What are the filing fees for South Dakota LLCs?

South Dakota offers predictable LLC formation costs with a $150 online filing fee and straightforward ongoing compliance. The state charges $165 for paper submissions due to a $15 processing surcharge, while annual reports cost just $55 with no franchise taxes for LLCs or complex requirements that burden businesses in other states.

Processing times remain consistent across filing methods, with online submissions providing convenience and cost savings. South Dakota's transparent fee structure eliminates surprise charges and provides reliable cost planning for business formation and ongoing operations.

Current South Dakota LLC filing fees

South Dakota maintains consistent filing costs with optional expedited processing available for time-sensitive formations.

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The $150 online filing fee creates your LLC's legal existence with the Secretary of State. Paper submissions include a $15 processing surcharge, making online filing more cost-effective for most formations.

Annual compliance requires only a $55 fee payment with no additional paperwork requirements, providing ongoing simplicity compared to states with complex annual filing obligations.

How South Dakota's filing fees compare to other states

South Dakota's $150 formation fee and $55 annual cost position the state competitively within the regional market and nationally.

Compare that with neighboring states:

• North Dakota: $135 formation, $50 annually
• Wyoming: $102 formation, $60 annually
• Nebraska: $100 formation, $26 annually
• Minnesota: $155 formation, $25 annually
• Iowa: $50 formation, $30 annually
• Montana: $70 formation, $20 annually

Nationally, South Dakota avoids the extremes of both budget and premium states. High-cost states like Massachusetts charge $500 for formation plus $500 annually, while California tempts with low formation fees but imposes substantial franchise taxes that accumulate quickly.

South Dakota's value proposition includes predictable costs, no franchise taxes, efficient online processing, and straightforward annual compliance that eliminates ongoing surprises.

Additional filing fees to consider for South Dakota LLCs

Beyond the basic $150 formation fee, several optional charges might apply during your LLC's lifecycle, depending on business needs and operational requirements.

• Name reservation costs $25 if you want to hold your LLC name for 120 days while finalizing paperwork.
• Registered agent costs vary based on your approach. Acting as your own agent costs nothing if you have a reliable South Dakota address during business hours. Commercial services typically charge $100–$300 annually for privacy and convenience.
• Certified copies run $15 plus $2 per page. DBA registration costs just $10 if you want to operate under a different business name.

After formation, amendments cost $60 each for changes to your company name, members, or business purpose.

Let Discern handle your South Dakota LLC filings

Discern automates South Dakota formation filings, tracks annual report deadlines, and provides professional registered agent services as part of comprehensive multi-state compliance management.

Ready to eliminate your compliance burdens? Book a demo with Discern today and discover how we streamline filings and ongoing compliance requirements.