LLC Tax Calculator
A single-member LLC is taxed the same as a sole proprietor by default — profit passes through to your personal return and is subject to self-employment tax — but every state also charges its own annual LLC fee or franchise tax. Enter your expected net profit to see the full 2026 cost of doing business as an LLC.
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LLC tax and fees by state
Annual LLC fees range from $0 to $800 depending on the state. Jump to your state for a pre-filled breakdown:
Frequently asked questions
Does forming an LLC lower my taxes? +
No, not by default. A single-member LLC is taxed exactly like a sole proprietorship — all profit passes through to your personal return and is subject to the same 15.3% self-employment tax. The only difference is the state LLC fee added on top.
Why form an LLC if it doesn't save on tax? +
Liability protection, not tax savings — an LLC separates your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. Tax savings only come from a separate choice: electing S-corp taxation on top of the LLC.
Can an LLC elect S-corp taxation? +
Yes. An LLC can file to be taxed as an S-corp, which can reduce self-employment tax on the profit above a reasonable salary. See our S-corp election calculator to check whether that trade-off is worth it for your numbers.
What's the LLC fee based on? +
It varies entirely by state, from $0 to $800 per year, structured either as a flat franchise tax (like California's $800 minimum) or an annual or biennial report fee.
Do I have to pay the LLC fee even with no profit? +
Usually yes — most state LLC fees are flat regardless of income. California's $800 minimum franchise tax is the best-known example of a fee owed even in a loss year.
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