New Hampshire LLC Formation
Cost Calculator

Forming an LLC in New Hampshire requires a state filing fee of $100. Combined with a registered agent ($150/year estimated), annual report fees of $100, your first-year total comes to approximately $350.

The standard processing time for New Hampshire LLC filings is 3 business days. Online filing through the New Hampshire Secretary of State is available and typically processes faster than paper filings.

New Hampshire LLCs are governed by N.H. Rev.

Stat. Ann.

§ 304-C:1. New Hampshire has no state income or sales tax, making it attractive for LLCs.

Annual reports are due April 1. NH is particularly popular with New England entrepreneurs.

New Hampshire does not have a Series LLC statute. New Hampshire's charging order is the exclusive remedy for LLC creditors.

Professionals (attorneys, CPAs, architects, engineers, physicians) in New Hampshire must form a Professional LLC (PLLC) or Professional Association (PA). New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages or salaries (though there is a 5% Business Profits Tax on net income over $50,000 and a Business Enterprise Tax of 0.55% on enterprise value) — making NH attractive for pass-through LLC income.

New Hampshire's Division of Economic Development and NH SBDC provide business resources. New Hampshire's Coos County Tax Incentive program supports economic development in the North Country.

New Hampshire's proximity to the Boston metro area and Massachusetts tech ecosystem drives LLC formation in consulting, software, and professional services.

After initial formation, New Hampshire LLCs face ongoing compliance costs. The annual report fee is $100, which must be filed to keep your LLC in good standing.

A registered agent — required by New Hampshire law — typically costs $100–$300/year depending on the service provider.

Expect annual ongoing costs of approximately $250 for a New Hampshire LLC (registered agent + annual fees). This does not include business licenses, professional fees, or taxes.

New Hampshire may also require local business licenses depending on your municipality and business type. Many cities require a business license ranging from $25 to $500/year.

Check with your county clerk's office for local requirements beyond the state-level LLC registration.

Many entrepreneurs consider forming their LLC in a different state — most commonly Delaware, Wyoming, or Nevada — to take advantage of favorable laws. However, if you operate primarily in New Hampshire, you will likely still need to register as a foreign LLC in New Hampshire, paying both that state's fees AND New Hampshire's foreign registration fee, making domestic registration typically more cost-effective.

Delaware, Wyoming, and Nevada are popular for their advanced LLC laws, privacy protections, and tax benefits. However, for a small business operating solely in New Hampshire, forming domestically is usually simpler and more cost-effective.

An attorney or business formation service can help you decide the optimal formation state for your specific situation. Factors include where you'll operate, the nature of your assets, investor requirements, and long-term exit plans.

While New Hampshire does not legally require an LLC operating agreement, it is strongly recommended for all New Hampshire LLCs. An operating agreement defines member rights, profit distribution, voting procedures, and what happens if a member leaves or the LLC is dissolved.

Without an operating agreement, New Hampshire's default LLC rules under N.H. Rev.

Stat. Ann.

§ 304-C:1 will govern your business, which may not align with your intentions. For single-member LLCs, an operating agreement helps establish the legal separation between you and the business — important for liability protection.

Operating agreements drafted by an attorney in New Hampshire typically cost $500–$1,500 for simple agreements or $1,500–$3,000 for complex multi-member structures. Online templates are available but may miss state-specific provisions.

New Hampshire requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent — an individual or company with a physical address in New Hampshire who can accept legal documents during business hours. You can serve as your own registered agent, use an owner or employee at a New Hampshire address, or hire a professional registered agent service.

Professional registered agent services in New Hampshire typically cost $100–$300/year and offer advantages including privacy (your home address isn't public record), reliability (they never miss service of process), and compliance reminders for annual report deadlines.

Failing to maintain a registered agent in New Hampshire can result in administrative dissolution of your LLC. If you move or change addresses, update your registered agent information with the New Hampshire Secretary of State promptly.

By default, a single-member LLC in New Hampshire is taxed as a sole proprietorship, and a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership — both pass-through entities where profits are reported on the owners' personal tax returns. New Hampshire LLCs can also elect S-Corp or C-Corp tax treatment for potential tax savings.

New Hampshire may impose its own state income tax on LLC profits. Depending on your revenue and structure, an S-Corp election can sometimes reduce self-employment taxes, though this adds payroll complexity.

Consult a CPA familiar with New Hampshire tax law before making tax elections.

New Hampshire LLCs may also be subject to state sales tax if selling taxable products or services. Register for a sales tax permit with New Hampshire's Department of Revenue and file returns on the schedule required for your revenue level.

LLC formation is just the beginning of the legal and financial structure. If the LLC will hold real property, the New Hampshire Closing Cost Estimator breaks down buyer transaction costs when acquiring property in the entity name.

For businesses checking statute of limitations exposure on contracts, the New Hampshire Statute of Limitations Lookup covers written contract and business dispute filing deadlines. And if you're a sole proprietor evaluating whether a bankruptcy fresh start makes sense before forming the LLC, the New Hampshire Chapter 7 Means Test Calculator determines eligibility for Chapter 7 discharge.