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Alabama corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Alabama, from Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division.

1 year$200
3 years$200
5 years$200

Formation plus recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

Alabama corporation cost at a glance

Forming a corporation in Alabama costs $200 in state filing fees. After that, Alabama charges no annual report fee. Over five years the state's own charges come to $200, the 18th lowest of the 51 states with full corporation figures here (the median is $285). Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.

Line by line

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee
Includes $100 the Secretary of State pays to the county treasurer; the state form lists no separate probate fee.
$200www.sos.alabama.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
Corporations no longer file an annual report with the Secretary of State.
$0www.sos.alabama.gov
Foreign registration (another state's corporation)
Application for certificate of authority, online filing fee.
$150www.sos.alabama.gov

What to know

How to form a corporation in Alabama

  1. Check the name. Search the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division charges $200 to form a corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Alabama. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Stay in good standing. Alabama charges no annual report fee. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in Alabama

An LLC costs $200 to start, with no annual report fee. A nonprofit corporation costs $475 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, with no annual report fee. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state corporation in Alabama

A corporation formed in another state registers in Alabama as a foreign corporation. The Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division charges $150 for the registration.

Common questions

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Alabama?

The state filing fee is $200, and Alabama then charges no annual report fee.

What does a corporation in Alabama cost over five years?

$200 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.

How much does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Alabama?

$150, paid to the Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a corporation in Alabama

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $200

    The document that creates your corporation with the state of Alabama.

    Do it yourself

    File with Alabama Secretary of State, Business Entities Division. You pay only the state fee.

    Have it done

    • Tailor Brands$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), processing in 14 business days. Registered agent $199/yr; EIN $99; Essential $199/yr and Elite $249/yr plans add faster filing and compliance
    • ZenBusiness$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name check. Registered agent $99 first year, then $199/yr; EIN +$99
    • Zenind$0 + state feestate filing, name check, filing within 7 days. Registered agent and address +$99/yr; bylaws and certificates $99 unless on Standard or Premium
    • Registered Agents Inc$100 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), online account. Registered agent $200/yr after year 1
    • LegalZoomfrom $149 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name search, tax consultation. Registered agent optional, price not stated on page

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  2. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in Alabama who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in Alabama.

    Have it done

    • ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
    • Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
    • Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  3. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The federal number banks and the IRS use for your corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".

  4. 4

    File the annual report

    $0

    The recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing.

  5. 5

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.

    Options

    • Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
    • Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
    • Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  6. 6

    Optional: elect S corporation status

    Filed with the IRS

    The IRS describes Form 2553 this way: a corporation or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation files it to make an election under section 1362(a) to be an S corporation.

    Do it yourself

    IRS Form 2553.

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