New Jersey LLC Costs
Recommended LLC Services
Most small businesses and entrepreneurs benefit when they form a limited liability company in New Jersey. An LLC is a business structure that provides business owners with liability protection, special tax breaks, incentives, and an optimal management structure. It is a common misconception that forming an LLC is difficult and too costly. However, it is actually a straightforward process that is worth the investment for many businesses.
Jump to
Costs to start an LLC in New Jersey
1
LLC Certificate of Formation ($125)
- You must file an LLC’s certificate of formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
- The LLC cost to file the New Jersey certificate of formation is $125.
- New Jersey does not offer any expected LLC services.
2
New Jersey annual report fee ($75)
- You must file your LLC’s annual report with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
- You will file the annual report online using the State of New Jersey website.
- The annual fee is $75.
- The due date for the annual report fee is the end of your LLC’s anniversary month.
- You could face involuntary dissolution if you fail to submit your annual report for two years.
3
New Jersey registered agent fee (varies between $50 to $300)
- In New Jersey, you must appoint a registered agent when forming an LLC in the state.
- When you appoint a registered agent, you alert the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services that someone is physically available during business hours to accept services such as tax notices and subpoenas.
- In New Jersey, you can appoint anyone as a registered agent as long as they meet the state requirements, which include yourself.
- The price for appointing a registered agent in New Jersey will depend on the commercial service you select, the needs of your LLC, and state filing fees.
4
Fees to form a foreign LLC in New Jersey ($125)
- If you have an existing LLC in another state, you must register your LLC as a foreign LLC if you wish to expand into New Jersey.
- Using the New Jersey Online Business Formation portal, you will register a foreign LLC online.
- The cost to register a foreign LLC in New Jersey is $125.
5
LLC name reservation fee ($50)
- In New Jersey, you do not have to reserve your LLC name before formation.
- But, when you reserve an LLC name, you are ensuring that no one else can register the same before you begin LLC formation.
- A New Jersey LLC name must be unique.
- You can reserve an LLC name in New Jersey for 120 days before formation.
- You will use the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services business portal to reserve an LLC name using Form UNRR-1.
- The LLC filing fee to reserve a New Jersey LLC name is $50.
6
DBA filing fees in New Jersey ($50)
- The business-related acronym DBA stands for ‘doing business as.’ A DBA, or an assumed name, is any name an individual or business uses to operate that is not the legal name.
- In New Jersey, an LLC must register a DBA for any business that operates using any name other than the LLC’s legal name.
- A DBA in New Jersey must be unique and meet the state’s fictitious name requirements.
- You can register your DBA name online using the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services portal.
- Or, you can complete the Registration of Alternate Name form (Form C-150G) and submit it by mail.
- The cost to register a New Jersey DBA name is $50.
7
Cost of certified document copies ($50)
- You will order your certified LLC documents online using the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website.
- The cost for certified LLC documents in New Jersey is $50 plus $0.10 for every additional page.
8
New Jersey Certificate of Good Standing ($50)
- Banks and money lenders will require you to present a copy of the New Jersey Certificate of Good Standing before allowing you to open a business bank account.
- You can order your LLC’s Certificate of Good Standing online using the New Jersey Business Records Service portal.
- Or, you can read the instructions and submit a request by mail to the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
- The filing cost for a Certificate of Good Standing in New Jersey is $20.
Steps to start an LLC in New Jersey
1
Choose a business name
When deciding on an LLC name in New Jersey, you will want to consider a few things.
- An LLC name in New Jersey must be unique and available for use.
- The New Jersey LLC name must meet all of the state naming requirements.
- You keep branding simple by checking for web domain availability.
You will use the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to conduct a name search.
LLC name reservation fee
New Jersey does not require the reservation of an LLC name before formation.
You can reserve a New Jersey LLC name by submitting the form online. The reservation is good for up to 120 days before formation.
The cost to reserve a company name in New Jersey is $50. An LLC name is good for up to 120 days. New Jersey does not require you to reserve an LLC name.
2
Appoint a New Jersey registered agent
You must appoint a registered agent in New Jersey when forming an LLC in the state.
The price for a New Jersey registered agent or service varies between $50 and $100 a year. The cost depends on the state and your LLC needs.
A registered agent in New Jersey is an individual or business entity that receives tax forms, legal documents, subpoenas, civil notices, service of process, and other official government correspondence on behalf of a sole proprietorship, corporation, or LLC.
The registered agent you choose must be a New Jersey resident or a registered agent service authorized to conduct business in the state.
ZenBusiness
- Starter Plan – $39 a year plus State Fees
- Pro Plan – $149 a year plus State Fees
- Premium Plan – $249 a year plus State Fees
ZenBusiness has a stand-alone registered agent service for New Jersey LLCs. The price is $99 per year.
Northwest
- Total Out The Door New Jersey LLC Formation Service Package – $48 a month and includes:
- New Jersey State Fee
- Filing Service Fee
- Registered Agent
- Tax ID
- Annual Plan – $225 plus State Fees a year
LegalZoom
- Economy – $79 plus $153 New Jersey filing fees
- Standard – $329 plus $153 state filing fees
- Express Gold – $349 plus $255 state filing fees
3
File New Jersey Certificate of Formation
You will file the certificate of formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue.
You can file the Certificate of Formation online using the State of New Jersey website.
Or, you can complete the Certificate of Formation form and submit it by mail or in-person to the New Jersey Department of Revenue.
The LLC cost to file your New Jersey LLC’s Certificate of Organization is $125.
New Jersey does not offer any expedited LLC services.
Mailing address:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
PO Box 308
Trenton, NJ 08646
Office address:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
33 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
The New Jersey Certificate of Formation form will ask for specific information.
- LLC name
- Registered agent information
The fee in New Jersey for filing your LLC Certificate of Formation is $125.
4
Get a New Jersey LLC EIN
An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, can also be referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax ID Number (FTIN).
The IRS issues an EIN to a New Jersey LLC free of charge. The 9-digit number acts like a Social Security Number for companies for income tax purposes.
In New Jersey, you must apply for an EIN if you are converting a sole proprietorship into an LLC.
Applying for an EIN is a simple process online through the IRS website.
Business banking for a New Jersey LLC
Financial experts recommend opening a business bank account separate from your personal one. It protects personal assets and future credit scores.
In New Jersey, banks will require you to submit a copy of your articles of organization, operating agreement, and EIN before allowing you to do business banking.
Business banking accounts are generally free, and do not have additional charges or fees.
Business attorney fees in New Jersey
Business attorneys keep LLC formation in New Jersey straightforward. Another benefit of retaining a lawyer is having someone available to handle business-related issues.
New Jersey business attorneys typically offer free consultations for first-time clients.
Professional services such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer offer LLC formation packages that include comprehensive legal services.
On average, a business lawyer in New Jersey will cost $300 per hour.
LLC taxes in New Jersey
- In New Jersey, LLCs are considered pass-through entities. An LLC owner files personal tax returns rather than their LLC’s tax returns.
- You must register for a seller’s permit with the State of New Jersey if you sell physical products in the state.
- The New Jersey state tax rate is 6.625%, and the max local and county rate is 3.313%.
- If you hire employees, you must register for Unemployment Insurance Tax through the New Jersey Department of Revenue.
- You must also register for the Employee Withholding Tax with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
- When you hire a tax expert, you are reducing the chance of missed deadlines, penalties, and possible dissolution in New Jersey.
Business licenses and permits in New Jersey
The LLC cost for New Jersey business licenses and permits will vary depending on where the company is located and the type of business.
You will use the NJ.gov Licencing and Certification Guide to locate the necessary licenses and permits for your LLC.
A business licence in New Jersey varies between $50 to $200. The total cost of permits and licences will depend on where your LLC is, and the type of LLC.
Local government agencies in New Jersey will have different processes and rules for licenses. You will want to contact the office to inquire about the process, price, and office hours.
Notary public
You may find that some New Jersey LLC formation documents will require a notarization from a notary public.
If you cannot locate one, most government agencies have one in the office.
According to New Jersey law, a notary public can only charge a max of $15 per act.
Employer obligations in New Jersey
- If you hire employees in New Jersey, you have specific obligations.
- You will verify that your company’s employees are eligible to work legally in the United States using Form I-9 from the USCIS Website.
- You must enroll in worker’s compensation insurance.
- You will report all new hires using the New Jersey Child Support Employer Services Portal.
- You can find a complete list of New Jersey employer obligations.
Benefits of a New Jersey LLC
- In New Jersey, you simplify business banking when you form an LLC. Banks will require that you open separate personal and business banking accounts. It protects future liability.
- LLCs in New Jersey have different compliance requirements than other business structures. Incorporations must answer to shareholders and stock owners when they make business decisions.
- LLCs are pass-through entities in New Jersey. Owners file personal tax returns rather than the LLC’s tax returns.
- Forming an LLC decreases the chances of being double-taxed. C-corporations are double-taxed while LLCs are not.
- New Jersey has state-specific incentives that are available to LLCs. Premier Lender Program and Garden State Growth Zone Business Lease Incentive are available to LLCs in the state.
FAQs
How long does it take to register an LLC in New Jersey?
When you register a New Jersey LLC online, the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services processes the formation immediately. It takes the state 5 to 6 weeks to process LLC registration.
New Jersey does not offer any expedited LLC services.
How do I dissolve my New Jersey LLC?
You must dissolve a New Jersey to avoid ongoing costs. You will file your articles of dissolution by mail.
The cost for LLC cancellation in New Jersey is $128 by credit card and $126 by check.
Does New Jersey have a publishing requirement?
Unlike Nebraska, New Jersey does not have any publishing requirements.
Unlike Arizona and Nebraska, New Jersey does not have any publishing requirements outside of submitting the LLC’s annual report fee.
Do I need a business operating agreement for my LLC in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not mandate you to submit an operating agreement to the state. But, it is always a good idea to have one on file to reduce the chances of future internal misunderstandings.
Does New Jersey have a franchise tax?
The state of New Jersey does not impose an annual franchise tax or privilege tax on LLCs.
Related posts
How to Start a Sole Proprietorship in New Jersey
How to Find the Best Registered Agent in New Jersey
How to Set Up a DBA in New Jersey
New Jersey Business Entity Search (Step-by-Step Guide)
Best Cities to Start a Business in New Jersey
Best LLC Services (2024)
Northwest Registered Agent Review (2024)
Best Registered Agent Services for Your New LLC
Find out how much it costs to start an LLC in your state
Click below to get started.
