Free Business Tool
Compare C-Corp formation fees and annual maintenance costs across all 50 U.S. states. Use this free tool to find the most cost-effective state to incorporate your business — then speak with our M&A advisory team at Quentin Smith to build your corporate structure the right way.
Click any state to see pricing details
Formation
$200
Annual
$100 min Business Privilege Tax
Business Privilege Tax filings required.
Formation
$250
Annual
$100 biennial
Biennial report required every two years.
Formation
$60
Annual
$45 Annual Report
Publication requirements may apply.
Formation
$45
Annual
$150 Franchise Tax Report
Annual Franchise Tax Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$25 + $800 min franchise tax
Statement of Information required.
Formation
$50
Annual
$25 Periodic Report
Periodic Report due annually.
Formation
$250
Annual
$150 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$89
Annual
$50 + $400 Franchise Tax
Franchise Tax calculated using share/value methods.
Formation
$70
Annual
$150 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$50 Annual Registration
Annual Registration required.
Formation
$50
Annual
$15 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$20 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$150
Annual
$75 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$90–$100
Annual
$32 Biennial Report
Biennial Business Entity Report required.
Formation
$50
Annual
$60 Biennial Report
Biennial reporting requirements apply.
Formation
Varies
Annual
$55 Annual Report
Annual Information Report required.
Formation
$40
Annual
$15 Annual Report
Organization Tax based on authorized shares.
Formation
$60
Annual
$35 Annual Report
Additional state tax filings may apply.
Formation
$145
Annual
$85 Annual Report
Annual Report due June 1.
Formation
$120
Annual
$300 Personal Property Return
Annual Report/Personal Property Return required.
Formation
$275
Annual
$125 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$60
Annual
$25 Annual Report
Annual Statement required.
Formation
$135–$155
Annual
$0 Annual Renewal
Annual Renewal required.
Formation
$50
Annual
$0 Annual Report
Annual Report due April 15.
Formation
$58
Annual
$0
No general annual report requirement.
Formation
$70
Annual
$20 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$60
Annual
$25 Biennial Report
Publication requirement; biennial report.
Formation
$75
Annual
$650+ Annual List & License
Initial List and Business License required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$100 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$125
Annual
$75 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$0
No general annual report requirement.
Formation
$125
Annual
$9 Biennial Statement
Publication requirement; Biennial Statement.
Formation
$125
Annual
$25 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$25 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$99
Annual
$0
No general annual report requirement.
Formation
$50
Annual
$25 Annual Certificate
Annual Certificate filing required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$100 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$125
Annual
$7 Annual Report
Annual reporting reinstated.
Formation
$230
Annual
$50 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$135
Annual
$25 Annual Report
Reporting tied to tax filings.
Formation
$150
Annual
$50 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100 min
Annual
$100 min Franchise & Excise Tax
Fees tied to authorized shares.
Formation
$300
Annual
No annual fee; franchise tax filing
Franchise Tax and Public Information Report.
Formation
$54
Annual
$18 Annual Renewal
Annual Renewal required.
Formation
$125
Annual
$45 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$75
Annual
$100 Annual Registration
Annual fee varies by share count.
Formation
$180–$200
Annual
$70 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$25 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100
Annual
$25 Annual Report
Annual Report required.
Formation
$100 min
Annual
$60 min Annual License Tax
Annual License Tax based on in-state assets.
Ready to Incorporate?
Choosing the right state to incorporate is only the beginning. Our M&A advisory team helps entrepreneurs and investors structure C-Corps for maximum credit access, capital formation, and long-term growth.
Forming a C-Corporation in the United States involves two primary costs: a one-time state filing fee (formation fee) and recurring annual maintenance costs. Formation fees range from as low as $40 in Kentucky to as high as $300 in Texas. Annual fees can vary even more dramatically — Nevada, for example, requires over $650/year in combined fees, while states like Missouri and New Mexico have no annual report fee at all.
Delaware remains the gold standard for C-Corp formation due to its well-established corporate law, investor familiarity, and Court of Chancery. Wyoming has emerged as a popular alternative for business owners seeking privacy and low ongoing costs. However, the best state for your C-Corp depends on where you operate, your funding goals, and your long-term M&A strategy.
A properly formed C-Corporation is one of the most powerful vehicles for establishing business credit. Unlike sole proprietorships or LLCs, C-Corps can issue stock, attract venture capital, and build a corporate credit profile entirely separate from the founder's personal credit. At Quentin Smith Mergers & Acquisitions, we advise clients on structuring their entities to maximize access to capital from day one.