Comparison
Texas vs Florida LLC (2026)
These are the two Sun Belt operating-state charters founders actually compare when they plan to live, hire, or sell in-state. Texas front-loads a higher SOS filing fee, then usually charges nothing in recurring SOS/franchise cash under the Comptroller threshold. Florida is cheaper on day one, then invoices $138.75 every May — miss it and the late tab is $538.75.
At a glance — SOS / revenue only
| State | Articles | Typical recurring | ~3-yr state | Rank / 51 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $300 | $0 (under franchise threshold) | $300 | #30 |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 (annual report) | $541.25 | #40 |
Same two + professional RA (Northwest path)
State fees are identical whichever formation company you use. Adding the national provider table’s Northwest path ($289 over 3 years: $39 formation with RA year 1, then $125 RA years 2–3) shows how RA spend sits on top of either charter.
Texas — higher Articles, quiet years for small LLCs
SOS Form 205 instructions set the Certificate of Formation filing fee at $300 (credit-card payments add a 2.7% convenience fee). There is no SOS annual report. Franchise tax is $0 when annualized total revenue is at or below the no-tax-due threshold — $2,650,000 for report years 2026–2027 per the Comptroller. The Public Information Report (Form 05-102) is still required annually for LLCs even when no tax is due; the PIR itself has no filing fee. Three years under that threshold → $300 state SOS/revenue cash.
- ~3-year state fees: $300
- Watch: Cross the franchise threshold and tax is no longer $0. Miss the PIR and the Comptroller can freeze your right to transact. Card convenience fee is extra on SOS filings.
- Sources: Form 205 instructions · Franchise tax rates & thresholds · Full Texas hub
Florida — cheaper day one, calendar tax every May
Sunbiz LLC Fees list a new Florida/foreign LLC at $125 total ($100 filing + $25 registered agent fee). The Annual Report (with supplemental fee) is $138.75 by May 1 each year; received after May 1 it jumps to $538.75. No separate state income tax / franchise tax on LLC profits in this SOS math. Articles + three on-time annual reports → $541.25.
- ~3-year state fees: $541.25
- Watch: The late annual report is the expensive gotcha — one miss costs more than three on-time filings. First report timing follows Sunbiz calendar rules after formation.
- Sources: Sunbiz LLC Fees · File Annual Report · Full Florida hub
Who each state is for (orientation only)
- Texas — founders who will operate in Texas, can absorb a $300 day-one SOS fee, and expect to stay under the Comptroller no-tax-due threshold (and still file the free PIR every May 15).
- Florida — founders who will operate in Florida, prefer a lower formation fee, and will calendar the $138.75 Sunbiz annual report every May without fail.
Neither charter is a nexus shield for operating in the other state — or in California, New York, or anywhere else you actually do business.
How this page is built
- Source of truth: Texas and Florida hubs — same numbers as those pages.
- Re-check (2026-09-09): Form 205 still $300; Comptroller 2026–2027 no-tax-due still $2,650,000; Sunbiz still $125 new LLC / $138.75 annual / $538.75 late — no fee drift.
- Wyoming companion check: SOS fee schedule (effective July 1, 2026) still $100 Articles / $60 license-tax floor — no drift on the privacy-charter side either.
- Excludes: professional RA (except the optional Northwest add-on table), convenience fees, foreign qualification, and operating taxes above the Texas threshold.
Form lean, then pick the charter on purpose
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