How Much Does an LLC Cost in New Hampshire

It costs at least $100 to form an LLC in New Hampshire. But these additional expenses could increase the total to over $3,000.

Zero sales tax. Zero income tax. New Hampshire seems like a business paradise.

But even in this tax-friendly state, forming an LLC has its costs.

So how much does it cost to form an LLC in New Hampshire? It all starts with a $100 state filing fee...

You can also use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your minimum startup expenses.

Certificate of Formation

One-Time Fee: $100 (paper) | $102 (online)^[1]

To form an LLC in New Hampshire, you must submit the Certificate of Formation to the Corporation Division, NH Department of State. Once the documents are approved, your LLC will be recognized as a separate legal entity.

A New Hampshire LLC's Certificate of Formation contains the following information, among other details:^[2]

• Limited liability company name
  
• Registered agent name and address
  
• Business phone and email
  
• Business purpose

You can file the Certificate of Formation online, by mail, or in person.

Foreign Registration

One-Time Fee: $100 (paper) | $102 (online)^[1]

If you already have an LLC in another state and want to expand your business to New Hampshire, register it as a foreign LLC.

To create a foreign LLC in New Hampshire, you must file an Application for Registration as a Foreign Limited Liability Company with the Corporation Division. Don't forget to attach a Certificate of Good Standing from your domestic state.

Annual Report

Annual Fee: $100 (paper) | $102 (online)^[1]

All LLCs in New Hampshire must file annual reports with the Corporation Division. It lets the government, banks, and anyone with access to public records know your business is still active.

In New Hampshire, annual reports are due by April 1st yearly.^[3] You can still file past-due reports with an additional $50 late fee.^[1]

Business Permits and Licenses

Cost: Typically at least $100/yr

New Hampshire has no state-level general business license. Instead, the state prefers to leave business licensing requirements to local jurisdictions and specific industries.

For example, in Concord, the capital city, a Class I food service establishment health license costs $534/yr.^[4] In Manchester, a business license for each business location is calculated based on square footage. The minimum fee is $50, and the maximum is $1,000.^[5]

The number of permits and licenses your LLC needs depends on its business purpose. Some businesses may be regulated by various governmental offices simultaneously and could renew yearly.

Business Profits Tax

Cost: 7.5% of gross income

New Hampshire is one of the few states with no sales and personal income tax. However, LLCs must pay business profits tax.

BPT is a tax on income from doing business in New Hampshire. An LLC with more than $109,000 gross income must pay it yearly.^[6] On top of that, you must also pay federal income taxes.

2025 Federal Income Tax Rates:^[7]

Don't forget the 15.3% federal self-employment tax.^[8]

Optional Fees

While the fees below are generally optional, some are unavoidable depending on your business needs.

For example, obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing is often necessary when opening an LLC bank account.

Expedited Services

Cost: $25^[3]

New Hampshire offers expedited services for most of its filings, including:

• Certificate of Formation
  
• Certificate of Good Standing
  
• Certified Copies of Documents

Expedited services are only available in person at the Customer Lobby. This is an additional fee on top of the document's filing fee.

Registered Agent Services

Annual Cost: $0, or $100-$300/yr

In New Hampshire, you must have a registered agent to receive business and legal documents for your LLC. This includes government notices, tax forms, and annual reporting forms.

You can technically be your LLC's registered agent—as long as you're at least 18 and have a physical street address in New Hampshire. You must also be available to receive documents during business hours.

However, your address will be public record. So many LLCs like to hire a registered agent service to keep their personal details private. These services usually charge $100-$300 per year to be your registered agent.

Statement of Change

Cost: $15 (paper) | $17 (online)^[1]

In New Hampshire, an LLC can change its registered agent's details by filing a form with the Corporation Division. Changes include the registered agent's name and address.

Operating Agreement

Cost: $0, or up to $500+

LLCs in New Hampshire are not required to have an operating agreement. However, it's recommended because it defines important rules and regulations that all members must follow.

An LLC operating agreement contains the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of each member
  
• How new or departing members will be treated
  
• How business profits and losses will be divided

Ideally, you should already have a signed Operating Agreement before forming an LLC in New Hampshire. But if your LLC is already formed, you can always draft it yourself after.

Alternatively, an LLC attorney might charge you a $500 flat fee for a standard operating agreement. If you have more complex details, the cost could be higher.

Employer Identification Number

Cost: $0, or $50 to $99

Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

You can just apply for an EIN for free on the IRS website. But if you'd like an LLC service to process it for you, you can do so for a small fee. Here are some providers that do this and their pricing:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $50
  
• Bizee: $70
  
• ZenBusiness: $99

Single-member LLCs in New Hampshire don't require an EIN, but it's almost essential in practice. For instance, you'll need one if you hire employees or want to open a business bank account.

Name Reservation

Cost: $15 (paper) | $17 (online)^[9]

You can reserve your desired business name first if you already have one in mind but aren't ready to form an LLC yet. This will prevent others from using that name for 120 days.^[3]

Don't forget to review New Hampshire's naming regulations. For example, an LLC name must include LLC, Ltd., or similar.

Trade Name

Cost: $50+^[10]

A trade name (also known as "Doing Business As" or DBA) allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name registered with the state. Some LLCs use a DBA for branding purposes, like using a name without "LLC" at the end.

In New Hampshire, it costs $50 to register a DBA with the state, and it must be renewed every five years. However, it might cost more because some cities have local charges for DBA registrations.

Certificate of Amendment

Cost: $35 (paper) | $37 (online)^[1]

Your New Hampshire LLC's Certificate of Formation contains specific details about your business. Should these details change, you must file an amendment with the Corporation Division.

File a Certificate of Amendment if you:

• Change the LLC name
  
• Move to a new location
  
• Appoint a new registered agent

You must also file a statement of change with the $15 filing fee if you update your registered agent's details.^[1] Some registered agent services shoulder this fee for new customers.

Certificate of Good Standing

Cost: $5 (paper) | $7 (online)^[11]

A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document issued by the Secretary of State. It verifies that your LLC is updated with all state filings and has paid all its fees and taxes.

You might need a Certificate of Good Standing to:

• Open a bank account
  
• Apply for business loans
  
• Qualify for business insurance
  
• Conduct business as a foreign LLC

Certified Copies

Cost: $5 + $1 per page^[3]

Certified copies of documents verify that your LLC is legitimate and that its details are accurate.

You might need them for situations like opening a business bank account or expanding your LLC to another state.

Additionally, some LLCs keep certified copies of their initial Certificate of Formation and amendments (if any) for recordkeeping purposes.

Business Website Domain

Annual Fee: $10 to $20

A website domain and social media presence provide dedicated online spaces for your business. It's essential for marketing, customer engagement, and brand visibility in today's digital world.

Even if you aren't planning to build a business website now, you could still buy the domain name. This will prevent others from using your LLC's name as a web address.

Business Insurance Premiums

Cost: Varies

Most businesses with employees in New Hampshire must have workers' compensation insurance. You can purchase one from a carrier or join the state's assigned risk pool.

Additionally, consider protecting your LLC's assets with other types of insurance:

• General liability insurance
  
• Commercial property insurance
  
• Professional liability insurance
  
• Cyber liability insurance

The cost depends on factors like the number of employees, the risk level of your industry, and your past insurance claims.

Curious to know how much it costs to maintain an LLC in New Hampshire? Use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your ongoing expenses.

Bottom Line

You need at least $100 to form an LLC in New Hampshire. First-year expenses may also include trade name filing fees, business license registrations, and registered agent services.

That said, the total cost of forming an LLC in New Hampshire will increase depending on the additional services, documents, and licenses you need. Ultimately, it's never a bad idea to set aside an extra budget for unexpected fees.

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