How to Form an LLC in Connecticut (2026): Real Costs, Real Steps
Connecticut requires a $120 filing fee for Articles of Organization, submitted to the Secretary of State either online or by mail. You'll name a registered agent with a Connecticut street address—Northwest Registered Agent at $125/year handles this reliably. After state approval (typically 5-7 business days standard, 1-2 business days expedited), obtain a federal EIN from the IRS at no cost. Draft an Operating Agreement even though Connecticut doesn't require filing it. Open a business bank account; Mercury offers clean online setup for LLCs. Connecticut LLCs file a biennial report every two years at $80, due in the anniversary month of formation. No publication requirement. Connecticut does impose a state corporate income tax, but single-member LLCs taxed as disregarded entities report income on personal returns.
Before you file, two things drive cost the most in Connecticut: registered agent requirements and whether you open Mercury vs Bluevine business banking separately. The full breakdown below covers both.
Year-1 cost table
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | $120 | cite |
| Biennial Report (every 2 years, due anniversary month) | $80 | cite |
| Registered Agent (Northwest, annual) | $125 | cite |
| Expedited processing (optional, 1-2 business days) | $50 | cite |
| Year 1 total (standard processing, Northwest RA) | $245 | cite |
The 6 steps
- Step 1: File Articles of Organization
Submit the formation document to the Connecticut Secretary of State. See the cost table above for the current filing fee.
- Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
Every Connecticut LLC needs a registered agent with a Connecticut street address. You can serve yourself, but most founders use a commercial RA — Northwest is our default pick.
- Step 3: Get an EIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)
Apply with the IRS using your stamped Articles of Organization. Free, takes 5 minutes online.
- Step 4: Adopt an Operating Agreement
Required by best practice — banks routinely request it before opening business accounts.
- Step 5: Open a Business Bank Account
Mercury for software/online businesses; a local credit union for cash-heavy retail. Keep personal and business finances separate from day one.
- Step 6: File State Tax Registrations
Register for Connecticut state taxes (sales tax permit, payroll registration if you have employees, etc.) before you transact.
Recommended tools
Northwest vs ZenBusiness for Connecticut LLCs
Verdict (as of 2026): Northwest Registered Agent is our default pick for Connecticut LLCs. They publish a Connecticut-specific registered-agent page (linked in the cost table) and do not upsell add-ons at checkout. ZenBusiness wins only if you want bundled formation in a single flow.
| Criterion | Northwest | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Registered-agent only price (Connecticut) | $125/yr | $199/yr |
| Bundled formation | Optional add-on | Included in formation plans |
| Privacy (address shielding) | Strong | Strong |
| Upsells at checkout | None | Several |
| Annual-report filing service | $100/yr add-on | $199/yr add-on |
Frequently asked questions
Does Connecticut require LLC publication in newspapers?
No. Connecticut does not require newly formed LLCs to publish a notice of formation in any newspaper, unlike states such as New York or Arizona.
What is Connecticut's biennial report, and when is it due?
Connecticut LLCs file a biennial report every two years (not annually) by the last day of the month in which the LLC was originally formed. The fee is $80, and the report updates member/manager information and confirms the registered agent.
Do I need a Connecticut street address for my registered agent?
Yes. Connecticut requires a registered agent with a physical street address in Connecticut (no P.O. boxes). Northwest Registered Agent provides this service at $125/year and forwards legal mail reliably.
Does Connecticut have a state income tax on LLCs?
Connecticut imposes a corporate income tax, but most LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities, meaning profits are reported on members' personal state income tax returns. Single-member LLCs taxed as disregarded entities report on the owner's CT-1040.
How long does Connecticut LLC approval take?
Standard online filings typically process in 5-7 business days. Expedited processing ($50 additional fee) reduces approval to 1-2 business days. Mail filings take longer, often 3-4 weeks.
Annual filing deadline
Connecticut LLCs must file a biennial report every two years by the last day of the anniversary month of formation, with an $80 fee; late filings incur penalties.
Authoritative sources
- https://portal.ct.gov/sos/business/business-services/limited-liability-company
- https://portal.ct.gov/drs/business-tax-information/business-tax-information
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
Other states
Updated 2026-05-12. Source quality: d1_hydrated. AthenAI is not a law firm; this page is informational.