Vermont LLC Cost (2025): Filing Fees & Annual Costs

How much does a Vermont LLC cost in 2025? The short answer: it’s $155 to file your Articles of Organization, plus a $45 annual report due within 3 months after your fiscal year ends. Many owners also pay $99–$300/year for a registered agent, and most pass-through LLCs owe Vermont’s $250 Business Entity Tax. Below you’ll find every required and optional fee so you can budget with confidence.

Vermont LLC Filing Fees (Formation)

Before you file, lock down the real state charges so you can budget accurately. Vermont publishes LLC fees by statute and keeps the process simple: one formation filing fee, a few optional filings, and no paid “rush” lane for online submissions. Below, you’ll see the exact amounts for Articles of Organization, foreign registration, name reservation, DBA/trade names, and certified records, plus how online vs. mail affects timing, so you can choose only what you need and avoid surprise add-ons.

Articles of Organization

Filing your Articles of Organization is what legally creates your Vermont LLC. The state filing fee is 155, and Vermont charges the same amount whether you file online or by mail. Most founders use the Secretary of State’s online portal because it’s faster and provides immediate submission confirmation plus a stamped copy once approved. Your filing typically lists the LLC name, principal office, a registered agent with a Vermont street address, and whether the company is member- or manager-managed. You don’t file an operating agreement with the state, but you should create one for your records and obtain an EIN after approval. Vermont doesn’t offer a paid expedited lane (online filing is already the fastest) so budget only the 155 formation fee unless you also order optional items like certified copies or a name reservation.

Foreign LLC Registration fee (out-of-state)

If your LLC is formed elsewhere but will do business in Vermont, you must foreign-qualify by filing an application for a certificate of authority. Vermont charges $155 for this registration, matching the domestic formation price.  If you haven’t chosen a state yet, compare the best states to form an LLC.

Name Reservation (optional)

Not quite ready to file? You can reserve an LLC name for 120 days (first run a quick Vermont business name search). Current legislative materials and practice guides indicate a $20 reservation fee per 120-day period (renewable up to two additional times). Most filers skip this and go straight to the Articles, but reservation helps if you need a short runway.

DBA/Trade Name Filing (if used)

If you’ll operate under a brand different from your LLC’s legal name, Vermont lets you register an assumed business (DBA/trade name). The initial registration is $70, and the renewal every five years is $65, these figures come from the statute and compliance trackers updated in late 2024. (Some blogs list $50/$40; those are older amounts). Not sure if a DBA is enough or you need an LLC? See our guide on LLC vs DBA (what’s the difference).

Certified Copies and Certificate of Good Standing

Banks, lenders, and other states often ask for official documents. Vermont’s certified copies of filed records and the certificate of good standing (a/k/a certificate of status/existence) are each $25 per document. You order them through the Secretary of State’s system when needed.

Formation fees at a glance:

Note on outdated guides: amounts like $125 for Articles or $50/$40 for DBAs still appear on older pages. Vermont’s current fee regime reflects $155 for Articles/Foreign Authority and $70/$65 for DBA initial/renewal. When in doubt, confirm in the statute fee table (§ 4012) and current SoS materials.

Vermont LLC Annual Costs (Ongoing)

Vermont keeps recurring state costs simple: one annual report to stay in good standing, plus whatever you choose to spend on a registered agent service, licenses/permits, and basic business tools. If your LLC is taxed as a partnership or S-corp, budget separately for Vermont’s Business Entity Tax (BET). Statutes and current guidance below confirm the amounts and timing under the latest updates.

Annual Report Fee and Due Date

Every Vermont LLC must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The state fee is $45, and the report is due within three months after your fiscal year ends. Most LLCs use a calendar year, so they file January 1–March 31. Missing the window risks loss of good standing and eventual administrative termination.

What to remember each year: set a calendar reminder for the first business day after your fiscal year end; file online and keep the receipt with your company records. (If you see older guides quoting $35, those pages are out of date.)

Bonus tax reminder for pass-through LLCs: Vermont’s BET is a $250 minimum for entities filing Form BI-471/BI-476; calendar filers typically pay by March 15. This is separate from the $45 report.

Registered Agent Renewal

You can serve as your own agent if you meet Vermont’s requirements (a Vermont street address and availability during business hours). Many owners still hire a best registered agent in Vermont service to keep personal information off the public record and to ensure delivery of legal mail. Expect $99–$300/year from reputable providers, with popular price points at $99–$149 (Harbor Compliance) and $125 (Northwest). Statute requires maintaining an agent with a Vermont street address.

License and Permit Renewals

Vermont has no general statewide business license. Licensing is industry-specific (often through the Office of Professional Regulation) and local. Cities like Burlington run their own licensing programs (e.g., peddler/catering/other local licenses). Renewals and fees vary by city and activity, so plan for modest annual or multi-year renewal costs if your industry requires it.

If you sell taxable goods/services, you’ll also maintain your state sales tax account via the Department of Taxes (registration and filing cadence depend on your volume). The SBA has a concise checklist to verify which federal/state/local permits apply.

Recurring Banking, Bookkeeping, and Tools

Beyond state filings, build a lightweight stack so your business runs smoothly. Most modern business checking options charge $0 monthly fees; common bookkeeping tools and payroll carry predictable monthly pricing. Use these ballpark ranges to budget.

• Banking: many online business accounts advertise no monthly fee and no minimums (e.g., Mercury).
• Bookkeeping: QuickBooks Online plans commonly list around $38/$75/$115/$275 per month (Simple Start/Essentials/Plus/Advanced) before promos; Xero lists U.S. plans commonly around $25/$55/$90 (“Early/Growing/Established”) before promos.
• Payroll: Gusto’s transparent baseline is widely cited at $40 base + $6/employee per month; higher tiers cost more.

Quick annual cost snapshot:

Optional Vermont LLC Costs

Most Vermont LLCs spend a little beyond state filing fees to stay organized and look professional. Typical add-ons include a registered agent service, a written LLC operating agreement, your federal employer identification number, any industry business licenses, plus a domain/website and basic books. None of these change your state filing fee, but they do make running a business in Vermont cleaner and safer.

Still deciding on structure? Start here: do you need an LLC to start a business?

Registered Agent Service

Vermont law requires every LLC to list an agent with a physical address in Vermont who’s available during business hours to receive legal notices. You absolutely can be your own Vermont registered agent if you live in-state and are reliably available; otherwise, hire a provider. The statute spells out the requirement and who may serve.

If you prefer privacy and consistent coverage, commercial registered agent service runs about $99–$300/year. Common published rates include $125/year (Northwest) and $99 for the first year renewing around $149 (Harbor Compliance).

When to DIY vs. hire (quick guide):
Choose yourself if you’re in Vermont daily and comfortable listing your address publicly. Choose a service if you want privacy (no home address on record), you travel, or you’re forming from out of state. If you prefer a vendor, review our comparison of online LLC formation services.

Operating Agreement (DIY vs Attorney)

Vermont recognizes an operating agreement as the internal contract that governs owners, managers, and company rules, but you don’t file it with the state. Banks and landlords often ask for it, so draft one even for a single member LLC. The statute (§ 4003) confirms its role; keep it with your records.

Cost options are flexible. DIY templates are low- or no-cost, and several reputable guides confirm it’s an internal document you keep (not a state filing). If you want a lawyer-drafted agreement, most bill hourly; recent Vermont data shows typical attorney rates ~$166–$350/hour (state average near $279), so a lean agreement that takes 1–3 hours lands roughly $200–$1,000+ depending on complexity. See typical attorney fees to form an LLC for context.

EIN Cost

Your EIN (the IRS calls it an Employer Identification Number) is free when you apply directly with the internal revenue service. The IRS also requires that a human “responsible party” (usually an owner/manager) apply, not a separate company, so skip paid upsells and get it in minutes online.

• Cost: $0 through IRS.gov. Beware of third-party “filing fee” sites.
• Who applies: one responsible party for the LLC.
• When: right after formation and before opening a business bank account or hiring employees.

Forming from abroad? Here’s how to open an LLC in the USA as a nonresident.

Industry Licenses and Permits

Vermont has no statewide general business license. Instead, licensing is industry-specific (often via the Vermont department, Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation) and local. Restaurants, caterers, and lodging businesses work with the Department of Health for food/lodging licenses; alcohol service runs through the Department of Liquor & Lottery (with city sign-offs like Burlington). Expect renewals to follow agency schedules rather than one uniform date.

Examples you might need (check yours):

• Professional/occupational license lookups and renewals (OPR directory).
• Retail food service, caterers, food trucks: apply/renew with the Department of Health.
• Local permits (e.g., Burlington peddler licensing).
• State tax accounts (sales/meals & rooms) through the department of taxes (myVTax portal).

Domain, Website, and Bookkeeping Setup

A simple online presence and clean books go a long way. Budget modestly here: a domain, a site plan, and cloud accounting (with payroll if needed).

• Domain:
  Most .coms land around $10–$20/year; Cloudflare Registrar sells at cost (registry price + ICANN ~$0.18), with no markup.
• Website builders:
  Squarespace plans typically $16–$99/mo (billed annually); Wix ranges about $17–$159/mo depending on features.
• Bookkeeping:
  QuickBooks Online lists $38/$75/$115/$275 per month; Xero lists $25/$55/$90 before promos.
• Payroll (optional):
  Gusto’s current entry tier is $49 base + $6 per person/month (higher tiers cost more).

Optional cost snapshot (non-state fees):

Other Vermont LLC Filing Fees (Changes & Copies)

Once your LLC in Vermont is active, most follow-up filings are simple and inexpensive. Vermont law sets flat fees for amendments, agent/office changes, reinstatement after missed reports, and certified records that banks and contracting officers often request.

Amendments (Name, Members/Managers, Address)

Use an amendment when you need to change information that actually lives in your articles of organization (for example, a company name change). Vermont’s fee is $35 for an amendment, this covers amendments to the Articles or to a foreign LLC’s certificate of authority. The amendment mechanism and when it’s required are spelled out in Vermont law (§ 4024), and the fee is in § 4012(a)(3). If you previously wrote member/manager details into your Articles (optional under § 4023(b)), amend to update them; if those details only live in your operating agreement, update that internal document and reflect any public-facing changes in your next annual report. Address changes for the designated office are handled in the next subsection via a separate “statement of change.”

Change of Registered Agent or Office

If you change your registered agent or the LLC’s designated office, file a statement of change with the Vermont secretary of state. The fee is $35 (with a per-filer cap of $1,000 per calendar year). The process is described in § 4008; the fee and annual cap are in § 4012(a)(9). If an agent resigns, that resignation filing carries no fee. Using a registered agent service isn’t required, but you must keep a Vermont street address on record.

Reinstatement after Administrative Dissolution

Missed your annual report window? Vermont calls the status “involuntary termination.” To come back into good standing, you must file each missed annual report and pay (1) the annual report fee ($45 for domestic LLCs) and (2) a reinstatement fee of $35 for each year missed. The requirement to pay the annual report fee and a reinstatement fee per missed year appears in § 4034(a)(3); the amounts are listed in § 4012(a)(15) and § 4012(a)(17).

Certified Records for Banks and Bids

Lenders, procurement officers, and counterparties often ask for a certificate of good standing (Vermont labels this a “certificate of existence”) or certified copies of filings. Vermont charges $35 for a certificate of existence/authorization and $25 to certify a copy of any filed document. The authority is § 4028 (what the certificate proves) and § 4012(a)(13) and § 4012(b)(2) (the fees). Order these only when requested to keep your cost down.

Changes & copies, quick reference:

Vermont LLC Penalties & Late Fees

If you slip on compliance, Vermont’s penalties kick in fast and can interrupt day-to-day business in Vermont. Here’s exactly what to expect, plus how to fix issues before they snowball.

Missed Annual Report Penalties and tatus Impact

When a Vermont LLC misses its annual report (due within three months after your fiscal year ends), the state can terminate the entity (domestic) or terminate a foreign company’s certificate of authority. Reinstatement requires filing each missing annual report, paying the annual report fee for each missed year ($45 domestic / $170 foreign), and a $35 reinstatement fee per missed year. Your status then relates back as if the lapse never happened once you’re reinstated.

Vermont’s fee statute confirms the current amounts: domestic annual report $45, foreign annual report $170, reinstatement $35, and $25 to certify copies. These are set in Vermont law and were last updated in 2023. Many compliance trackers also note a $25 late penalty commonly applied when you file the report after the deadline.

Practically, a late or terminated company can’t obtain a certificate of good standing, which can derail loans, contracts, or bids until you file an annual report and cure the delinquency with the Vermont secretary of state.

Failure to Maintain a Registered Agent

Vermont requires every LLC to continuously maintain an agent and physical address for service of process. If a domestic LLC fails to maintain an agent, the Vermont secretary of state becomes your statutory agent for service, meaning lawsuits and notices can still be delivered and proceed without your direct receipt if you’re not monitoring mail. For foreign LLCs, failing to maintain an agent (or update the agent/office) is explicit grounds for revocation of the certificate of authority after notice.

Statutes to know: required agent/office (§ 4007), service via the state if you don’t maintain one (§ 4010), and revocation grounds for foreign companies (including failure to maintain an agent or file updates) under § 4117 (with at least 60 days’ notice before revocation becomes effective).

Rejected Filings and Re-file Costs

If a submission doesn’t meet filing requirements, the Secretary won’t “file” it; you’ll be asked to correct and resubmit within 20 days or it will not be filed. There’s no separate “rejection fee,” because fees are tied to accepted filings. If an error is discovered after a document is filed (for example, a name misspelling), you can fix it with Articles of Correction; that filing is a separate filing fee (currently $35 for LLCs).

Portal and Payment Processing Fees

When you pay state fees online, the portal may pass through a card-processing surcharge from the payment processor. Vermont allows credit-card surcharges (debit surcharges remain prohibited by card networks), but they must follow network rules . For example, Visa caps surcharges at the lower of your actual merchant discount rate or 3%, while Mastercard generally caps at 4%. Paying by e-check (ACH) typically avoids these card surcharges. Check the online business service center checkout screen for any disclosed “convenience” or “processing” charge before you pay.

Quick reference table:

The table below summarizes the most common penalty scenarios so you can spot issues early and keep your business in good standing.

Vermont LLC Cost Examples

Numbers get real when you see them in context. Below are three straightforward scenarios using the current Vermont fees you’ve already seen: $155 to file articles of organization, $45 for the annual report, $0 for an IRS EIN, and optional items like a registered agent service, a llc operating agreement, DBA, and basic tools. Totals show first 12 months (formation + early recurring) and year 2+ (ongoing).

Scenario 1: DIY, No Registered Agent Service

If you want the leanest setup, file yourself, use your own Vermont physical address, and keep tools to a minimum. Here’s the exact spend for the first year and beyond.

Best for owners comfortable listing their address publicly and being available during business hours.

Scenario 2: DIY + Registered Agent Service

Prefer privacy and guaranteed mail handling? You still file yourself, but you hire a registered agent service so your home address stays off the record.

This is the popular “set-and-forget” setup for single-member and small multi-member LLCs.

Scenario 3: Formation Service + Registered Agent + Add-ons

Want a turnkey start? Pay a formation company, keep an outside agent, and add a basic website and books. Choose the lean bundle or a fuller, attorney-assisted setup.

 “Lean pro” (templates + essentials):

“Full-feature pro” (attorney + extras):

Both versions assume you’ll get your EIN yourself (free). Order certified copies or a certificate of good standing only when requested.

For quick scanning, here’s a compact comparison table. It’s practical, reduces scrolling, and helps readers spot their likely budget in seconds.

FAQs – Vermont LLC Costs

Looking for quick, trustworthy answers about llc in vermont costs? This FAQ hits the top queries: startup filing fee, annual report timing, registered agent rules, foreign registration, penalties, and EIN – so you can budget accurately and stay compliant.