- Filing fee
- $155
- Annual Report
- $45
- First-year gov. cost
- $155
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Vermont will accept
Must include standard designators and be distinguishable.
Search existing Vermont business names before you commit. Vermont naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Agent with a physical Vermont street address is mandatory.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Vermont registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division through the official filing portal and pay $155. Applies equally to online and paper submissions.
Processing: online Under 1 business day; by mail 7 to 10 business days. Expedite: Does not currently publish paid expedited tiers..
Write an operating agreement
Heavily recommended for internal rules but strictly internal and not 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 Report ($45), due Within 3 months of the fiscal year-end (March 31 for calendar-year LLCs). No late fee Vermont report deadlines.
Every Vermont LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $155 | Applies equally to online and paper submissions. |
| Annual Report | $45 | annual, Within 3 months of the fiscal year-end (March 31 for calendar-year LLCs) |
| Minimum state tax | $250 | Owed regardless of income |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $35 | |
| Amendment | $35 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $25 | |
| Application for Certificate of Authority | $155 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Termination | $20 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $70 | state |
How Vermont compares nationally
- Vermont's filing fee of $155 is the 11th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Vermont's first-year government cost of $155 is the 14th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Vermont's yearly cost after that of $45 is the 25th 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 Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division costs $155 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Vermont 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 Vermont's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Vermont fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $155 | $0 |
| Northwest | $194 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $155 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Single-member LLCs owe no entity-level tax. Multi-member LLCs owe a mandatory minimum Business Entity Income Tax of $250 every year.
What's different about Vermont
- Structural tax split: single-member LLCs escape entity tax, while multi-member LLCs face a $250 annual minimum.
- Legally recognizes blockchain-based LLCs and Low-Profit LLCs (L3Cs).
More Vermont LLC guides
Vermont LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Vermont?
The Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $155 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $155 in government fees (Articles of Organization fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Vermont?
Online: Under 1 business day. By mail: 7 to 10 business days. Expedited: Does not currently publish paid expedited tiers..
Does a Vermont LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Vermont requires the Annual Report, which costs $45, filed annual. Due: Within 3 months of the fiscal year-end (March 31 for calendar-year LLCs). No late fee
Can I be my own registered agent in Vermont?
Yes. Agent with a physical Vermont street address is mandatory. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Vermont require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Vermont has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Vermont?
Heavily recommended for internal rules but strictly internal and not filed.
What taxes does a Vermont LLC pay to the state?
Single-member LLCs owe no entity-level tax. Multi-member LLCs owe a mandatory minimum Business Entity Income Tax of $250 every year.
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.