How to Start an LLC in New York
Form your New York LLC online with transparent pricing, registered agent service and real human support. Incofile prepares and files your Articles of Organization for you.
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New York LLC filing fee & timeline
To form an LLC in New York you file your Articles of Organization with the state and pay the state filing fee of $200. Incofile adds a flat, one-time service fee on top — no monthly charges — and your total is always shown before you pay.
Most New York LLC filings are prepared and submitted within one business day. State approval time depends on New York'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 York
New York is the only state that makes every new LLC publish a notice in two newspapers. The $200 filing is quick online, but the publication step can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars upstate to well over $1,000 in New York City — so budget for it before you choose where to register.
New York LLC at a glance
| State filing fee | $200 |
|---|---|
| Document filed | Articles of Organization (Form DOS-1336-f) |
| Standard approval time | Online filings are often acknowledged within minutes to a few business days |
| Expedited options | 24-hour $25 · same day $75 · 2-hour $150 (state fees) |
| Publication requirement | Publish in 2 newspapers, weekly for 6 weeks, within 120 days of formation |
| Certificate of Publication | $50 filed with the state after publication |
| Biennial statement | $9 every 2 years, in your formation month |
| Annual filing fee (tax) | $25 to $4,500 a year to the NY tax department, based on New York-source income |
| Name reservation (optional) | $20, holds the name for 60 days |
| Registered agent | Optional — the Secretary of State acts as agent for every LLC; a registered agent can also be named |
State figures checked against the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, September 2026. State fees are set by New York and can change; the exact total is shown before you pay.
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New York?
| Cost | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $200 | Required, one time |
| Newspaper publication | Varies by county — a few hundred dollars upstate to $1,000+ in Manhattan | Required within 120 days |
| Certificate of Publication | $50 | Required after publication |
| Biennial statement | $9 every 2 years | Required |
| Annual filing fee (tax) | $25 to $4,500 based on New York-source income | Annual, if you have NY-source income |
| EIN from the IRS | Free from the IRS | Needed for a bank account and taxes |
| Expedited processing | 24-hour $25 · same day $75 · 2-hour $150 | Optional |
| Name reservation | $20 for 60 days | 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 York — 4 steps
Choose your package
Pick the Incofile package that fits your goals. Your New York 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 York
We confirm your name is available and file your Articles of Organization with the New York state office.
Get your documents
Your approved New York LLC documents land in your dashboard, with reminders for your annual report and other deadlines.
How to start an LLC in New York: step by step
Here is exactly what forming a New York 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 York businesses. Check it with our free business name search. Some words, such as “bank” or “engineering”, need approval. You can reserve a name for 60 days for $20.
Choose your county and address for legal papers
The New York Secretary of State acts as agent for every LLC and forwards legal papers to the address you list. Your county matters, because it sets which newspapers you must publish in and how much publication costs. You can also name a registered agent such as Incofile.
File the Articles of Organization
File Form DOS-1336-f with the Department of State, online or by mail, and pay $200. Online filings are often acknowledged quickly; expedited service is $25–$150.
Complete newspaper publication
Within 120 days, publish a notice in two newspapers chosen by the county clerk — once a week for six weeks — then file the Certificate of Publication ($50). Skipping it suspends your LLC’s authority to do business in New York.
Create an operating agreement
New York does not ask you to file an operating agreement with the state, but it records who owns the LLC, how profits are shared and how decisions are made. Banks commonly ask for it.
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.
Stay compliant
File the $9 biennial statement every two years in your formation month, and the annual filing fee with the tax department if you have New York-source income. Get a Certificate of Authority before selling taxable goods or services.
New York LLC filing requirements: what you need
- A business name that is available and meets New York's naming rules (it must include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”).
- An address for legal papers — New York's Secretary of State acts as every LLC's agent and forwards papers to the address you give; you can also name a registered agent such as Incofile.
- Articles of Organization filed with the New York 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 York'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 York 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 York LLC naming rules
The name must include "Limited Liability Company", "LLC" or "L.L.C." and be distinguishable from existing New York entities. Words such as "bank", "insurance", "board of trade" or "engineering" need approval or licensing. Check availability with our free business name search.
Keeping your New York LLC compliant
Publication
Within 120 days of formation you must publish a notice about your LLC in two newspapers — one daily, one weekly — chosen by the county clerk in the county of your office, once a week for six weeks. Then you file a Certificate of Publication ($50). If you skip it, your LLC's authority to do business in New York is suspended until you comply. Cost depends heavily on the county.
Biennial statement
Every two years, in the month your LLC was formed, you file a $9 biennial statement updating your address with the Department of State.
Taxes
LLCs with New York-source income file an annual filing fee (Form IT-204-LL) of $25 to $4,500 depending on income. New York has state and, in New York City, city income taxes; profits usually pass through to the owners.
Licences
Many industries need a state or city licence, and anyone selling taxable goods or services needs a Certificate of Authority from the Department of Taxation and Finance before the first sale.
Incofile clients get every New York deadline tracked in their dashboard with email reminders — see registered agent service.
Official New York resources
New York LLC — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New York?
Incofile charges a flat, one-time formation fee (Silver, Gold or Platinum) plus the New York state filing fee of $200. There are no monthly charges, and the total is shown before you pay.
How long does it take to form an LLC in New York?
We prepare and submit your New York Articles of Organization 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 York?
No. The New York Secretary of State automatically acts as the agent for service of process and forwards legal papers to the address you list. You may still appoint a registered agent to receive them directly.
Can I start an LLC in New York if I live in another state or country?
Yes. You do not need to live in New York 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 York LLC from anywhere.
How much does New York publication cost?
It depends on the county where your LLC's office is. Rural counties can cost a few hundred dollars; New York County (Manhattan) often costs $1,000 or more. Some founders list an office address in a lower-cost county they genuinely use.
What happens if I don't publish?
Your LLC still exists, but its authority to do business in New York is suspended until you complete publication and file the Certificate of Publication. That can affect contracts and lawsuits.
How fast is a New York LLC approved?
Online filings are often acknowledged very quickly. New York also offers 24-hour ($25), same-day ($75) and 2-hour ($150) expedited service.
What is the total cost to start an LLC in New York?
The state charges $200 to file plus $50 for the Certificate of Publication. The biggest variable is newspaper publication, which ranges from a few hundred dollars upstate to $1,000 or more in Manhattan. Incofile’s package fee is shown separately before you pay.
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