North Carolina LLC: fees, how to start and deadlines

North Carolina charges $125 to file LLC Articles of Organization. The annual report costs $200 on paper or $203 online by card ($202 by ACH) and is due April 15 each year, starting the year after the LLC is created.

Filing fee$125

Ongoing state fee$200 paper / $203 online by card ($202 by ACH) yearly

DeadlineApril 15 each year after the year of creation.

How to start an LLC in North Carolina

Pick a name and check it is available with the Secretary of State.
Choose a registered agent: a North Carolina resident, or a business allowed to operate in the state, with a registered office in North Carolina.
File Articles of Organization and pay $125.
Get an EIN from the IRS. It is free.
File the annual report by April 15 each year, starting the year after the year your LLC was created. It costs $200 on paper or $203 online by card ($202 by ACH).

Formation filing: Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State. Sources: sosnc.gov: _Business_Registration_limited_lia…, sosnc.gov: annual_report_due_dates

North Carolina LLC annual report

Fee	$200 paper / $203 online by card ($202 by ACH)
Deadline	April 15 each year
First report	The year after the year the LLC was created
Late penalty	Not stated on the official pages checked

Example: an LLC created in 2026 files its first annual report by April 15, 2027.

Sources: NC SOS: annual report due dates, NC SOS: LLC fees

Registered agent in North Carolina

Required (G.S. 55D-30). Changing your registered agent or office is a $5 state filing.

Source: G.S. 55D-30

North Carolina LLC fees and deadlines Cited (official pages)

Filing office: Secretary of State
Formation fee details: $125 Articles of Organization. Not confirmed: Online card/ACH transaction fee not confirmed.
Year-1 state total: $125
Ongoing filing: Annual Report
Ongoing fee: $200 paper / $203 online by card ($202 by ACH; the online card amount includes a $3 card fee)
Deadline: April 15 each year after the year of creation.
Late penalty: Not stated on the official pages checked
Newspaper publication: None found
Registered agent: Yes (G.S. 55D-30)
Official sources: sosnc.gov: _Business_Registration_limited_lia…, sosnc.gov: annual_report_due_dates

Checked November 14, 2026. Fees can change; confirm on the state's site before filing.

Questions

How much is the North Carolina LLC annual report?

$200 on paper or $203 online by card ($202 by ACH), due April 15 each year, starting the year after the LLC was created.

How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?

The state filing fee for Articles of Organization is $125.

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