How much does it cost to start a business in New York?
Doing it yourself, expect about $500 in year one — that's the New York LLC filing fee and the unavoidable state charges. With a registered agent service and a paid operating agreement it's closer to $800. Here's every line item, and what you can skip. New York requires newspaper publication in two papers for 6 weeks after formation — this can cost $300–$1,500+ depending on county.
New York LLC filing fee — $200
The one required government charge to create the LLC — filing the Articles of Organization with New York. Processing is 1–2 business days online. File directly with the state; a "filing service" just adds a markup on top of this.
Registered agent — $0–$150/yr
$0 if you're your own agent (you need a physical New York street address and to be around during business hours). A service runs about $100–$150/year and keeps your home address off the public record.
EIN (federal tax ID) — $0
Free from the IRS in about 10 minutes online. Anyone charging you for an EIN is reselling a free government service.
Operating agreement — $0–$100
Free with a solid template (you keep it, you don't file it). A lawyer or a formation upsell charges $100+ for the same single-member document.
Newspaper publication (one-time) — ~$300 once
New York requires publication in two papers for 6 weeks. Cost depends heavily on county — roughly $300 upstate to $1,500+ in New York City.
Ongoing New York report — $9 / biennial
A biennial filing. Miss it and the state can administratively dissolve your LLC.
Local business license — $0–$150
Many cities and counties require a general business or occupational license (often $50–$150/year); some have none. This is separate from the state and depends on where you operate.
Business bank account — $0–$15/mo
Plenty of banks and credit unions offer free small-business checking. Keep business and personal money fully separate — it's what makes the LLC's liability shield hold up.
Get this as a personalized plan
FirstBearing turns this into a step-by-step roadmap for your exact business and city — with the right forms, the official links, and one next step every day. $99/month, cancel anytime.
Build my planFrequently asked
What's the cheapest way to start a business in New York?
Register as a sole proprietor (no state filing, $0) and get a free EIN. The trade-off is no liability protection — your personal assets are exposed. The cheapest way to get that protection is a DIY LLC: about $500 in year one, filing directly with the state and acting as your own registered agent.
How much is an LLC in New York?
The state charges $200 to file. After that, budget roughly $130/year ongoing — the New York report plus a registered agent if you keep one. An EIN and operating agreement can both be $0.
Do I have to pay LegalZoom or a filing service?
No. Every required step — the state filing, the EIN, the operating agreement — you can do yourself for the government fee alone. Filing services bundle a markup onto the same $$200 state fee. FirstBearing gives you the filled-in forms and the official links so you file direct.
What ongoing costs should I expect in New York?
About $130/year: New York's report fee, a registered agent renewal if you use a service (~$125), and any local business license. That's before taxes on what you actually earn.
Is there a fee to get an EIN in New York?
No. The EIN comes from the IRS, not the state, and it's free. Apply directly at IRS.gov — never pay a third-party site for one.
Official sources
- New York — form your LLC (see the current fee)
- New York — tax registration
- IRS — apply for an EIN (free)
Fees and timelines are commonly-cited figures last reviewed 2025-06 and can change — always confirm on the official site. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.