If a service advertises "$99 LLC", run. Here's what year 1 actually costs.
Mandatory costs (year 1)
| Item | Wyoming | New Mexico | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $100 | $50 | $110 |
| Registered Agent (year 1) | $99-$150 | $99-$150 | $99-$150 |
| EIN application | $0 (DIY) or $150-$300 (service) | same | same |
| Operating Agreement | $0 (DIY template) or $50-$200 | same | same |
| Mailing address (if needed) | $9-$20/mo | $9-$20/mo | $9-$20/mo |
| Subtotal mandatory | $300-$700 | $250-$650 | $310-$710 |
Likely costs (year 1)
- Mercury / Wise account opening: $0
- ITIN application (if needed): $150-$400
- Form 5472 + 1120 prep: $200-$500 (DIY) or $899/yr (service)
- Bookkeeping: $0-$50/month for a simple business
- Tax preparer for your country (Brazil/EU/etc.): $200-$1,000 depending on complexity
Optional costs that "save you money"
- Domain + website: $10/yr domain + $0-$20/mo hosting
- Logo: $0-$200
- Stripe account: free (% per transaction)
- PayPal account: free (% per transaction)
24h LLC
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Realistic total for year 1
- DIY everything: $400-$800
- Use a service like LLCora New Mexico (€249): €249 + $0 (RA included) + Form 5472 self-prep ≈ $200 total in year 1
- Use Doola Total Compliance: $2,300+ in year 1
What about the "$99 LLC" ads?
Those services typically charge:
- $99 to file (looks great)
- + $250 for "expedited filing" (forced upsell)
- + $300 for EIN
- + $150 for Operating Agreement
- + $99-$269/yr for Registered Agent (often hidden)
Realistic out-of-pocket: $700-$900 in year 1. The $99 was bait.
Our pricing in plain English
- New Mexico (€249): NM filing fee paid + Registered Agent year 1 + Articles + Operating Agreement template. EIN is DIY (we provide instructions).
- Wyoming (€429): Wyoming + everything in New Mexico + we file your EIN with the IRS.
- Premium (€429 + €79,99): Pro + Form 5472 reminder + Mercury guide + ITIN support + 1:1 call.
No hidden upsells. Ever.