- Filing fee
- $50
- Annual Statement
- $25
- First-year gov. cost
- $50
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Michigan will accept
Reserving an entity name secures the name for 180 days.
Search existing Michigan business names before you commit. Michigan naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Referred to as a Resident Agent, this individual or entity must have a physical Michigan address.
File the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD 700)
Submit it to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division through the official filing portal and pay $50. Exceptionally low $50 fee.
Processing: online 10 business days; by mail 4 weeks. Expedite: 24-hour for $50, same-day for $100, 2-hour for $500, and 1-hour for $1,000..
Write an operating agreement
Not required to be filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Statement ($25), due February 15. No monetary late penalty for a standard LLC, but failing to file for two consecutive years results in a loss of good standing. Michigan report deadlines.
Every Michigan LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD 700) | $50 | Exceptionally low $50 fee. |
| Annual Statement | $25 | annual, February 15 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 180 days |
| Change of registered agent | $5 | Updating the agent is highly affordable at $5. |
| Amendment | $25 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $10 | |
| Application for Certificate of Authority (Form 760) | $50 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Certificate of Dissolution (CSCL/CD 731) | $10 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $25 | state |
How Michigan compares nationally
- Michigan's filing fee of $50 is the 4th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Michigan's first-year government cost of $50 is the 4th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Michigan's yearly cost after that of $25 is the 18th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division costs $50 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Michigan street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Michigan's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Michigan fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $50 | $0 |
| Northwest | $89 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $50 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No specific LLC franchise tax exists. Flat state income tax rate of 4.25% on earnings.
What's different about Michigan
- The inversion of the tax clearance process, file first and ask for clearance later, simplifies shutting down a business.
- The absence of an annual report late fee is highly unusual.
- Purely localized retail/service enterprises do not need a state-level general business license.
More Michigan LLC guides
Michigan LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations Division charges $50 to file the Articles of Organization (Form CSCL/CD 700). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $50 in government fees (Formation fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Michigan?
Online: 10 business days. By mail: 4 weeks. Expedited: 24-hour for $50, same-day for $100, 2-hour for $500, and 1-hour for $1,000..
Does a Michigan LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Michigan requires the Annual Statement, which costs $25, filed annual. Due: February 15. No monetary late penalty for a standard LLC, but failing to file for two consecutive years results in a loss of good standing.
Can I be my own registered agent in Michigan?
Usually, if you meet the requirements. Referred to as a Resident Agent, this individual or entity must have a physical Michigan address. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Michigan require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Michigan has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Michigan?
Not required to be filed.
What taxes does a Michigan LLC pay to the state?
No specific LLC franchise tax exists. Flat state income tax rate of 4.25% on earnings.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: ra.self allowed.