Every business owner hopes their company will make money one day.
But for the cash to start piling up, you need to put in some dollars first.
That’s why many small business owners meticulously analyze the startup costs, funding options, and long-term profitability prospects.
Company incorporation is one of the first costs you’ll need to estimate.
Forming an LLC in New Jersey is relatively affordable in terms of state fees.
But the devil is in the details. There are many optional and add-on costs you can accumulate — from taxes and business licenses to LLC operating agreement creation and bank account fees.
This guide covers all the costs, taxes, and legal documents you need to know when registering your company in the Garden State.
So, how much does an LLC cost in NJ?
A limited liability company in an inexpensive business structure to form and maintain in New Jersey.
Depending on the business activity, you can start an LLC in New Jersey for just $125, while the annual cost of maintaining it is $75 ($78) in state fee.
Add-ons like reserving names, using a trade name, or hiring a commercial registered agent can add to your registration budget.
| New Jersey LLC fees | ||
Expense | Year 1 | Year 2+ |
Certificate of formation | $125 | $0 |
Annual renewal fee | $0 | $75 |
| Expediting fees | $25 – $1,000 | $0 |
Professional registered agent | $39 – $300 | $39 – $300 |
| Trade name registration | $50 | $50 every 5 years |
LLC name reservation | $50 | $0 |
| Certified documents | $25+ | $0 |
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Last updated: May 2023New Jersey LLC formation cost: $125
In New Jersey, new business registrations are handled by the NJ Department of the Treasury.
Unlike other states, you file company formation documents with the Secretary of State.
To register an LLC in NJ, you need to complete a Certificate of Formation and file it with the authorities. In other states, this document is called “Articles of Organization.” The most convenient way to do so is by using New Jersey's Online Business Formation portal. You can complete the form online and then pay a nonrefundable filing fee of $125 (for both domestic LLCs and foreign LLCs).
You’ll get instant online confirmation of your filing and a printable certificate if you file online. A filing notification will be mailed to your registered agent’s address within 3-10 business days after filing.
Once you’re done with your business registration application, you can request your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. All multi-member LLCs must get an EIN for federal tax purposes. Single-member LLCs without employees can use a social security number instead.
Alternatively, you can mail in your documents. But then processing times will be significantly longer. You can, however, expedite processing.
The state of New Jersey charges the following expedited service fees:
- Same day service for fax filings only: $75
- 2-hour service: $525
- 1-hour service: $1,025
Extra LLC costs to account for in NJ
Filing your Certificate of Formation is the first and most important step in starting your New Jersey LLC. But that’s not all.
You should also budget for some extras.
Registered agent costs: vary
Every New Jersey LLC must have a registered agent – an individual or company that will accept service of process of legal documents and other correspondence on the company’s behalf.
The registered agent notifies you of any official notices from the government if your business gets sued and keeps you updated on state filing deadlines.
An individual (you, another member/manager of the LLC, a family member, or a friend) can be a New Jersey registered agent provided they:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Have a street address (not P.O. Box) in New Jersey
- Are available during regular business hours
Alternatively, you can hire a professional service that’s allowed to operate in New Jersey and has a physical address (registered office) in the state. Some LLC formation services also double as registered agent services providers.
A professional registered agent service in NJ will cost you anywhere between $49 to $199 per year.
But in return, you can:
- Keep your personal address off of public records
- Receive any lawsuits at their registered office rather than your place of business
- Travel at any time you’d like without fear of missing an important document
Extra registered agent costs
New Jersey doesn’t charge a separate fee to appoint a registered agent initially. However, there are related state fees for the resignation of your LLC’s registered agent:
- $25 for any changes to registered agent details or resignation certificate
- +$10 to get an affidavit for each affected LLC
The turnaround time for the resignation process varies depending on the filing method you chose. Online filing is processed in real-time.
In contrast, mail-in filing takes 3-10 business days and faxed, and in-person filing takes a day or two.
Trade name registration: $50
Under New Jersey law, you’ll need to register a trade name for your LLC and pay a fee of $50 if you want to do business under an alternate name.
An alternate name or “Doing Business As” (DBA) name is an assumed name other than the legal name of your business entity that you wish to use for doing business in the state.
DBA registrations are valid for 5 years.
To check if your selected name is available, run a search at New Jersey’s Business Name Database.
New Jersey LLC name reservation: $50
If the legal business name you want is available, but you’re not ready to submit your formation documents right away, you can Apply for Reservation of Name to reserve it for up to 120 days.
The state fee is $50 for each name.
Certified document copies: costs vary
Once you’ve completed your LLC’s registration, the next step might be to get certified document copies.
These are true and correct copies of your business filings from the NJ Department of the Treasury.
You can use these document copies when:
- Securing a bank loan
- Applying for a certificate of authority
- Obtaining business licenses
The standard fee is $25 per document with a stamp, endorsement, or certificate.
You can order your copies online, by fax, mail, or in person.
Standard processing takes up to three weeks on average, plus additional time for mailing, but expedited services are available for as little as $25, which take up to a day to process.
Business permits and licenses: costs vary
New Jersey doesn’t impose a general business license on a state level. But if you operate in a regulated industry, you may need to get an occupational license.
Consult the Licensing and Certification Guide from the state government to determine which permits, licenses, and certifications you may need to operate your LLC.
Professional licenses are issued by different government bodies. But you can apply for many of them via the NJ Division of Consumers Affairs.
Costs vary too. Here are several examples:
- Dentists license: $125
- Home repair contractor license: $110
Sales tax license
If applicable, you must obtain a sales tax license with the New Jersey Division of Revenue.
After registering, you’ll file quarterly tax returns and submit quarterly sales tax payments using the state-issued tax ID.
The application is free and done online.
Does New Jersey have an annual LLC fee?
Yes. Every New Jersey LLC must file an annual report by the last day of the anniversary month of the company formation.
The state filing fee is $75 (+$3 processing charge if paid by credit card). If you fail to file your annual report on time, you will lose good standing with the state and run into operational issues.
What taxes do LLCs pay in New Jersey?
Depending on the nature of your business, your small business may have several state
tax responsibilities:
- Sales tax rate: if you sell taxable goods or services, generally, you’ll collect sales tax of 6.625% from your customers.
- State employment taxes: if you have employees in the state, you’ll register for Employee Withholding Tax and Unemployment Insurance Tax.
Good news on corporate income tax: LLCs reporting federal taxes as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or S-corporation pay none.
Learn how LLCs pay taxes from our dedicated guide.
