The harder decisions come before and after the form. Before filing, the owner picks a name that is distinguishable from existing Michigan entities and includes a required designator, and decides who will serve as resident agent. After filing, the owner keeps the LLC in good standing. LARA's guidance on annual reports and annual statements sets these rules:
- The annual statement is due February 15 each year after organization.
- The fee is $25.00, with a $50.00 penalty if the statement is received after February 15.
- An LLC formed after September 30 skips the next February 15 statement.
- Failing to file can lead to dissolution, revocation or loss of good standing.
The state fee for filing the articles themselves is not among the figures this page has verified. Confirm it on LARA's current fee schedule before submitting.
Once the state approves the LLC, the IRS issues an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for free. A formation service mainly saves time and adds deadline reminders. Nothing in Michigan's process requires one.
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Michigan LLC fees, deadlines and requirements
| Item | Figure or requirement | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Not verified here; check before filing | LARA, CSCL published fee schedule |
| Annual statement due date | February 15 each year after organization | LARA, Annual Reports and Annual Statements |
| Formed after September 30 | Skip the next February 15 statement | LARA, Annual Reports and Annual Statements |
| Annual statement fee | $25.00 | LARA, Annual Reports and Annual Statements |
| Late penalty | $50.00 if received after February 15 | LARA, Annual Reports and Annual Statements |
| Failure to file | Dissolution, revocation or loss of good standing | LARA, Annual Reports and Annual Statements |
| EIN | $0; form the LLC first; never pay a third party | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number |
| Federal BOI report | US-formed companies exempt | FinCEN, Beneficial Ownership Information |
Filing step by step
1. Choose and check the name
The name must be distinguishable from names on Michigan's records. It must also carry an LLC designator, such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Words suggesting a regulated business, such as banking or insurance, need approval from the relevant licensing authority before LARA will accept them. Search LARA's business entity records before filing to avoid a rejection. LARA also offers name reservation, with the cost listed on its fee schedule.
2. Decide who will be the resident agent
Michigan calls the registered agent a "resident agent." Its address is the "registered office," which must be a Michigan street address. The agent receives lawsuits and official notices on the LLC's behalf.
An owner who lives in Michigan can serve as their own agent at no cost. The tradeoffs are that the address becomes public record and someone must be reachable there during business hours.
Owners who live outside Michigan, or who would rather not put a home address on public record, can hire a commercial resident agent instead. The comparison below covers what that costs.
3. Complete the Articles of Organization
Download the current form from LARA rather than relying on a saved copy. It asks for the LLC's name, the resident agent and registered office, a mailing address if different, and the LLC's duration if it is not perpetual. Optional provisions, such as management by managers rather than members, can be added. An organizer signs the form, and that person does not have to be an owner.
4. Submit and pay
File online through LARA's filing system or on paper by mail. Expedited processing costs extra, as listed on LARA's fee schedule. Online filing avoids mail time and shows a rejection sooner.
5. After approval
Apply for an EIN. The IRS says the application is free, that the entity should be formed with the state first, and that no one should pay a third party to obtain one.
Next, write an operating agreement for the LLC's own records. Then put February 15 on the calendar, keeping LARA's September 30 rule in mind. No federal beneficial ownership report is needed, because FinCEN exempts entities created in the United States.
Doing it alone versus using a service
Filing alone costs the state filing fee plus the owner's time. The main risks are a name conflict, a missing designator, or a resident agent address that does not qualify. A careful name search and a real Michigan street address remove most of that risk. The ongoing burden is one February deadline a year.
A service handles the same form. Owners who want one can form the LLC through ZenBusiness. Its Starter plan is $0 plus the state fee, Pro is $199 a year, and Premium is $299 a year. Resident agent service is a separate $199 a year on every tier, including Premium, discounted to $99 in the first year when forming with ZenBusiness. What the money buys is:
- Convenience and a second check on the paperwork
- Compliance reminders
- On the paid tiers, extras such as documents and ongoing support
It does not unlock anything the state withholds from people who file on their own.
A service makes the most sense for three kinds of owners: those outside Michigan (who cannot serve as their own resident agent), those who do not want a home address on public record, and those likely to miss a February deadline. For a Michigan resident comfortable listing their own address, filing alone is a reasonable choice.
statebystateformation.com earns a commission on some links, including the ZenBusiness link above. That does not change the assessment on this page.
FAQ
Is the Michigan Articles of Organization LARA fee cost $50?
Yes. The state filing fee for Michigan Articles of Organization is $50, paid to LARA when the form is submitted. After that, the recurring state cost is the $25.00 annual statement, due February 15 each year after organization, with a $50.00 penalty if it arrives late.
Where does LARA list the Michigan LLC Articles of Organization filing fee and form for 2026?
Both are published by LARA's Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau on michigan.gov. Download the form and read the fee directly from LARA at the time of filing, since third-party summaries can lag behind changes.
What do Michigan's instructions say about the resident agent and the annual statement?
The articles must name a resident agent with a registered office at a Michigan street address. After formation, LARA requires an annual statement by February 15 each year after organization, with a $25.00 fee. LLCs formed after September 30 skip the next February 15. Late statements carry a $50.00 penalty, and not filing can lead to dissolution, revocation or loss of good standing.
Does a Michigan LLC need to file a BOI report?
No federal report is required. FinCEN states that companies formed in the United States are exempt from beneficial ownership information reporting.
Sources
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, “Annual Reports and Annual Statements”
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This page is general information, not legal advice; requirements vary by state and change over time.