How Much Does It Cost To Start A West Virginia LLC? (Fees & Taxes Revealed)
Hire Professionals to Create a West Virginia LLC (from $0 + state fees)
Forming an LLC in West Virginia may appear costly, however, the expenses can be substantially minimized. Here is a detailed explanation of all the initial and ongoing West Virginia LLC cost details as well as clever advice on how to save money.
Want to start your own LLC? Take a look at our easy step-by-step guide on how to start your own LLC in any state (including West Virginia).
If you want to skip the hassle of starting a West Virginia LLC yourself, consider using professional help for the best price in the market:
- Northwest Registered Agent ($39+state fees) (best support)
- ZenBusiness ($0+state fees) (best price)
- Hire Professionals to Create a West Virginia LLC (from $0 + state fees)
- Quick Costs for West Virginia LLC Breakdown & Best Options
- Pros and Cons of Start Your LLC in West Virginia
- How Much Does an LLC Cost in West Virginia?
- West Virginia LLC Online Filing Fee ($100)
- West Virginia Annual Report Fee ($25)
- West Virginia Foreign LLC Cost ($150)
- West Virginia Registered Agent Fee ($39 or $125/year)
- LLC Operating Agreement Fee ($0)
- LLC EIN Number Fee ($0)
- West Virginia Business Registration Certificate ($30)
- West Virginia Business License and Permit Fees (varies)
- Other LLC Taxes (varies)
- Other LLC Filing Costs (Optional)
- Cost of Filing Formation Certificates
- Costs Change Often. Where Can I Find the Most Up-to-date Cost & Tax Info?
- How to Start an LLC in West Virginia?
- Get Professional Help in Forming an LLC in West Virginia
- FAQs
Quick Costs for West Virginia LLC Breakdown & Best Options
| Who forms the LLC? | Total fees |
You form the LLC in West Virginia Yourself | $170 = $100 Articles of Organization + $25 Annual Fee + $30 Business registration + $15 Name reservation |
| by using ZenBusiness | $0 + state fees |
| by using Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fees |
| see our other best LLC service providers | varies |
Pros and Cons of Start Your LLC in West Virginia
All LLC members must take a look at these pros and cons before starting their LLC in the State.
PROS
Starting a business in West Virginia with a Limited Liability Company is surprisingly easy and provides many advantages.
CONS
Starting a limited liability company (LLC) in West Virginia may have its benefits, but it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks.
While the rewards of starting an LLC in West Virginia can be worthwhile, it is important to consider these two cons before diving into the process.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in West Virginia?
Here are the main costs and fees related to forming an LLC in West Virginia.
West Virginia LLC Online Filing Fee ($100)
One of the most significant costs to initiate an LLC is the $100 you’ll have to pay when filing West Virginia LLC Articles of Organization online with West Virginia’s Secretary of State.
West Virginia Annual Report Fee ($25)
All LLCs in West Virginia must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State before July 1st each year. If you don’t submit your form on time, there will be a $50 penalty assessed by the state. You can conveniently and easily complete this requirement through the WV One Stop Business Portal website today!
West Virginia Foreign LLC Cost ($150)
Ready to expand your business from another state and open up shop in West Virginia? You’ll need to go through the process of registering your LLC as a foreign entity. An Application for Certificate of Authority (Form LLF-1) is required, with a registration fee of just $150. Don’t wait – make the move to West Virginia today and unlock new opportunities!
West Virginia Registered Agent Fee ($39 or $125/year)
You are not obligated by West Virginia law to name a Registered Agent when launching your LLC, but it is highly recommended. A Registered Agent in the state of West Virginia essentially receives legal documents and notifications from the government on behalf of your LLC. The registered Agent must be a West Virginia resident. If you choose to omit this field or become your own registered agent then there won’t be any additional charges incurred ($0).
Here are our recommended Agent service providers:
- Northwest Registered Agent services is the perfect choice for those seeking to establish a new business and gain access to a registered agent, with a full LLC creation package starting at only $39 + state fees
OR:
- When you only require a professional registered agent service, Northwest is the perfect solution. Their exceptional RA service comes at an unbeatable price of $125/year!
LLC Operating Agreement Fee ($0)
If you are a Single-Member or Multi-Member LLC, it is vital to have an Operating Agreement that covers ownership details and management of your business.
Furthermore, this document should outline how profits will be distributed among the Members. Fortunately, obtaining such an agreement doesn’t need to strain your wallet either; most websites offer them for as low as $50-$200!
To ensure the utmost protection against any future disputes between members in West Virginia, make sure to draft one today – keep a copy with your other business documents and provide each Member with their own individual one too.
LLC EIN Number Fee ($0)
An EIN Number also referred to as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), is essential for various activities such as filing income taxes, establishing your LLC bank account, and hiring employees. It can be obtained free of charge even though many websites advertise this service with a fee attached. Don’t waste your hard-earned money! Get your EIN without paying anything extra today!
If you’re looking to incorporate your LLC, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can provide an EIN free of charge. The process is a breeze and takes just a few moments when done online!
West Virginia Business Registration Certificate ($30)
West Virginia LLCs must acquire a Business Registration Certificate from the State Tax Department, an ingredient that comes with a one-time fee of $30. The best part? This license is perpetual–it doesn’t have to be renewed unless you alter your business’ name or location.
West Virginia Business License and Permit Fees (varies)
If your West Virginia LLC is operating in a particular area or industry, you may need to obtain additional Business Licenses or Permits. For instance, some cities require City Business License for businesses and the cost of such license varies from place to place based on its location and sector. Moreover, licenses/permits are either issued by state departments or municipal authorities (towns, cities, counties). Despite their minimal fees generally speaking these licenses are essential for running successful business operations in many states worldwide!
Other LLC Taxes (varies)
There are many different types of West Virginia LLC taxes that owners must pay, so this annual cost varies widely.
Some of the taxes LLC owners pay include:
The exact amount of taxes that your West Virginia LLC may be liable for cannot easily be estimated without knowing the details about your business and industry. Accounting specialists can best inform you regarding what taxes are applicable to your specific circumstances and how much those will add up to. Your West Virginia business taxes vary depending on the type of activity conducted by the LLC as well as its total income, so ensure you get an expert opinion before deciding upon a course of action.
Other LLC Filing Costs (Optional)
There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:
LLC Name Reservation ($15)
Secure your name when you file Form NR-1 and pay the nominal fee of $15. You have up to 120 days before officially forming an LLC, so make sure to reserve it right away!
Foreign LLC Name Registration ($25)
If you’re a Foreign LLC, it’s possible to submit Form NR-2 and pay the associated $25 fee in order to register your business under an alternate name.
“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name ($25)
To create a business name that is distinctive from your legal LLC name, file an Application for Trade Name (Form NR-3) and pay the $25 filing fee.
Certified Document Copies ($15)
Easily obtain a certified copy of your West Virginia business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State for only $15 for your company formation documents and an extra $5 for any subsequent amendment or document filing.
Certificate of Existence ($10)
Accessible through the West Virginia Secretary of State, a Certificate of Good Standing can be procured with a mere $10 fee. This document is frequently requested by banks and institutions that are offering loans or other types of financial aid.
Cost of Filing Formation Certificates
| West Virginia | Domestic LLC | Foreign LLC |
| Online Filing | $100 | $150 |
| Annual Report | $25 | $25 |
| Name Reservation fee | $15 | $25 |
| By Mail | By Mail: Fill out the application form, and send it to any of the following addresses: Charleston Office One-Stop Business Center 1615 Washington St. E. Charleston, WV 25311. Clarksburg Office North Central WV Business Center 200 W. Main St. Clarksburg, WV 26301.Martinsburg Office Eastern Panhandle Business Center 229 E. Martin St. Martinsburg, WV 25401.Costs $100. | By Mail: Fill out the application form, and send it to any of the following addresses: Charleston Office One-Stop Business Center 1615 Washington St. E. Charleston, WV 25311. Clarksburg Office North Central WV Business Center 200 W. Main St. Clarksburg, WV 26301. Martinsburg Office Eastern Panhandle Business Center 229 E. Martin St. Martinsburg, WV 25401Costs $150. |
Costs Change Often. Where Can I Find the Most Up-to-date Cost & Tax Info?
Are you puzzled about the cost associated with opening a West Virginia LLC? Don’t worry! The West Virginia Secretary of State is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm Eastern Time. Simply call their office at 304-558-8000 and they will be able to answer all your questions.
How to Start an LLC in West Virginia?
After you are done analyzing your budget and costs for LLC in West Virginia it’s time to start your own LLC. Follow these basic steps in order to form your LLC.
Step 1: Choose a Name for Your LLC
Registering an LLC in West Virginia requires that the company name contain “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” or any other variants of these words, such as Ltd., Co., etc. Moreover, your business must have a unique entity name from those already listed on the Secretary of State’s database; you can confirm this through their online business search tool!
You can keep a name for up to 120 days when you submit the Application for Name Reservation (Form NR-1) to the West Virginia Secretary of State. Please send your application via postal mail within this time frame if you wish to reserve it.
Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
If you’re forming a West Virginia LLC, it is imperative to appoint an agent of service in the state. This refers to an individual or company that has agreed to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC if ever needed. The registered agent may be from within West Virginia itself or a corporation authorized by the state. One important thing: they must have a legitimate street address located inside West Virginia for this purpose!
Step 3: File Articles of Organization
By filing the Articles of Organization (Form LLD-1) with the West Virginia Secretary of State, you can form a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Step 4: Prepare an Operating Agreement
While an LLC operating agreement isn’t legally necessary in West Virginia, it is strongly recommended. This internal document outlines how your company will run and the rights and duties of members/managers – including management guidelines. Moreover, it demonstrates that your LLC is a distinct business entity that provides you with greater protection against personal legal liability. Without such a contract, state law dictates the terms governing the operation of your limited liability firm.
Step 5: Obtain an EIN
If your LLC has multiple members, you must get its own IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) even if it does not have any employees. However, one-member LLCs only need to apply for an EIN in the case that they will be hiring people or electing to be taxed as a corporation rather than a sole proprietorship. Fortunately, getting this identification number is free and easy; all you have to do is head over to the IRS website and fill out their online application! There’s no charge whatsoever.
Step 6: Annual Report
All domestic and foreign LLCs doing business in West Virginia are required to submit an annual report along with a filing fee of $25 between January 1st and July 1st of each year. The Secretary of State will send out Annual Report notifications either via mail or email around the beginning of every new year, offering a convenient way for everyone to comply. You can easily take care of this requirement by visiting the WV One Stop Business Portal, or simply downloading and filling out the Annual Report form before mailing it off!
Get Professional Help in Forming an LLC in West Virginia
It can be difficult and time-consuming to form a West Virginia LLC all by yourself.
That’s why we decided to give you a few of the best options for professional services that can help you start an LLC in no time & with 0 effort!
#1 – Form an LLC in West Virginia Using Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest has vast experience in creating LLCs and Corporations. They by far have the best support and client satisfaction rate. We’ve used and tested them ourselves and can guarantee that they’ll do an exceptional job for you.
You can read our full Northwest review here.
$39+State Fees
Rating: 4.9/5
Review count: 4850+
Form an LLC today with Nortwest. They have 98% customer satisfaction rating and over 4150+ verified reviews. They will include 1 year of free registered agent service!
#2 – ZenBusiness Will Form an LLC in West Virginia
ZenBusiness is one of our top-rated LLC services as well. They have a super value-to-price ratio. And it’s perfect for those who are looking for the cheapest option to form their LLCs. When we tested their service — they’ve done a great job, so we can honestly recommend them.
To know more about them — read our full ZenBusiness review here.
$0 + State Fees
Rating: 4.8/5
Review count: 4830+
Form an LLC today with ZenBusiness for only $0 + State fees. They Have 98% customer satisfaction rating and over 4830+ verified reviews.