Pennsylvania LLC Cost (2026): $125 to Form, $7 a Year to Keep
By Frédéric Deltour, Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, 22+ years forming and operating companies.
Published: September 12, 2026 · Last updated: October 10, 2026
For years Pennsylvania was the state where an LLC could go a decade without a single state filing. That changed in 2025. Act 122 of 2022 replaced the decennial report with a yearly one, so the state's rock-bottom ongoing cost now comes with a deadline you have to hit every year. The fee itself is still only $7.
The $125 Certificate of Organization
A Pennsylvania LLC is formed by filing a Certificate of Organization with the Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. Most owners file online through the Business Filing Services portal at file.dos.pa.gov. The fee is $125. You need the LLC name, a registered office address in Pennsylvania (or a commercial registered office provider), and the name of each organizer.
Pennsylvania lets you list a commercial registered office provider instead of a street address. That is how a service like Northwest keeps your home address off the certificate.
Pennsylvania lets you name a commercial registered office provider so your home address stays off the public record. $39 formation + $125 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.The $7 Annual Report That Replaced the Decennial Report
Starting in 2025, every Pennsylvania LLC files an annual report between January 1 and September 30. The fee for an LLC is $7. A new LLC does not file in the calendar year it is formed: an LLC formed in October 2026 files its first report during 2027.
The report confirms basic details such as the registered office, principal office, and the name of at least one governor. It takes a few minutes online. Many owners of older LLCs still believe they file once every ten years, which is exactly how good standing gets lost.
No Late Fee, but a Dissolution Deadline
Pennsylvania does not charge a dollar penalty for a late annual report. Instead, an LLC that has not filed within six months after the September 30 due date can be administratively dissolved. The Department of State announced that this enforcement starts with 2027 annual reports, so 2025 and 2026 act as a grace period.
Getting reinstated costs more than filing on time: the reinstatement filing is $35 online or $40 on paper, plus $15 for each missed report on top of the $7 report fees. A dissolved LLC can also lose its name to another filer.
Philadelphia and Other Local Costs
- Income tax: by default an LLC's profit passes through to the owners, who pay Pennsylvania's 3.07% flat personal income tax.
- Philadelphia: businesses in the city need a Commercial Activity License and are subject to the city's Business Income and Receipts Tax, separate from state fees.
- Local earned income taxes: many Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy their own earned income tax, which applies to owners based on where they live and work.
Pennsylvania 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $164 ($125 filing + $39, RA free) | $132 ($7 annual report + $125 RA) | $132 (same) | $428 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $224 ($125 + $0 + $99 RA) | $206 ($7 + $199 RA) | $206 (same) | $636 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $125 (Certificate of Organization) | $7 (annual report) | $7 (annual report) | $139 |
At $139 in state fees over three years, Pennsylvania is one of the cheapest states in the country to keep an LLC in good standing. Most of the $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is the registered agent, which is what keeps a home address off the certificate.
Form your Pennsylvania LLC for $39 + $125 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Pennsylvania LLC may not be worth it yet: the state fees are tiny, so cost is rarely the reason to wait. The real question is whether you need liability separation now. A side project with no clients or contracts can start as a sole proprietorship and convert later.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Pennsylvania?
$125 to file the Certificate of Organization with the Pennsylvania Department of State. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $164 including a free first year of registered agent service.
Does Pennsylvania still have a decennial report?
No. Since 2025, Pennsylvania LLCs file a $7 annual report between January 1 and September 30 each year, starting the year after formation.
What happens if I miss the Pennsylvania annual report?
There is no dollar late fee. An LLC that has not filed within six months after the due date can be administratively dissolved, enforced starting with 2027 reports. Reinstatement costs $35 online plus $15 per missed report and the $7 report fees.
Do Pennsylvania LLCs pay franchise tax?
No. LLCs taxed as partnerships or disregarded entities pay no Pennsylvania franchise tax. Owners pay the 3.07% personal income tax on their share of profit.
Related Guides
- Pennsylvania LLC Formation: Complete Guide
- Best LLC Service in Pennsylvania
- LLC Formation Cost: What You'll Actually Pay
- Cheapest States to Form an LLC
In his 22 years of entrepreneurship, Frédéric Deltour has founded, grown and managed seven NGO's and international companies across diverse industries, including 3 LLCs formed using Northwest Registered Agent. He is a recognized therapist trainer, a published author, and has been featured in Le Parisien, IMDb, Goodreads, and international encyclopedias.
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