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How to form an LLC in Texas
$300 Certificate of Formation. No state annual report, but you file a franchise tax report every year.
Texas LLC at a glance
| Formation document | Certificate of Formation — LLC (Form 205) |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | $300 |
| Processing time | The state doesn’t publish a standard turnaround for Form 205. Optional "Standard Expedited" service costs $50 extra and typically takes 2–3 business days. |
| Registered agent | You need a registered agent with a physical Texas street address (the registered office). You can serve as your own agent if you have a Texas address, and the agent must agree to the appointment. |
| Franchise tax report (Comptroller) | Due May 15 each year. For 2026 reports, LLCs with annualized revenue of $2.65 million or less owe no tax, but they still file a Public Information Report (PIR). |
| Official filing site | Texas Secretary of State — SOSPortal |
Filing online vs. by mail
File online through SOSPortal (the state recommends it for faster processing), or by mail or in person in Austin. Paying by credit card online adds a convenience fee of $0.25 plus 2.25%.
Registered agent
You need a registered agent with a physical Texas street address (the registered office). You can serve as your own agent if you have a Texas address, and the agent must agree to the appointment.
Should you be your own registered agent? →
After you form: ongoing requirements
- Franchise tax report (Comptroller): Due May 15 each year. For 2026 reports, LLCs with annualized revenue of $2.65 million or less owe no tax, but they still file a Public Information Report (PIR).
Common Texas gotchas
- “No tax due” doesn’t mean nothing to file. Skipping the Public Information Report can cost the LLC its good standing.
- At $300, Texas is one of the more expensive states to file in, so budget for it whether you DIY or use a service.
- Credit card payments on SOSPortal carry an extra processing fee. ACH avoids it.
Do it yourself in Texas
- Check your name in the state’s business search and make sure it includes “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
- Choose your registered agent using the rules above.
- File the Certificate of Formation — LLC (Form 205) at Texas Secretary of State — SOSPortal and pay $300.
- Get a free EIN from the IRS. See our EIN guide.
- Calendar your ongoing filings so you don’t pay late fees.
Need the general walkthrough? Read how to form an LLC, step by step.
Sources
Fees and rules below come from official Texas government sources, checked October 2026. Fees change, so always confirm on the state’s site before you pay.
- TX SOS — Form 205 instructions
- TX SOS — Fee schedule (Form 806)
- TX Comptroller — Franchise tax PIR/OIR
Other state guides
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Last updated October 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice.