Business formation
Form your business in Minnesota
Start your LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or Nonprofit in Minnesota with a guided, step-by-step workflow tailored to your entity type - and know the state filing fee before you begin.
Forming an LLC in Minnesota costs $135 in state filing fees, which is above the national median: 37 of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. A corporation files for $135 and a nonprofit for $70. Below: the fee table, what else you pay in year one, and the questions founders ask before filing here.
Minnesota state filing fees
These are the one-time fees paid to the Minnesota Secretary of State to file your formation document. They are separate from any EazeAccounts service or package fee.
| Entity type | State filing fee |
|---|---|
| LLCArticles of Organization - flexible, pass-through, simple to run. | $135 |
| Corporation (C-Corp / S-Corp)Articles of Incorporation - shares, board, officers. S-Corp is a federal tax election on the same state filing. | $135 |
| NonprofitNonprofit Articles of Incorporation - mission-driven; optional 501(c)(3). | $70 |
Note: $135 by mail; $155 online/in-person.
Estimated state filing fees, separate from EazeAccounts service fees. Some states set a minimum that can rise with authorized shares, and expedited or online filing may differ. Fees last verified May 2026; confirm the current amount with the Minnesota Secretary of State before filing.
What an LLC costs every year in Minnesota
Annual Renewal
$0
By December 31 each year, starting the year after formation An LLC that misses the renewal is administratively terminated. To reinstate, file the renewal and pay $25, plus a late penalty of up to $40 (since July 1, 2025) and $20 more if filed online.
State tax on the LLC
An LLC taxed as a partnership or disregarded entity pays no Minnesota entity-level income tax. A multi-member LLC files Form M3, due March 15 for calendar-year filers. It owes the partnership minimum fee only when its Minnesota property, payroll and sales reach $1,280,000 (2026 schedule), and the fee starts at $260. A single-member LLC whose income goes on the owner's Form M1 does not owe the minimum fee.
How long Minnesota takes
Mail filings are processed in the order received and are not expedited. Online and in-person filings cost $20 more and are expedited: online filings come back by email within about five business days, and counter filings (by appointment) are processed while you wait.
What is different about Minnesota
- • The annual renewal is free, but missing the December 31 deadline terminates the LLC.
- • A registered agent is optional in Minnesota. The articles only need a registered office street address.
- • Filing online or in person costs $155 against $135 by mail, because the extra $20 is an expedite surcharge.
Guide reviewed October 2026 against the Minnesota Secretary of State and the tax authority. Confirm current figures before filing.
What else you pay in year one
- Registered agent. Free if you serve as your own agent at a Minnesota street address; a service charges an annual fee if you would rather keep your address off the public record.
- EIN. Free from the IRS. Anyone charging for an EIN alone is charging for the form.
- Annual report or franchise tax. Most states ask for a yearly report and some charge a fee or tax with it; the amount and deadline are set by Minnesota. Check the Secretary of State page before you file so the first renewal is not a surprise.
- Licences and permits. City and county rules depend on what the business does, not on the entity type.
Not sure whether an LLC or a corporation fits? The entity cost calculator compares the two over three years, and the guide to LLC vs C-Corp covers the tax and investor side.
Questions founders ask about Minnesota
- How much does an LLC cost per year in Minnesota?
- The annual renewal is free. A multi-member LLC owes the partnership minimum fee only when its Minnesota property, payroll and sales reach $1,280,000, and the fee starts at $260.
- How much does it cost to form an LLC in Minnesota?
- $135 by mail, or $155 online or in person. The extra $20 pays for expedited handling.
- What happens if I miss the Minnesota LLC annual renewal?
- The LLC is administratively terminated. You reinstate it by filing the renewal and paying $25, plus a late penalty of up to $40, and $20 more if you file online.
- How much does it cost to start an LLC in Minnesota?
- The Minnesota state filing fee for an LLC is $135, paid once when you file the formation document. That is above the national median: 37 of 51 jurisdictions charge less, and the national median is $100. Registered agent service, expedited processing and any EazeAccounts package are separate.
- Do I need a registered agent in Minnesota?
- Yes. Every state requires an LLC or corporation to name a registered agent with a physical street address in Minnesota who is available during business hours to receive legal and official mail. You can be your own agent if you live in the state, or use a service.
- What is the difference between the state fee and the EazeAccounts fee?
- The state fee goes to the Minnesota Secretary of State and is the same whoever files for you. The EazeAccounts formation package covers preparing and filing the documents, the EIN, the operating agreement or bylaws, and setting your books up from day one. You always see both amounts before you pay.
- Is the state filing fee refundable if my filing is rejected?
- Generally no. States keep the fee even when a filing is rejected for a name conflict or a missing detail, which is why the name check and document review happen before anything is submitted.
Next step
Comparing states? Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, or see filing fees in every state.
Ready to form in Minnesota? Begin the step-by-step formation workflow.