Form Your South Dakota LLC
State filing fee: $150 • Processing: 3-5 business days
Form Your South Dakota LLC for Tax-Advantaged Business Operations
South Dakota offers excellent LLC formation benefits with no state income tax, no corporate income tax, and quick processing times. Known for business-friendly policies and trust laws, South Dakota is increasingly popular for holding companies and asset protection strategies.
Compare Top 5 LLC Formation Services
| Service | Price | Processing Time | Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
ZenBusiness Best Overall Value | $0 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 1 day | $199/yr |
Bizee Fastest Formation | $0 + state fees | 3 weeks Expedited: 1 day | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr |
Inc Authority Free Formation | $0 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 2 days | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr |
LegalZoom Best for Legal Support | $0 + state fees | 5-14 days Expedited: 1 day | $249/yr |
Rocket Lawyer Legal Documents | $99.99 + state fees | 5-7 days Expedited: Not available | $149/yr |
Top 3 Recommended Services for South Dakota
ZenBusiness
Entrepreneurs who want comprehensive support and compliance tools at an affordable price
ZenBusiness stands out as our top pick for LLC formation services thanks to its unbeatable combination of value, features, and support. With formation starting at $0 plus state fees, you can rest easy with their worry-free compliance service, award-winning customer support, and 100% accuracy guarantee. The Pro and Premium packages add even more value with 1-day processing, an employer ID number, operating agreement, and services to get your business online like domain name registration, AI business website builder, and more.
Pros:
- ✓ Starter package is $0 plus state fees
- ✓ Registered agent and compliance services
- ✓ Free worry-free compliance for 1 year
- ✓ Fast 1-day processing time available
- ✓ 100% accuracy guarantee
- ✓ Award-winning customer support
Cons:
- ✗ Some features require upgraded plans
- ✗ More expensive Registered Agent service
Bizee
Budget-conscious startups needing fast formation
Bizee (formerly Incfile) offers lightning-fast LLC formation with their $0 package. They're perfect for entrepreneurs who need to form their LLC quickly and affordably. With same-day processing in many states and a year of free registered agent service, Bizee provides exceptional value for basic LLC formation needs.
Pros:
- ✓ $0 basic formation package
- ✓ Same-day processing available
- ✓ Free registered agent for first year
- ✓ Compliance alerts included
- ✓ Dashboard for document management
- ✓ Free business tools and templates
Cons:
- ✗ Operating agreement not included in basic package
- ✗ Limited customer support hours
Tailor Brands
Creative businesses wanting formation plus branding
Tailor Brands combines LLC formation with comprehensive branding tools. Their unique approach includes AI-powered logo design, website creation, and marketing materials. Perfect for creative entrepreneurs who want to establish their brand identity alongside their legal structure.
Pros:
- ✓ Includes logo design and branding
- ✓ Website builder included
- ✓ Business card designs
- ✓ Mobile app available
- ✓ Operating agreement included
- ✓ EIN service included
Cons:
- ✗ No rush processing available
- ✗ Monthly subscription required
- ✗ Customer service via chat/email only
South Dakota LLC Formation Costs
South Dakota LLC Cost Breakdown
Additional Costs to Consider:
- • Formation service fees: $0 - $299 (depending on provider)
- • Registered agent service: $99 - $299/year
- • EIN from IRS: Free (or $99+ if using a service)
Frequently Asked Questions
- State filing fee: $150
- Annual report fee: $50 (due by the first day of birth month)
- No franchise tax or corporate income tax
- Registered agent: Required (typically $99-$299/year)
- No state income tax on individuals or businesses
- No corporate income tax
- No personal property tax on business inventory
- No inheritance tax
- Very low sales tax (state portion only 4.2%)
- Standard processing: 3-5 business days
- Online filing system available
- Same-day processing available for additional fee
- Electronic document delivery
- Annual report: $50 fee, due by the first day of the anniversary month
- Registered agent: Must maintain continuously
- Basic company information updates required
- No state tax returns required for LLCs
- Strong trust laws and privacy protections
- No state income tax reduces ongoing costs
- Stable political and legal environment
- Growing financial services sector
- Favorable business formation laws
- Must have a physical South Dakota address (no P.O. Boxes)
- Must be available during regular business hours
- Can be yourself if you have a South Dakota address
- Can be any person, corporation, or LLC
- Professional services typically cost $99-$299 annually
- Clear member ownership structure and responsibilities
- Management procedures and decision-making authority
- Profit sharing and operational guidelines
- Liability protection by establishing LLC separateness
- Customized governance beyond default state laws
Ready to Start Your South Dakota LLC?
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Start Your LLC Today →Formation starting at $0 + state fees