An EIN is free directly from the IRS: $0 (free). Never pay a third party for an EIN: $0 (free). Official regulations specify that you must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN . Under federal rules effective August 14, 2026, BOI reporting: US-formed companies are exempt. While ZenBusiness saves time on document tracking, multi-member LLCs still require a customized operating agreement that automated service templates cannot supply. Deciding between DIY filing and ZenBusiness depends on whether you prioritize personal convenience or lower total startup expenses.
LLC Formation Service Comparison
The table below details formation costs, registered agent pricing, and key features. Options are listed alphabetically, not ranked.
| Provider / Option | Starter Formation Fee | Registered Agent Fee | Key Features & Regulatory Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 + state fee (as of 2026) | Included free 1st year ($119/yr renews, as of 2026) | Standard filing services and automated document delivery. |
| DIY (State Direct & IRS) | $0 service fee + state fee | $0 (if acting as own registered agent) | State statutory fees apply. An EIN is free directly from the IRS: $0 (free) via Form SS-4. |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee (as of 2026) | $249/yr (as of 2026) | Entity name checking and digital document storage. |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee (as of 2026) | $125/yr (as of 2026) | Corporate address privacy on public state records. |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99.99 + state fee (as of 2026) | $249.99/yr ($124.99 with membership, as of 2026) | Online legal document templates and attorney consultations. |
| Tailor Brands | $0 + state fee (as of 2026) | $199/yr (as of 2026) | Entity formation bundled with digital branding tools. |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee ($199 Pro, $299 Premium) | $99 1st year ($199/yr renews on all tiers) | Dashboard tracking, compliance alerts, and filing speed options. |
ZenBusiness Pricing Tiers and Feature Breakdown
ZenBusiness structures its primary LLC formation services across three main tiers: Starter, Pro, and Premium. The Starter package costs $0 plus state filing fees and covers the filing of your Articles of Organization. The Pro plan costs $199 per year and incorporates annual compliance alerts alongside faster filing speed. The Premium plan costs $299 per year, adding priority rush processing, domain registration, and business web services.
Registered agent service is structured as a separate add-on costing $199 per year across all tiers, including Premium. When you form your LLC through ZenBusiness, this service is discounted to $99 for the first year. Older documentation or legacy online pages listing a $399 Premium plan with bundled registered agent coverage are out of date.
The DIY Route: State Submissions and Current Regulations
Forming an LLC directly requires submitting Articles of Organization to your Secretary of State or state business authority and paying the statutory filing fee. Filing yourself eliminates third-party platform fees and ongoing subscription renewals. Because state statutory fees are fixed by law, you pay the exact same state filing fee whether you complete the paperwork yourself or hire a service.
After receiving official state approval, an EIN is free directly from the IRS: $0 (free). Business owners should never pay a third party for an EIN: $0 (free). Official IRS regulations specify that you must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN. The application is completed online or via Form SS-4, and online applications generate an EIN immediately upon completion.
Federal reporting requirements for domestic entities have also been simplified. Under the federal rule effective August 14, 2026, BOI reporting: US-formed companies are exempt. Similarly, state-level rules like the New York LLC Transparency Act apply solely to LLCs formed under foreign law outside the United States. U.S. business founders do not need to buy third-party BOI reporting packages.
SBA Guidelines on Business Structure and Operating Agreements
Guidelines from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) outline essential steps for launching an LLC: choosing a legal structure, appointing a registered agent, registering with state authorities, and drafting an operating agreement. The SBA notes that an LLC combines limited liability protection for owners with pass-through tax treatment.
Every state requires an LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to receive official legal correspondence during business hours. You can serve as your own registered agent for $0 if you live in the state and maintain a physical address there, though hiring a commercial registered agent keeps your home address off public state databases.
For multi-member LLCs, SBA guidance stresses the necessity of an operating agreement that defines ownership percentages, member responsibilities, capital call terms, and profit distributions. Automated service platforms provide standardized templates with default equity distribution terms. However, multi-member entities require customized agreements tailored to specific co-owner terms.
Choosing Between ZenBusiness and Self-Filing
Filing yourself is the best route if you operate a single-member LLC, wish to keep startup costs to a minimum, and are comfortable submitting forms directly to state agencies and the IRS. The self-filing process is straightforward, requires minimal time, and avoids ongoing subscription renewals.
Using ZenBusiness makes sense if you prefer an online portal to manage state documents, require automated reminders for annual compliance filings, or want commercial registered agent services to protect your personal address privacy. Delegating administrative steps provides peace of mind for business owners willing to pay for ongoing service conveniences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ZenBusiness charge for LLC formation and a registered agent?
ZenBusiness LLC formation pricing starts at $0 plus state fees for the Starter package, $199 per year for the Pro package, and $299 per year for the Premium package. Registered agent coverage is sold separately at $199 per year across all tiers, with a discounted rate of $99 for the first year when purchased during entity formation.
What does the SBA say about choosing and registering an LLC?
Following SBA guidelines, choosing an LLC offers personal liability protection paired with pass-through taxation. You register your business by filing Articles of Organization with state authorities, designate a registered agent with an in-state physical address, and establish an operating agreement. Multi-member LLCs require tailored operating agreements to specify member governance, equity split details, and capital rules.
What are the official steps to register an LLC?
Official steps include selecting an available legal entity name, filing Articles of Organization with your Secretary of State, and paying mandatory state fees. Once approved by the state, you apply for a free EIN directly from the IRS using Form SS-4 or the online portal, and secure any necessary local permits or business licenses.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This article provides general information rather than legal advice, and specific business formation requirements vary by state and change over time.