How to Start an LLC in New Hampshire
Form your New Hampshire LLC online with transparent pricing, registered agent service and real human support. Incofile prepares and files your Certificate of Formation for you.
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New Hampshire LLC filing fee & timeline
To form an LLC in New Hampshire you file your Certificate of Formation with the state and pay the state filing fee of $100 (plus a $2 online handling fee). Incofile adds a flat, one-time service fee on top — no monthly charges — and your total is always shown before you pay.
Most New Hampshire LLC filings are prepared and submitted within one business day. State approval time depends on New Hampshire's current processing queue, typically ranging from a few business days to a few weeks, with expedited options available in many states.
Why form an LLC in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no personal income tax and no sales tax, which makes it attractive for owners who live there. The catch is that larger businesses pay the Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax at the company level, and the $100 annual report is one of the higher recurring fees.
New Hampshire LLC at a glance
| State filing fee | $100 ($102 online including the handling fee) |
|---|---|
| Document filed | Certificate of Formation (Form LLC-1) |
| Standard approval time | Typically up to 10 business days online · about 30 days by mail |
| Expedited option | +$25, in person at the Department of State |
| Annual report | $100 per year, due 1 April |
| Late penalty | $50 late fee; administrative dissolution after two consecutive missed reports |
| Name reservation (optional) | $15, holds the name for 120 days |
| State income tax | None on wages or pass-through profit; Business Profits Tax 7.5% and Business Enterprise Tax 0.55% apply above thresholds |
| Sales tax | None |
| Registered agent | Required; must have a New Hampshire street address |
State figures checked against the New Hampshire Department of State, Corporation Division, September 2026. State fees are set by New Hampshire and can change; the exact total is shown before you pay.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Hampshire?
| Cost | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation (state filing fee) | $100 ($102 online with handling fee) | Required, one time |
| Registered agent | $0 if you act as your own agent at a New Hampshire street address; otherwise a registered agent service | Required, ongoing |
| Annual report | $100 per year ($102 online) | Required every year by 1 April |
| Late annual report penalty | $50 | Only if filed after 1 April |
| EIN from the IRS | Free from the IRS | Needed for a bank account and taxes |
| Name reservation | $15 ($17 online) for 120 days | Optional |
| Expedited processing | +$25 (in person only) | Optional |
These are state, IRS and other outside costs — not Incofile fees. Your Incofile package price is shown separately at checkout, and your full total is always shown before you pay. Estimate every cost for your state with our LLC cost calculator.
How to form an LLC in New Hampshire — 4 steps
Choose your package
Pick the Incofile package that fits your goals. Your New Hampshire state filing fee is shown before you pay.
Tell us about your LLC
Complete our short form with your company name, address and ownership details — about ten minutes.
We check & file with New Hampshire
We confirm your name is available and file your Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire state office.
Get your documents
Your approved New Hampshire LLC documents land in your dashboard, with reminders for your annual report and other deadlines.
How to start an LLC in New Hampshire: step by step
Here is exactly what forming a New Hampshire LLC involves, whether you file it yourself or let Incofile handle the paperwork.
Choose and check your LLC name
Pick a name that includes “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” and is distinguishable from existing New Hampshire businesses. Check it with our free business name search.
Appoint a registered agent
Name a registered agent with a physical street address in New Hampshire (not a PO box) who can accept legal papers during business hours. Out-of-state agent addresses are rejected. If you live outside New Hampshire or want privacy, Incofile can act as your agent.
File the Certificate of Formation
File Form LLC-1 online through NH QuickStart and pay $100 plus a $2 handling fee ($100 by mail). Online filings typically take up to 10 business days; expedited service ($25) is available in person only.
Create an operating agreement
New Hampshire does not require you to file an operating agreement, but it records who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. Banks commonly ask for it, and it helps protect your limited liability.
Get an EIN
Apply to the IRS for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file federal taxes. The IRS issues it free; non-US owners without an SSN apply by phone, fax or mail, and our Gold package handles it for you.
Register for taxes and local licences
New Hampshire has no sales tax. Register with the Department of Revenue Administration if your gross business income or receipts pass the Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax thresholds, and check your town for local licences.
File your annual report each year
File the $100 annual report through QuickStart by 1 April every year. Filing late adds $50, and two consecutive missed reports lead to administrative dissolution.
What you need to form an LLC in New Hampshire
- A business name that is available and meets New Hampshire's naming rules (it must include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”).
- A registered agent with a physical address in New Hampshire — Incofile can be your agent.
- Certificate of Formation filed with the New Hampshire state office — we prepare and submit these for you.
- An operating agreement and EIN to open a business bank account (included in our Gold and Platinum packages).
- Ongoing compliance — New Hampshire's reports, taxes and registered agent rules (see below). We track the deadlines and remind you.
Operating agreement
An operating agreement sets out who owns the LLC, how profits are split, how decisions are made and what happens if a member leaves. New Hampshire does not ask you to file it with the state, but banks usually want to see it, and without one the state's default rules apply. Incofile includes a customised operating agreement in the Gold and Platinum packages.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Your EIN is the federal tax ID for your LLC. You need it to open a business bank account, hire staff and file taxes. The IRS issues it free — online in minutes if you have a Social Security number, or by fax or mail (one to eight weeks) if you don't. Our Gold and Platinum packages include it, and it is also available as a separate service.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're unsure which structure is right, compare LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp.
New Hampshire LLC naming rules
The name must contain “Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC” or “L.L.C.” and must be distinguishable from every other entity on the New Hampshire register. Check availability with our free business name search.
Keeping your New Hampshire LLC compliant
Annual report
Every New Hampshire LLC files a $100 annual report by 1 April each year through QuickStart. A late report costs $50 more, and an LLC that misses two consecutive years is administratively dissolved (reinstatement $135).
Business taxes
New Hampshire has no personal income tax on business profit and no sales tax. Instead, businesses above the thresholds pay the Business Profits Tax (7.5%; filing required once gross business income exceeds about $109,000) and the Business Enterprise Tax (0.55% of wages, interest and dividends paid; filing required above about $298,000 of gross receipts or enterprise value). Many small LLCs fall under the thresholds.
Registered agent
Your agent must have a New Hampshire street address; the state rejects filings that list an out-of-state agent address. Incofile can act as your New Hampshire registered agent.
Licences
There is no general state business licence. Register a trade name if you operate under a different name, and check your town for local permits.
Incofile clients get every New Hampshire deadline tracked in their dashboard with email reminders — see registered agent service.
Official New Hampshire resources
New Hampshire LLC — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Hampshire?
Incofile charges a flat, one-time formation fee (Silver, Gold or Platinum) plus the New Hampshire state filing fee of $100. There are no monthly charges, and the total is shown before you pay.
How long does it take to form an LLC in New Hampshire?
We prepare and submit your New Hampshire Certificate of Formation within one business day. State approval times vary from a few business days to a few weeks; expedited filing is available in many states.
Do I need a registered agent in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and state mail. Incofile can serve as your New Hampshire registered agent so you stay compliant and keep your address private.
Can I start an LLC in New Hampshire if I live in another state or country?
Yes. You do not need to live in New Hampshire to form an LLC there. Incofile can act as your registered agent and provide a business address, so you can form and run your New Hampshire LLC from anywhere.
Does a New Hampshire LLC pay state income tax?
Owners pay no personal income tax on their share of profit. The LLC itself may owe the Business Profits Tax (7.5%) and Business Enterprise Tax (0.55%) once it passes the filing thresholds, which many small businesses do not reach.
How much does a New Hampshire LLC cost per year?
The state annual report is $100 ($102 online), due 1 April. Add a registered agent service if you use one.
How fast is a New Hampshire LLC approved?
Online filings typically take up to 10 business days. Expedited service costs $25 and is only available in person.
Does New Hampshire have sales tax?
No. New Hampshire has no general sales tax.
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