Choose Your State
Every state has different requirements, privacy rules, and taxes. Compare the most popular jurisdictions for non-resident founders, or ask us and we'll recommend one for your situation.
Every State, Side by Side
Wyoming
1-3 business daysThe most founder-friendly state for non-residents
View guide PopularColorado
1-2 business daysCheapest annual report in the country
View guide PopularMontana
2-3 weeksVery low-cost formation and upkeep
Extended processing: formation documents typically arrive within 2-3 weeks of filing.
View guide PopularDelaware
2-5 business daysThe gold standard for startups raising capital
View guideNew Mexico
2-3 weeksMaximum privacy at the lowest lifetime cost
Extended processing: formation documents typically arrive within 2-3 weeks of filing.
View guideFlorida
2-5 business daysThe operational base for businesses serving U.S. customers
View guideTexas
3-5 business daysBig-market state with no personal income tax
View guideCalifornia
5-8 business daysRequired if you operate in the Golden State
View guideAlabama
3-5 business daysStraightforward formation in the Deep South
View guideAlaska
10-15 business daysNo state income tax, biennial reporting
View guideArizona
2-3 weeksLow-cost formation, no annual report
View guideArkansas
3-5 business daysAffordable formation with a modest franchise tax
View guideConnecticut
3-5 business daysNortheast base with moderate costs
View guideGeorgia
5-7 business daysFast-growing Southeast hub, low annual cost
View guideHawaii
5-7 business daysIsland-based formation, modest fees
View guideIdaho
5-7 business daysZero-cost annual report
View guideIllinois
7-10 business daysMajor Midwest market, higher annual cost
View guideIndiana
1-2 business daysLow-cost Midwest formation, biennial report
View guideIowa
2-3 business daysLow-cost formation, biennial reporting
View guideKansas
3-5 business daysModerate cost Midwest option
View guideKentucky
3-5 business daysOne of the lowest-cost states to maintain
View guideLouisiana
5-7 business daysGulf Coast base with civil law nuances
View guideMaine
7-10 business daysNew England base, higher annual cost
View guideMaryland
4-8 weeksDC-metro access, high annual report fee
View guideMassachusetts
3-5 business daysPrestige New England base, high costs
View guideMichigan
3-5 business daysLow-cost Midwest formation
View guideMinnesota
3-5 business daysNo recurring state fee after formation
View guideMississippi
3-5 business daysLow-cost formation with a free annual report
View guideMissouri
3-5 business daysNo annual report required at all
View guideNebraska
3-5 business daysLow-cost with a unique publication requirement
View guideNevada
1-2 business daysStrong privacy, but high total annual cost
View guideNew Hampshire
3-7 business daysNo sales or income tax, moderate fees
View guideNew Jersey
1-3 business daysNYC-metro access, moderate ongoing cost
View guideNew York
1-2 weeksMajor market, but a real publication requirement
View guideNorth Carolina
5-7 business daysGrowing Southeast market, straightforward fees
View guideNorth Dakota
5-7 business daysStraightforward formation, moderate fees
View guideOhio
3-7 business daysNo annual report requirement, low cost
View guideOklahoma
3-5 business daysLow-cost formation, modest annual fee
View guideOregon
3-5 business daysNo sales tax, straightforward annual report
View guidePennsylvania
7-10 business daysNortheast base, low ongoing cost
View guideRhode Island
5-10 business daysSmall state, moderate costs
View guideSouth Carolina
3-5 business daysNo annual report for LLCs
View guideSouth Dakota
3-5 business daysNo state income tax, low overall cost
View guideTennessee
3-5 business daysNo income tax, but franchise tax scales with members
View guideUtah
2-3 business daysFast-growing tech hub, low annual renewal
View guideVermont
5-7 business daysSmall state, moderate fees
View guideVirginia
5-10 business daysDC-metro access, low annual fee
View guideWashington
2-5 business daysNo income tax, strong tech economy
View guideWest Virginia
5-7 business daysLow-cost Appalachian base
View guideWisconsin
5-7 business daysMidwest base, low annual report fee
View guideDistrict of Columbia
5-7 business daysFormation in the nation's capital
View guideNo states match “”. Try a different name.
At a Glance
| State | Processing | Annual Requirement | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 1-3 business days | Annual report due each year ($60/yr) | E-commerce, consultants, agencies, holding companies |
| Colorado | 1-2 business days | Annual report filed online each year ($10/yr) | Startups, tech companies, cost-conscious founders |
| Montana | 2-3 weeks | Annual report due each year ($20/yr) | Cost-conscious founders, outdoor/ag businesses |
| Delaware | 2-5 business days (expedite available) | Flat annual franchise tax for LLCs ($400/yr) | Startups raising capital, C-Corps, future IPOs |
| New Mexico | 2-3 weeks | No annual report or recurring state filings (Not required) | Budget-conscious founders, privacy-focused holding companies |
| Florida | 2-5 business days | Annual report due May 1 each year (late penalties apply) ($138.75/yr) | Founders with real U.S. operations, import/export, real estate |
| Texas | 3-5 business days (expedite available) | Franchise tax report + Public Information Report due annually (most small businesses owe no tax) (Free) | Businesses operating in Texas, larger ventures |
| California | 5-8 business days | Minimum annual franchise tax plus a biennial statement ($800/yr) | Founders physically operating in California |
| Alabama | 3-5 business days | Annual Business Privilege Tax filing required ($50/yr) | Businesses operating in Alabama |
| Alaska | 10-15 business days | Biennial report due every 2 years ($100 every 2 yrs) | Businesses with Alaska ties |
| Arizona | 2-3 weeks (standard) | No annual report required (Not required) | Cost-sensitive founders, Southwest-based businesses |
| Arkansas | 3-5 business days | Flat annual LLC franchise tax applies ($150/yr) | Small businesses operating in Arkansas |
| Connecticut | 3-5 business days | Annual report due each year ($80/yr) | Businesses operating in New England |
| Georgia | 5-7 business days (7-10 without expedite) | Annual registration due each year ($60/yr) | E-commerce, logistics, Southeast-based businesses |
| Hawaii | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($15/yr) | Businesses operating in Hawaii |
| Idaho | 5-7 business days | Annual report required but free (Free) | Cost-conscious founders, agriculture/Mountain West businesses |
| Illinois | 7-10 business days | Annual report due each year ($75/yr) | Businesses operating in the Chicago area |
| Indiana | 1-2 business days (online) | Biennial report due every 2 years ($31 every 2 yrs) | Small businesses, cost-conscious founders |
| Iowa | 2-3 business days | Biennial report due every 2 years ($30 every 2 yrs) | Agriculture, manufacturing, Midwest businesses |
| Kansas | 3-5 business days | Annual report due each year ($50/yr) | Businesses operating in the Midwest |
| Kentucky | 3-5 business days | Annual report due each year ($15/yr) | Cost-conscious founders, small businesses |
| Louisiana | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($35/yr) | Gulf Coast trade, logistics, energy businesses |
| Maine | 7-10 business days | Annual report due each year ($85/yr) | Businesses operating in Maine/New England |
| Maryland | 4-8 weeks (standard, expedite available) | Annual report due each year ($300/yr) | Government contractors, DC-metro businesses |
| Massachusetts | 3-5 business days (expedite available) | Annual report due each year ($500/yr) | Boston-area tech/biotech startups |
| Michigan | 3-5 business days | Annual statement due each year ($25/yr) | Manufacturing, Midwest-based businesses |
| Minnesota | 3-5 business days | Annual renewal required but free (Free) | Cost-conscious founders wanting no ongoing state fees |
| Mississippi | 3-5 business days | Annual report required but free (Free) | Cost-conscious founders |
| Missouri | 3-5 business days | No annual report required (Not required) | Founders who want minimal ongoing state paperwork |
| Nebraska | 3-5 business days | Biennial report due every 2 years ($13 every 2 yrs) | Agriculture, Midwest businesses |
| Nevada | 1-2 business days (expedite available) | Annual list + state business license renewal each year ($350/yr) | Founders specifically wanting Nevada's asset-protection statutes |
| New Hampshire | 3-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($100/yr) | New England-based businesses |
| New Jersey | 1-3 business days (online) | Annual report due each year ($75/yr) | Businesses serving the NYC metro area |
| New York | 1-2 weeks (standard) | Biennial statement every 2 years, plus a one-time publication requirement (cost varies by county) ($9 every 2 yrs) | Businesses genuinely operating in New York |
| North Carolina | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($200/yr) | Tech and Southeast-based businesses |
| North Dakota | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($50/yr) | Energy and agriculture businesses |
| Ohio | 3-7 business days | No annual report required (Not required) | Founders wanting zero ongoing state paperwork |
| Oklahoma | 3-5 business days | Annual certificate due each year ($25/yr) | Energy and Midwest/South-Central businesses |
| Oregon | 3-5 business days | Annual report due each year ($100/yr) | Pacific Northwest businesses, no-sales-tax seekers |
| Pennsylvania | 7-10 business days | Annual report now required each year (replaced the old decennial filing) ($7/yr) | Northeast-based businesses |
| Rhode Island | 5-10 business days | Annual report due each year ($50/yr) | New England-based small businesses |
| South Carolina | 3-5 business days | No annual report required for standard LLCs (Not required) | Founders wanting minimal ongoing paperwork |
| South Dakota | 3-5 business days | Annual report due each year ($55/yr) | Founders wanting no-income-tax states beyond Wyoming |
| Tennessee | 3-5 business days | Annual report scales with number of members (state-set minimum) ($300/yr) | Single-member LLCs wanting a no-income-tax Southeast base |
| Utah | 2-3 business days (online) | Annual renewal due each year ($18/yr) | Tech startups, cost-conscious founders |
| Vermont | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($45/yr) | New England small businesses |
| Virginia | 5-10 business days | Annual registration due each year ($50/yr) | Government contractors, DC-metro businesses |
| Washington | 2-5 business days | Annual report filed online each year ($60/yr) | Tech startups, Pacific Northwest businesses |
| West Virginia | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($25/yr) | Appalachian region businesses |
| Wisconsin | 5-7 business days | Annual report due each year ($25/yr) | Manufacturing, Midwest-based businesses |
| District of Columbia | 5-7 business days | Annual report: Every 2 yrs ($300 every 2 yrs) | Businesses operating in Washington, DC, government contractors |
No states match “”. Try a different name.
Not sure which state fits?
Tell us about your business and we'll recommend the right jurisdiction (free).
