- Filing fee
- $150
- Annual Report
- $55
- First-year gov. cost
- $150
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name South Dakota will accept
Must be distinguishable and include a proper designator.
Search existing South Dakota business names before you commit. South Dakota naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical South Dakota address (no PO boxes) required. Individual resident or commercial entity can serve.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare South Dakota registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the South Dakota Secretary of State through the official filing portal and pay $150. $150 online; paper mail incurs a $15 processing surcharge ($165 total).
Processing: online Immediately; by mail 3 to 5 business days. Expedite: Paper filers can request expedited processing for an additional $50..
Write an operating agreement
Not required to be filed, highly recommended to establish firm internal governance.
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 Report ($55), due First day of the LLC's anniversary month. $55 late penalty if more than two months delinquent South Dakota report deadlines.
Every South Dakota LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $150 | $150 online; paper mail incurs a $15 processing surcharge ($165 total). |
| Annual Report | $55 | annual, First day of the LLC's anniversary month |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $10 | $10 online or $25 by mail. |
| Amendment | $60 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $20 | |
| Application for Certificate of Authority | $750 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Termination | $10 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $10 | state |
How South Dakota compares nationally
- South Dakota's filing fee of $150 is the 13th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- South Dakota's first-year government cost of $150 is the 16th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- South Dakota's yearly cost after that of $55 is the 23rd highest 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 South Dakota Secretary of State costs $150 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a South Dakota 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 South Dakota's own fees:
| Route | Year one with South Dakota fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $150 | $0 |
| Northwest | $189 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $150 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Zero corporate income tax and zero personal income tax. No minimum franchise tax. Standard state sales tax is 4.2%.
What's different about South Dakota
- Explicitly authorizes Series LLCs (Master Series LLC costs $200).
- New 2027 law will allow LLCs to opt out of the anniversary-month report and elect a standard January 31 deadline.
More South Dakota LLC guides
South Dakota LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Secretary of State charges $150 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $150 in government fees (Online filing fee for Articles of Organization.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in South Dakota?
Online: Immediately. By mail: 3 to 5 business days. Expedited: Paper filers can request expedited processing for an additional $50..
Does a South Dakota LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. South Dakota requires the Annual Report, which costs $55, filed annual. Due: First day of the LLC's anniversary month. $55 late penalty if more than two months delinquent
Can I be my own registered agent in South Dakota?
Yes. Physical South Dakota address (no PO boxes) required. Individual resident or commercial entity can serve. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does South Dakota require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. South Dakota has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in South Dakota?
Not required to be filed, highly recommended to establish firm internal governance.
What taxes does a South Dakota LLC pay to the state?
Zero corporate income tax and zero personal income tax. No minimum franchise tax. Standard state sales tax is 4.2%.
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.