LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Texas

Forming an LLC in Texas for the first time

The Texas filing fee is $300. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $499.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Texas checklist

  1. File the Certificate of Formation (205). $300 to the Texas Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. No report with the Secretary of State. LLCs file a Public Information Report with the Comptroller by May 15 each year; no franchise tax is due below $2.65 million in revenue (2026 and 2027).. Due: May 15 each year.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $300 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$897 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $589; ZenBusiness $797; Bizee $598; LegalZoom $1,047 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Texas?

Mainstay Filing. First year $499 including the $300 Texas filing fee; $199 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Texas without a service?

Yes: file the Certificate of Formation (205) with the Texas Secretary of State for $300. Required registered agent: A Texas resident, including an owner, officer or employee, or an organization registered or authorized in Texas with a business office at the registered office. The company cannot be its own agent, and the agent has to consent.

Sources