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Vermont corporation cost

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

1 year$215
3 years$335
5 years$455

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

Vermont corporation cost at a glance

Forming a corporation in Vermont costs $155 in state filing fees. After that, Vermont charges a report fee of $60 a year. Over five years the state's own charges come to $455, the 33rd 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$155sos.vermont.gov
Annual or biennial report fee$60sos.vermont.gov
Foreign registration (another state's corporation)$155sos.vermont.gov

What to know

How to form a corporation in Vermont

  1. Check the name. Search the Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $155 to form a corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Vermont. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Stay in good standing. Vermont charges a report fee of $60 a year. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in Vermont

An LLC costs $155 to start, then a report fee of $45 a year. A nonprofit corporation costs $430 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $35 every 2 years. Registering an assumed business name (DBA) with the state costs $70. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state corporation in Vermont

A corporation formed in another state registers in Vermont as a foreign corporation. The Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division charges $155 for the registration.

Common questions

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

The state filing fee is $155, and Vermont then charges a report fee of $60 a year.

What does a corporation in Vermont cost over five years?

$455 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.

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

$155, paid to the Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services Division.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a corporation in Vermont

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $155

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

    Do it yourself

    File with Vermont Secretary of State, Business Services 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 Vermont who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.

    Do it yourself

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

    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

    $60 a year

    The recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing. Vermont profit corporations renew each fiscal year by filing an annual report within the first two and a half months. source

  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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