Alabama LLC or Nevada LLC?
If you run your business in Alabama, here's what each route costs in state fees.
The short answer
For a business that operates in Alabama, forming in Nevada costs about $1,775 more over five years in state fees alone — before paying for a registered agent in Nevada.
Form in Alabama
Alabama
Certificate of Formation (Domestic LLC)$200
No Secretary of State annual report; annual Business Privilege Tax return (Form PPT) filed with Alabama Department of Revenue only if tax due exceeds $100$0
Business Privilege Tax$0
Year one$200
Each year after$0
5-year total$200
Form in Nevada, register in Alabama
Nevada
Articles of Organization (plus required $150 Initial List and $200 State Business License fee = $425 total)$75
Annual List of Managers or Members (with State Business License renewal)$150 / yr
State Business License fee$200 / yr
Commerce Tax$0
Alabama (foreign registration)
Application for Registration (Foreign LLC)$150
No Secretary of State annual report; annual Business Privilege Tax return (Form PPT) filed with Alabama Department of Revenue only if tax due exceeds $100$0
Business Privilege Tax$0
Year one$575
Each year after$350
5-year total$1,975
What the fees don't show
- Forming in Nevada while operating in Alabama means two sets of reports and two sets of deadlines, adding about $350 a year.
- You need a registered agent with a street address in Nevada. If you don't have one there, that's a paid service every year.
- Out-of-state formation makes the most sense when you raise outside investment, operate in many states, or have a specific legal reason — not as a default.
State fees only, from each state's official fee pages. Not legal or tax advice.