Free Online Calculator
Calculate your total costs for forming and maintaining an LLC in Alabama. No recurring Secretary-of-State annual report.
Reviewed by Slava Akulov, CEO & Co-Founder at Jupid · Last updated: July 2026
Need Registered Agent Service?
Required if no AL address
First Year Total
$236
No annual fee required in Alabama
Alabama has some of the lowest LLC maintenance costs. Great choice for budget-conscious business owners.
Important information for Alabama LLC owners
No recurring Secretary-of-State annual report
$0 Business Privilege Tax for most small LLCs (BPT ≤ $100 exempt, no return required)
Higher initial filing fee ($236)
Tax based on net worth
Important dates for Alabama LLC compliance
Annual Tax Due
April 15 (Business Privilege Tax)
Annual Report
April 15 each year
Processing Time
7-10 business days
Required forms for Alabama LLC compliance
Common questions about Alabama LLC taxes and fees
Forming an LLC in Alabama requires a $236 filing fee paid to the Alabama Secretary of State. Alabama LLCs file no recurring annual report with the Secretary of State. The state also has a Business Privilege Tax based on net worth, but the minimum was eliminated for tax years after Dec 31, 2023, so any BPT of $100 or less is exempt and most small LLCs owe $0 and file no BPT return.
| Fee Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (filing fee) | $236 | One-time |
| Annual Report | Not required | N/A |
| Business Privilege Tax | $0 for most small LLCs | Yearly |
| Registered Agent (optional, if using service) | $125/year | Yearly |
Your total first-year cost (filing fee + annual fee) is approximately $236. Ongoing costs are $0 per year in recurring fees for most small LLCs.
Maintaining your Alabama LLC in good standing requires meeting several compliance obligations.
Annual Report: Alabama LLCs do not file a recurring annual report with the Secretary of State. Compliance is handled through the Department of Revenue (Business Privilege Tax), not a separate Secretary-of-State annual report.
Registered Agent: Every Alabama LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. The registered agent receives legal and tax documents on behalf of the LLC. You can serve as your own registered agent or hire a professional service (typically $125/year).
Operating Agreement: While Alabama does not legally require an operating agreement, having one is strongly recommended. It defines ownership structure, member roles, profit-sharing, and management procedures for your LLC.
EIN (Employer Identification Number): All LLCs with more than one member, or that have employees, need an EIN from the IRS. Single-member LLCs without employees can use their Social Security number but obtaining an EIN is still recommended for banking and tax purposes. Applying is free through the IRS website.
Alabama LLCs are classified as pass-through entities for federal tax purposes. A single-member LLC is treated as a disregarded entity (reported on Schedule C of the owner's personal return), while a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership (filing Form 1065 with K-1s issued to each member).
Alabama taxes LLC income at rates ranging from 2% to 5% on income passed through to members. Alabama also has a Business Privilege Tax based on net worth, but the minimum was eliminated for tax years after Dec 31, 2023 — any BPT of $100 or less is exempt, so most small LLCs owe $0 and file no BPT return. Only LLCs with sufficient net worth to generate a BPT above $100 owe and file.
S-Corp Election: Alabama LLCs can elect S-Corp tax status by filing IRS Form 2553. This can reduce self-employment taxes for profitable LLCs by splitting income between a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes) and distributions (not subject to SE tax). This election is typically beneficial when your LLC consistently earns over $40,000-$50,000 in annual profit.
Business filings
Tax information
Fees are subject to change. This calculator provides estimates based on current Alabama law. Consult with a tax professional or attorney for advice specific to your situation. Fee information accurate as of January 12, 2026.