{"id":100607,"date":"2018-01-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-01T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/llcbuddy-static-607"},"modified":"2018-01-01T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-01-01T10:00:00","slug":"texas-llc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/texas-llc\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start an LLC in Texas (TX LLC 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<details class=\"chlog\">\n<summary><svg class=\"chlog-ico\" fill=\"none\" height=\"21\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"21\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"><\/circle><path d=\"M12 7.5V12l3 2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"chlog-lead\"><b>Page update history<\/b><span>Last updated Aug 22, 2026 \u00b7 published 2018<\/span><\/span><span class=\"chlog-count\">since 2018<\/span><svg class=\"chlog-chev\" fill=\"none\" height=\"18\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><\/summary>\n<div class=\"chlog-body\">\n<div class=\"chlog-item\">\n<div class=\"chlog-date\">Aug 22, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-sum\">Added details about Texas expedited filing options and associated costs.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-item\">\n<div class=\"chlog-date\">Aug 19, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-sum\">The effective date of the BOI report filing rule was updated to August 14, 2026.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-item\">\n<div class=\"chlog-date\">Aug 14, 2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-sum\">Updated the BOI\/FinCEN reporting guidance (reporting permanently ended) and refreshed the guide.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<details class=\"chlog-older\">\n<summary><svg class=\"cx\" fill=\"none\" height=\"15\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.2\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"15\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"lbl-more\">Show full history<\/span><span class=\"lbl-less\">Hide earlier history<\/span><\/summary>\n<div class=\"chlog-older-body\">\n<div class=\"chlog-gap\">We didn\u2019t keep a public change log during this period.<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-item is-pub\">\n<div class=\"chlog-date\">2018<\/div>\n<div class=\"chlog-sum\">Article first published.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<p>Texas, one of the best states for starting a business, offers numerous benefits for aspiring entrepreneurs. Starting up an LLC in Texas involves a few key steps to follow. It is essential to note that in Texas, searching for a business on the Secretary of State&#8217;s website may incur a $1 fee (\ud83d\udd17<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/corp\/sosda\/index.shtml\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">SOSDirect<\/a>). As soon as all the steps mentioned in this article are followed correctly, it takes no time to form your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/\">LLC in Texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you prefer assistance with the formation process, you may choose to use an LLC formation service. These companies do everything on your behalf while you can focus on your revenue. On this page, all the important steps are explained. Additionally, a video is shared for those who prefer not to read a lengthy article. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<div class=\"yt-lite\" data-id=\"5VZN5BTPQ5s\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"yt-thumb\" height=\"720\" loading=\"lazy\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;this.src='https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/5VZN5BTPQ5s\/hqdefault.jpg'\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/vi\/5VZN5BTPQ5s\/maxresdefault.jpg\" width=\"1280\"\/><button aria-label=\"Play video\" class=\"yt-play\" type=\"button\"><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"link-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/go\/form-llc\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Start <strong>Texas LLC<\/strong> Now<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"toc-content\">\n<h4>On this page<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"\/#how-to-start-an-llc-in-texas\">How to Start an LLC in Texas<\/a><a href=\"\/#after-starting-your-texas-llc\">After Starting Your Texas LLC<\/a><a href=\"\/#texas-foreign-llc\">Texas Foreign LLC<\/a><a href=\"\/#texas-llc-formation-review\">Texas LLC Formation Review<\/a><a href=\"\/#faqs\">F.A.Qs<\/a><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-start-an-llc-in-texas\">How to Start an LLC in Texas<\/h2>\n<p>An LLC (aka <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/how-to-start-an-llc\/\">Limited Liability Company<\/a>) is a hybrid business entity combining a corporation\u2019s characteristics with a partnership or sole proprietorship. It separates your personal assets from your business assets, thereby providing personal asset protection. For an LLC, the members&#8217; personal assets are not affected by the business&#8217;s debts. However, in some cases, if the LLC is sued for business debts, courts might pierce the corporate veil and use the owner&#8217;s personal assets to meet the corporation&#8217;s liabilities.<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/\">start an LLC<\/a>, you must file your Certificate of Formation with the State and pay a <strong>filing fee of $300<\/strong> (\ud83d\udd17<a href=\"https:\/\/direct.sos.state.tx.us\/help\/help-corp.asp?pg=fee\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Secretary of State, Fee Structure<\/a>). While it&#8217;s the most important step, it&#8217;s not the only one. There are 4 other crucial steps to follow to form your LLC in Texas. Below are all 5 steps that explain everything you need to do to start a Texas LLC in 2026. Let&#8217;s get started! <\/p>\n<div aria-label=\"Steps in this guide\" class=\"steps-index\"><a href=\"\/#step-0-decide-on-the-structure-and-nature-of-the-business\"><span class=\"n\">0<\/span> Decide on the Structure and Nature of the Business<\/a><a href=\"\/#step-1-decide-on-a-name-for-your-texas-llc\"><span class=\"n\">1<\/span> Decide on a Name for Your Texas LLC<\/a><a href=\"\/#step-2-assign-a-registered-agent-in-texas\"><span class=\"n\">2<\/span> Assign a Registered Agent in Texas<\/a><a href=\"\/#step-3-file-certificate-of-formation-in-texas\"><span class=\"n\">3<\/span> File Certificate of Formation in Texas<\/a><a href=\"\/#step-4-create-your-texas-llc-operating-agreement\"><span class=\"n\">4<\/span> Create Your Texas LLC Operating Agreement<\/a><a href=\"\/#step-5-filing-a-texas-llc-ein\"><span class=\"n\">5<\/span> Filing a Texas LLC EIN<\/a><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"step-0-decide-on-the-structure-and-nature-of-the-business\"><span class=\"stepnum\">Step 0<\/span>Decide on the Structure and Nature of the Business<\/h3>\n<p>Before you start filing your LLC in Texas, you must decide on the structure of your LLC (whether it is a Single-member or a Multi-member LLC). A single-member LLC is a business structure in which only one individual owns and operates the company. This type of limited liability company (LLC) provides legal protection to its owner and enables them to operate their business while taking advantage of certain tax benefits. In contrast, a traditional multi-member LLC must have at least two members involved in the company\u2019s management and ownership.<\/p>\n<p>For both types of structures, the process of establishing is the same in Texas. The tax burden might be different if you chose a different tax structure while filing the certificate of formation.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"llc-vs-s-corp\">LLC vs S-Corp<\/h4>\n<p>An LLC is a business structure that has the right to elect any tax structure. Despite having a pass-through tax advantage, many LLCs, for several reasons, elect a  different business structure for tax purposes. An S-Corp is one of those business structures that LLCs can elect. The S-Corporation is a type of corporation that is less complicated than a C-Corporation and has vast tax benefits.<\/p>\n<p>With an S-Corp, the LLC can still enjoy a pass-through taxation. However, the federal income tax will be calculated on the basis of the salary of the owner and the return he\/she gets on their share of the company. There is no corporate income tax or problem of double taxation in an S-Corp. A single-member LLC, make sure that the number of members does not exceed 100 to be an S-Corp.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a single-member LLC, electing an S-Corp can save a chunk of tax for you. As a single-member LLC, the owners have to pay by the LLC. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/what-tax-form-llc-files\/\">what tax forms LLCs file<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-1-decide-on-a-name-for-your-texas-llc\"><span class=\"stepnum\">Step 1<\/span>Decide on a Name for Your Texas LLC<\/h3>\n<p><img alt=\"texas name your llc\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/name-your-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The first step in forming a limited liability company in Texas is to give a proper name to your LLC. Before you name your business, you must know that the name should be easy to remember, available in the state, and follow all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/llc-names\/\">LLC naming guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"llc-naming-guidelines-in-texas\">LLC Naming Guidelines in Texas<\/h4>\n<p>There are a few specific requirements all the LLCs in Texas have to follow while naming their Company. Some of the most important requirements are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>&#8220;Limited Liability Company&#8221;, &#8220;LLC&#8221;, &#8220;L.L.C.&#8221;, &#8220;LC&#8221;, &#8220;L.C.&#8221;, and &#8220;Limited Company&#8221;<\/strong> &#8211; any one of these has to be used as a suffix in your business name.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>You cannot use any name for your business that is confusing or misleading. Terms such as &#8220;<strong>Treasury&#8221;, &#8220;State Department&#8221;, &#8220;FBI&#8221;, &#8220;CIA&#8221;, etc.<\/strong> shouldn&#8217;t be included.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Terms like &#8220;<strong>Bank<\/strong>&#8220;, &#8220;<strong>University<\/strong>&#8220;, &#8220;<strong>Attorney<\/strong>&#8220;, &#8220;<strong>Doctor<\/strong>&#8220;, etc, can be added only after the additional requirements by the Texas State Government are fulfilled.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>(Optional) It&#8217;s better to name your business something for which your desired domain is available.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Important Links &#8211;<\/th>\n<th>Submit Offline Form to &#8211;<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/corp\/sosda\/index.shtml\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Business Entity Search<\/a> &#8211; Online Name Search<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us\/coa\/Index.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Taxable Entity Search<\/a> &#8211; Online Entity Search by Tax ID\/EIN<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/corp\/forms\/501_boc.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Name Reservation Form<\/a> &#8211; PDF<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/direct.sos.state.tx.us\/acct\/acct-login.asp\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Name Reservation Form<\/a> &#8211; Online<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-llc-name-search\/\">Texas LLC Name Search Guide<\/a> &#8211; Instructions<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/help\/entitynames.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Name Availability Standards<\/a> &#8211; Guidelines<\/td>\n<td>Secretary of State<br \/>P.O. Box 13697<br \/>Austin, TX 78711-3697<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4 id=\"reserve-business-name-for-future\">Reserve Business Name for Future<\/h4>\n<p>If you do not wish to file your LLC right now but want to hold the name you have decided on, then you can <strong>reserve your LLC name for 120 days<\/strong> (\ud83d\udd17<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/corp\/sosda\/index.shtml\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Secretary of State<\/a>). To keep the name, you have to file a name reservation application and <strong>pay $40<\/strong> to reserve your name with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/corp\/sosda\/index.shtml\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Secretary of State<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"doing-business-as-dba-or-trade-name\">Doing Business As (DBA) or Trade Name<\/h4>\n<p>Once you have a legal name for your LLC, you can register it. However, it is not mandatory. You can, instead, use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/how-to-file-a-dba\/\">DBA<\/a>, Fictitious Name, or Trade Name. In that case, you must register your name with the Texas Secretary of State by submitting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/corp\/forms\/503_boc.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Form 503<\/a> (Assumed Name Certificate) along with the <strong>filing fee of $25<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>Do I have to include LLC in my company email\/domain?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>It is not legally mandatory to use the word LLC in your domain name or email. If you want, you can use it. However, it is recommended not to use LLC in the domain name. A domain name should be short and easy to remember.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<h3 id=\"step-2-assign-a-registered-agent-in-texas\"><span class=\"stepnum\">Step 2<\/span>Assign a Registered Agent in Texas<\/h3>\n<p><img alt=\"texas registered agent\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/assign-a-registered-agent-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The second step to forming an LLC in Texas is to appoint a Registered Agent. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/best-registered-agent-services\/\">registered agent<\/a> is a person or business entity working on your LLC&#8217;s behalf. This person or business will receive important tax forms, legal documents, all notices of lawsuits, and other official government correspondence in Texas. Hence, hiring a competent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-registered-agent\/\">Texas Registered Agent<\/a> for your LLC is necessary.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure your registered agent has a physical street address in Texas where legal documents can be received during normal business hours. Most LLC formation companies also provide registered agent services. Below are two great LLC formation services; even if you buy their cheapest plan (normally $0), you also get registered agent service and other services at a very reasonable price.<\/p>\n<p> Output for wptb id 44275 (used on ~332 pages): LLC service comparison.<br \/>\n     Logos in static\/logos\/: legalzoom.png, northwest.png. Styling: .ptable in theme\/style.css. <\/p>\n<div class=\"ptable\">\n<div class=\"ptable-head\">\n<span>LLC Service<\/span><br \/>\n<span>Our Rating<\/span><br \/>\n<span>Top Features<\/span><br \/>\n<span>Pricing<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ptable-row\">\n<div class=\"pt-service\">\n<span class=\"pt-badge\">#1 Top Pick<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/go\/legalzoom\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"LegalZoom\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/logos\/legalzoom.png\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pt-rating\">\n<div class=\"pt-stars-row\">\n<div aria-label=\"Rated 5 out of 5\" class=\"pt-stars\" role=\"img\" style=\"--rating:5\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pt-num\">5.0<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"pt-features\">\n<li>1-day rush filing (add-on)<\/li>\n<li>Attorney help (legal plan)<\/li>\n<li>Established reputation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pt-cta\">\n<div class=\"pt-price\">$0 <small>+ State Fees<\/small><\/div>\n<p><a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/go\/legalzoom\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Start My LLC<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ptable-row\">\n<div class=\"pt-service\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/go\/northwestregisteredagent\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Northwest Registered Agent\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/logos\/northwest.png\"\/><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pt-rating\">\n<div class=\"pt-stars-row\">\n<div aria-label=\"Rated 4.5 out of 5\" class=\"pt-stars\" role=\"img\" style=\"--rating:4.5\"><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"pt-num\">4.5<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"pt-features\">\n<li>Free RA service for a year<\/li>\n<li>Customised LLC Package<\/li>\n<li>Transparent pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pt-cta\">\n<div class=\"pt-price\">$39 <small>+ State Fees<\/small><\/div>\n<p><a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/go\/northwestregisteredagent\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Get Started<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>These two are our top recommendations for LLC service, as they are competent and authorized to conduct business in Texas. Some LLC formation services also offer standalone Texas registered agent services. You can purchase only Registered Agent services without purchasing any other LLC formation services. <\/p>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>Who Can Be a Registered Agent?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>A person above 18 years of age who has a physical address in the state of Texas can be a Registered Agent. A Registered Agent can be an independent person or a business entity. One is responsible for handling all the legal documents on the LLC&#8217;s behalf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>Can I Be My Own Registered Agent?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>Yes, you can be your own registered agent if you are a resident of the state of Texas and you are above 18 years of age. To become a registered agent, you must have the authority to conduct any type of business in Texas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>Why Shouldn&#8217;t I be My Own Registered Agent?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>There are a few reasons why you shouldn&#8217;t be your own registered agent. The address of the registered agent is used to communicate with the SOS or for any legal activities. If you are your own registered agent, you might have to upload your personal address to the public forum. Besides, the registered agent must be at the address during business hours. It won&#8217;t be easy for you, as you also have to take care of other things in your LLC. Hence, it is wiser to appoint a separate entity as your registered agent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>What is Piercing the Corporate Veil in an LLC?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>If an LLC is sued in Texas, in some cases, courts might decide to lift the corporate veil, which means the owners of the LLC will be personally liable for their business debts. They might have to forgo their personal assets to repay their business debts. This is called piercing the corporate veil, where personal and business assets are no longer separated. Your personal assets can be protected if you have enough capital and all your LLC documents are properly filed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<h4 id=\"registered-agent-consent-application\">Registered Agent Consent Application<\/h4>\n<p>In Texas, the registered agent can sign a consent letter (online or offline) confirming consent to being appointed in written or electronic form. This consent must include the following details,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>LLC name<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>A letter that says the person gives consent to serve the LLC as a registered agent<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The execution date<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Name of the registered agent<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Signature of the registered agent<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This consent letter assures that the Registered Agent has given their nod for the service of process as an Agent. They can reject the appointment, too, by filing a Rejection of Appointment. LLCs don&#8217;t need to file this consent letter with the Texas SOS. However, it is recommended to have this letter filed with the SOS to avoid any future discrepancy between the Registered Agent and the LLC. The Acceptance of Consent (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/corp\/forms\/401-a-boc.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Form 401-A<\/a>) can be filed by paying a <strong>fee of $15<\/strong> (\ud83d\udd17<a href=\"https:\/\/direct.sos.state.tx.us\/help\/help-corp.asp?pg=fee\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Secretary of State, Fee Structure<\/a>).<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-3-file-certificate-of-formation-in-texas\"><span class=\"stepnum\">Step 3<\/span>File Certificate of Formation in Texas<\/h3>\n<p><img alt=\"texas certificate of formation\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/file-certificate-of-formation-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The third and most important step in forming an LLC is to file the <strong>Certificate of Formation<\/strong>. This Texas Certificate of Formation is a legal document that is required to register your business with the Texas Secretary of State. <strong>It costs $300<\/strong> (online and by mail) to file your formation certificate in Texas.<\/p>\n<p>The Certificate of Formation includes details like the name of the LLC, the registered agent&#8217;s name, address, and company structure (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/member-managed-vs-manager-managed\/\">member-managed or manager-managed<\/a>). Before hiring employees in a Texas LLC, one should thoroughly know the rules and regulations. Also, if you are expanding your existing business (an LLC) in other states to Texas, you must register as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-foreign-llc\/\">Texas Foreign LLC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h5 id=\"how-to-file-online\">How to File Online<\/h5>\n<p>Go to the <a href=\"https:\/\/direct.sos.state.tx.us\/acct\/acct-login.asp\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Secretary of State Online Service<\/a>. You will get the login page. If you are already a subscriber, then log in with your credentials. If not, then you have to request for SOSDirect Account. You can either select the option &#8216;Request for SOSDirect Account&#8217; from the Login page or click on the button below. Read more about the Texas Certificate of Formation for online registration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"link-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/direct.sos.state.tx.us\/acct\/acct-login.asp\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Online Filing<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"link-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/direct.sos.state.tx.us\/acct\/acct-subscribe.asp\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Request for SOSDirect Account<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 id=\"how-to-file-by-mail\">How to File by Mail<\/h5>\n<p>If you prefer filing real-life forms for your LLC registration in Texas, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/corp\/forms\/205_boc.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">download Form 205<\/a>. Read the form thoroughly, fill it out, and send it to the address mentioned below.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mailing Address:<\/strong> Secretary of State<br \/>\nP.O. Box 13697<br \/>\nAustin, TX 78711-3697<\/p>\n<p><strong>In-Person Submission:<\/strong><br \/>\nJames Earl Rudder Office Building<br \/>\n1019 Brazos<br \/>\nAustin, TX 78701<\/p>\n<p><strong>Processing Time:<\/strong> Online filings are generally processed in about 3-5 business days. Mail filings typically take 5-7 business days. Texas state offers expedited filing at $750 (same-day filing), $500 (next day filing), and $50 (standard expedited filing). Expedited filing is available only for the in-person, by mail, or by courier filing.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"texas-express-llc-filing-is-the-rush-fee-worth-it-in-2026\">Texas Express LLC Filing: Is the Rush Fee Worth It in 2026?<\/h4>\n<p>Texas is not the only state that offers expedited filing, especially same-day filing (within 12 PM). Many other states offer the same with an additional cost. However, Texas charges a fortune to process the documents within the same day. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.state.tx.us\/about\/newsreleases\/2026\/071426.shtml\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Texas Express LLC filing<\/a> has three options, <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>$750 for same-say processing if filed within 12 PM. The process starts by the end of official time of the day. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>$500 for the next day processing if filed within 12 PM. The process starts within the next working 24 hours within filing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>$50 for standard expedited filing. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Compared to other states, Texas is highly expensive when it comes to new Express Service. The fee mentioned above has to be paid over $300 filing fee for any individual, filing their LLC for the first time. Other states that have same-day service offer $150 to $250. Compared to the $750 in Texas sounds much higher for many. <\/p>\n<p>Apart from the high fee, the express service is available only for the in-person, by mail, and by courier filing, not for the online. A large section of people file their LLC online that takes 2-3 working days to process. The express service is not available for online filers. That&#8217;s a major issue for the online filers.<\/p>\n<p>However, the state authority said, since the declaration of this fee, more than 2500 business were processed using the express service. Hence, users are liking this service and they are ready to pay the fee. <\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-4-create-your-texas-llc-operating-agreement\"><span class=\"stepnum\">Step 4<\/span>Create Your Texas LLC Operating Agreement<\/h3>\n<p><img alt=\"texas operating agreement\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/create-operating-agreement-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Moving on to the fourth step, creating your operating agreement. An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/operating-agreement\/\">operating agreement<\/a> is an internal document that legally outlines the proprietorship and operating procedures of your LLC. This document is vital as it ensures that all business owners are on the same page regarding how they operate, their voting power, business dissolution, and such, thus reducing future conflicts.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to creating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/llc-operating-agreement-texas\/\">Texas LLC Operating Agreement<\/a>, the state <strong>does not require you to have a comprehensive operating agreement<\/strong>, but it is ideal to have one that contains all the details of your business operation, which helps in making future business decisions, especially if you decide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-llc-dissolution\/\">dissolve a Texas LLC<\/a> later. Hence, having an operating agreement may not be necessary, but it is surely ideal.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"step-5-filing-a-texas-llc-ein\"><span class=\"stepnum\">Step 5<\/span>Filing a Texas LLC EIN<\/h3>\n<p><img alt=\"texas file EIN for llc\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/file-EIN-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Employer Identification Number or, simply, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/ein\/\">EIN<\/a> is a nine-digit number given by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Internal Revenue Service (IRS)<\/a> to make it easier to identify the type of business for tax purposes and taxes in general. The EIN is necessary for any active business or any form of business, for that matter.<\/p>\n<p>For an LLC in Texas, an EIN is required when the LLC hires employees. Apart from that, banking services, tax filings, and many other government documents require an LLC to obtain an EIN in Texas. On the other hand, if your LLC is based in another state (home state) and you are expanding your business in Texas, you must get an EIN to establish a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-foreign-llc\/\">Foreign LLC in Texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>To obtain an EIN (aka FEIN), one must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/pub\/irs-pdf\/fss4.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">fill out a form<\/a> (Online or by mail) and submit it to the IRS. Enter details of your LLC, and finally, complete the form and send it to the address given. You can also get an EIN Assistant to help you with the process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mail to:<\/strong> Internal Revenue Service, Attn: EIN Operation, Cincinnati, OH 45999<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fax:<\/strong> (855) 641-6935 | <strong>Fee:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"after-starting-your-texas-llc\">After Starting Your Texas LLC<\/h2>\n<p>After forming your LLC, there are still some things that you will need. The most important thing is to separate your business and personal assets. LLCs have limited liability protection that protects your personal assets from business liability. This is called a corporate veil. However, the corporate veil can be lifted or pierced by the court if the LLC is sued. In that case, the owners of the LLC become personally liable for their corporate debts. A few things, like appointing a legit registered agent, having enough capital, and filing all the major documents with the state, can save the LLCs from being pierced through the corporate veil.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"boi-report-filing\">BOI Report Filing<\/h3>\n<p>Previously (since 2024), as per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/corporate-transparency-act\/\">Corporate Transparency Act<\/a>, every U.S. domestic and foreign LLC registered under the United States government, had to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fincen.gov\/boi\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">FinCEN<\/a>. However, on March 26, 2025, the FinCEN removed all U.S. domestic businesses to file BOI reports.<\/p>\n<p>In a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fincen.gov\/news\/news-releases\/fincen-permanently-ends-beneficial-ownership-reporting-requirements-millions\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Press Release<\/a>, published by the FinCEN on 11 August. 2026, the BOI report filing rule has been removed for all the domestic and foreign businesses under U.S. government. <em>The final rule is effective on its publication in the Federal Register<\/em> <strong>(August 14, 2026)<\/strong> &#8211; stated by the FinCEN authority on their official website on August 11, 2026. For more details, read our latest report on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/corporate-transparency-act\/\">Corporate Transparency Act and BOI Filing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Apart from that, there are a few things you need to take note of,<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Get a company business bank account<\/strong>, business credit card, and other business accounts to check up on the business expenses and business accounting software if needed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>File Texas business permits &amp; licenses<\/strong>. For Texas business permits &amp; licenses, we can consider health permits, building permits, and others based on your simple business structure. Besides, look for the details of business licenses, whether you need federal business licenses, and what the fees are for the business licenses you need.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Get general liability insurance<\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/professional-liability-insurance\/\">professional liability insurance<\/a> with coverage for employees. Companies with employees must get coverage for their employees. There can be many types of business insurance. If you have a simple business structure like an LLC, you can go for basic insurance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>File a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-llc-annual-report\/\">Texas LLC annual report<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This page has provided you with steps to LLC formation and filing processes. You now have to remember upcoming filing deadlines and filing fees or filing costs, including penalties for failure to file, to make sure your LLC is up-to-date. To avoid penalties or penalty fees, you must renew your LLC on time.<\/p>\n<p>Online filings are generally processed in about 3-5 business days. Mail filings typically take 5-7 business days. Check <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/how-long-it-takes-to-form-an-llc\/\">how long it takes to form an LLC<\/a> to know about the tentative timelines.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cost-of-starting-an-llc-in-the-state-of-texas\">Cost of Starting an LLC in the State of Texas<\/h3>\n<p>LLCs can be formed for a very low price. Apart from the mandatory state filing fees, you don&#8217;t have to bear additional service charges if you do it yourself. The following are the fees and taxes LLCs in Texas must pay to register and run a business in the state. Forming an LLC is no doubt cost-effective compared to other business structures. However, the fees and charges (tax-deductible) that you must pay to the state, such as name reservation fee, name filing fee, LLC filing fee, and Franchise Tax &amp; Sales Tax (If applicable). Here are the main fees and taxes you must pay while forming your limited liability company in Texas.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Fees\/Tax<\/th>\n<th>Amount to be Paid<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Name Reservation Fee (optional)<\/td>\n<td>$40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Certificate of Formation Fee<\/td>\n<td>$300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Franchise Tax (For Retail &amp; Wholesaler)<\/td>\n<td>0.375%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Franchise Tax (For other than retail &amp; wholesaler)<\/td>\n<td>0.75%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sales Tax (if applicable)<\/td>\n<td>6.25% state tax + up to 2% local tax (max 8.25%)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sales tax applies only to businesses selling taxable goods or services and is not an annual LLC fee.<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>In Texas, LLC name reservation is not mandatory. You can register your LLC name at the time of registering your LLC. If you wish to hold the name for some time without registering your LLC, then a Name Reservation is needed. It can be renewed by paying $40. Your LLC name will be reserved for an additional 120 days. In some states, Name Reservation is mandatory. Read our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/llc-cost-in-texas\/\">LLC costs in Texas<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<p>Texas LLCs do not file an annual report with the Secretary of State. Instead, LLCs must file the required Franchise Tax Report and Public Information Report (PIR) with the Texas Comptroller by <strong>May 15<\/strong> each year. For 2026, the no-tax-due threshold is $2,650,000. LLCs below this threshold must file only the<a href=\"https:\/\/comptroller.texas.gov\/taxes\/franchise\/pir-oir-filing-req.php\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> Public Information Report (Form 05-102)<\/a>. A <strong>$50 late penalty<\/strong> applies to late filings. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"texas-foreign-llc\">Texas Foreign LLC<\/h2>\n<p>If you are interested in forming a Foreign Limited Liability Company in Texas, then you need to file the Certificate of Foreign LLC to the Texas Secretary of State. Foreign LLCs allow you to operate your business in more than one state. Along with the Certificate of Foreign LLC, you need to submit more documents, like the Certificate of Good Standing, etc., to the Texas SOS to form your foreign LLC n Texas. To set up a foreign LLC, you must submit the Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company. To know more in detail, check out our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-foreign-llc\/\">Texas Foreign LLC<\/a> for the process of filing a foreign LLC.<\/p>\n<p>Texas LLCs have different annual compliance process than many other states. Instead of filing an annual report with the Secretary of State, LLCs must file the required Franchise Tax Comptroller by May 15 each year. <\/p>\n<h4 id=\"community-property-state\">Community Property State<\/h4>\n<p>In Texas, having an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/start-an-llc-with-spouse\/\">LLC with your wife\/spouse<\/a> brings simplicity and equal profit to both partners. Hence, if you start an LLC in Texas with your spouse, you can create a single-member LLC instead of a partnership or multi-member LLC and still get equal rights in the LLC.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"texas-llc-formation-review\">Texas LLC Formation Review<\/h2>\n<p>Time needed: 5 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Just to recap, here are the easy steps again when forming an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/\">LLC in Texas<\/a>. Click on the steps in this list to read the full details.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/#name\">Name your Texas LLC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The first thing you must do is to choose a company name, which should be unique, easy to find, and available in the state.<br \/>\n<img alt=\"texas name your llc\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/name-your-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/#choose-a-registered-agent\">Choose a Registered Agent<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In Texas, it is mandatory to select a registered agent for your LLC. Get a professional Registered Agent from LLC formation services to get things done hassle-free.<br \/>\n<img alt=\"texas registered agent\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/assign-a-registered-agent-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/#file-the-certificate-of-formation\">File a Formation Certificate<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Filing a formation certificate is necessary when forming a Limited Liability Company in Texas. Depending on the state, it could be called any of the following: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization.<br \/>\n<img alt=\"texas certificate of formation\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/file-certificate-of-formation-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/#create-an-operating-agreement\">Create an Operating Agreement<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An operating agreement is not a strict requirement in Texas but something encouraged when you start an LLC to avoid future conflicts.<br \/>\n<img alt=\"texas operating agreement\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/create-operating-agreement-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/#obtain-an-ein\">Get an EIN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called Federal Tax Identification Number, serves to identify a business entity, like a Social Security number, but for a company.<br \/>\n<img alt=\"texas file EIN for llc\" class=\"img-small\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/images\/file-EIN-for-LLC.png\" width=\"512\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"faqs\">F.A.Qs<\/h2>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>Can I file an LLC in Texas by myself?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>If you are a resident of Texas, then you can file your LLC by yourself. However, if you&#8217;re a beginner, it may be worth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/best-llc-service\/\">having a professional<\/a> rather than doing it yourself to handle legal complexities, paperwork, and other documentation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>What is the cost of forming an LLC in Texas in a year?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>Apart from the formation fee of $300 (domestic LLC) and $750 (foreign LLC), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/llc-cost-in-texas\/\">LLC costs in Texas<\/a> include $0 for Annual Reports every year. LLCs are liable to pay sales tax of 6.25% every year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>How long does it take to get an LLC in Texas?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>It takes 3 business days to get an LLC in the state of Texas if you file it online. For the mail filing, it takes 5 to 7 business days to get an LLC. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>How to renew my LLC in the state of Texas?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>below the $2,650,000 no-tax-due threshold must file only the Public Information Report (Form 05-102). A $50 late penalty applies to late filings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"faq\">\n<summary>What is the tax structure for an LLC in the state of Texas?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"faq-a\">\n<p>Generally, for LLCs, it is a default tax structure. Once you obtain the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/ein\/\">EIN<\/a>, you will get the various tax structure options to select. Sometimes LLCs choose an S Corp to reduce federal tax burdens. Read more on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/texas-llc\/texas-llc-annual-report\/\">Texas Classification of LLC Tax<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<h4 id=\"in-conclusion\">In Conclusion<\/h4>\n<p>When it comes to forming an LLC in Texas, it is much simpler than other business structures. In Texas, starting a small business or a start-up is easy because of its diverse resources. For small budget holders, forming a limited liability company is desirable. The steps explained in this article are generic steps for starting a business in Texas. It is recommended to consult an attorney or industry expert.<\/p>\n<div class=\"helpful\" id=\"helpfulWidget\">\n<div class=\"helpful-q\">\n<h3>Was this page helpful?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"helpful-btns\">\n<button class=\"helpful-btn\" data-v=\"yes\" type=\"button\">\ud83d\udc4d Yes<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"helpful-btn\" data-v=\"no\" type=\"button\">\ud83d\udc4e No<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"helpful-thanks\">\ud83d\ude4f <b>Thanks for your feedback!<\/b> It helps us keep this guide accurate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pref-src-block\">\n<div class=\"pref-src-copy\">\n<span class=\"pref-src-label\">Find LLCBuddy first on Google<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"pref-src-sub\">Add us as a preferred source to see our guides in Google Search, Discover &amp; AI Overviews.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pref-src\" data-lang=\"en\" google-add-preferred-source-btn=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn the five essential steps to quickly and effectively start your LLC in Texas, ensuring personal asset protection and business growth potential.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-100607","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/100607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/100607\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendsmosaic.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}