as advice. We tell you what things actually cost — and when you don't need to pay at all.Jake Lawson, founder of LLCIYO
Straight answers
The questions everyone asks first
Short answers up top. Full guides one click away.
Best state
Which state?
Ignore the Delaware and Wyoming hype. For almost everyone, your home state is the right (and cheapest) answer.
The honest breakdown CostsWhat's it cost?
Filing fees vary by state. We list the real numbers — plus annual fees and the "hidden" charges nobody warns you about.
See the real cost Reg. agentAgent, who?
Whoever accepts legal mail for your LLC. Often that can just be you — for free. Here's when to hire one.
Understand the role Get startedHow do I start?
Five core steps, the same in every state. Follow them in order and you'll have a working LLC without overpaying.
Start step-by-step51
Guides (50 states + DC)
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Plain English
Pick your state
Step-by-step guides by state
Every state plus Washington DC has a full formation guide. Pick yours and go.
Alabama→
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Arizona→
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Connecticut→
Delaware→
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Nevada→
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New York→
North Carolina→
North Dakota→
Ohio→
Oklahoma→
Oregon→
Pennsylvania→
Rhode Island→
South Carolina→
South Dakota→
Tennessee→
Texas→
Utah→
Vermont→
Virginia→
Washington→
Washington DC→
West Virginia→
Wisconsin→
Wyoming→
All 50 states + DC covered. Not sure where to form? Start with the best-state guide.
Real results from real entrepreneurs
People use these guides to file their own LLC instead of paying a lawyer or a formation mill. See their stories in their own words.
Read the success stories →Written for humans
Legal and tax terms in plain English, jargon translated as you go.
Real numbers
Actual state filing fees and annual costs — not vague "starting at" pricing.
No conflict of interest
We don't sell formations, so the advice points to what's cheapest for you.
Templates you can use
Operating agreements and forms you can adapt to your situation.
LLC basics
Learn about LLCs
A quick orientation before you dive into your state's guide.
Best state to form one?
Usually where you actually live and do business. Forming in Delaware, Nevada, or Wyoming "for the tax benefits" almost always backfires and doubles your fees. Why the hype is wrong →
How much does it cost?
A one-time filing fee plus an ongoing annual fee — and a few states quietly make up low filing fees with high annual taxes. Cost breakdown → · Fees by state →
What's a registered agent?
A person or company that accepts legal mail for your LLC. In most states you can be your own agent for free. Compare options →
Need an operating agreement?
Yes — even as a single-member LLC. It proves your LLC is a real, separate entity and sets the rules if things go sideways. Guide + template →
Annual reports & foreign LLCs?
Most states require an annual or biennial report to stay in good standing, and crossing state lines may mean registering as a "foreign" LLC. Annual reports → · Foreign LLCs →