 Washington |  Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| All-in to start with usOur $40 fee with the EIN, the registered agent for the first year, and the state fee. | $285 | $392 |
| State filing fee | $200 | $307 |
| Typical approval time | 1–3 business days | 3–5 business days |
| What the state asks each year | Annual report $70 | Franchise tax report (no tax under threshold) |
| Yearly state cost, about | $70 | $0 |
| Total over 5 years, aboutFormation, then four years of registered agent ($45) and state fees. Excludes bookkeeping and IRS filings, which are the same in every state. | $745 | $572 |
| State income tax on wages | None | None |
| Owners in the public formation document | Can be listed | Can be listed |
| Newspaper publication after formation | No | No |
Washington against Texas
Advantages
- Cheaper to form: $200 state fee against $307 in Texas.
- Faster approval: usually 1–3 business days, against 3–5 business days.
Disadvantages
- About $70 a year more to keep than Texas (annual report $70).
Texas against Washington
Advantages
- No yearly state fee (franchise tax report (no tax under threshold)), against about $70 a year in Washington.
- A large economy, and a name that reads well on an invoice.
Disadvantages
- Costs $107 more to form than Washington.
- Slower approval: usually 3–5 business days.
Which one to choose
For the lowest cost over time, Texas: about $173 less over five years.
If speed matters most, Washington is usually approved sooner (1–3 business days).
If your company will have staff, an office or a warehouse in one particular state, form it there: otherwise you register in that state anyway. Federal taxes and IRS filings are the same in every state.
General information about the states, not legal or tax advice. State fees change occasionally; the price at checkout is the price you pay.
Washington or Texas
Questions about this comparison
Is a Washington or a Texas LLC cheaper?
Washington is cheaper to form: $285 all-in with us, against $392. Each year after, Washington costs the state about $70 and Texas about $0, plus $45 for the registered agent.
Which is faster, Washington or Texas?
Washington usually approves an LLC in 1–3 business days, Texas in 3–5 business days. We file within 48 hours of payment in either state.
Can a non-US resident form an LLC in Washington or Texas?
Yes, in both. Neither state asks for citizenship or residency, and the registered agent we include provides the in-state address. The EIN is included without an SSN.
Another pair