How to Start an LLC in New Hampshire (2026)
Last updated: August 28, 2026
Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice. New Hampshire charges a $50 late fee that cannot be waived, so April 1 is worth a calendar entry.
New Hampshire is a straightforward state with a single fixed annual deadline and a tax regime that suits small operators, since there is no sales tax and no tax on earned income. Here is the whole process in plain English, written for people starting something real like a courier route.
How to start a New Hampshire LLC in 6 steps
Name it, appoint a New Hampshire registered agent, file the Certificate of Formation ($100), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then file the annual report by April 1.
Name your New Hampshire LLC
The name must be distinguishable from other New Hampshire entities and include an LLC designator. Check availability through QuickStart, the Secretary of State online system, before you file.
Appoint a New Hampshire registered agent
You need a registered agent with a New Hampshire street address available during business hours. You can be your own if you live in the state, or use a service to keep your home address off the public record. Northwest includes agent service free the first year with their $39 filing.
File the Certificate of Formation
File with the New Hampshire Secretary of State through QuickStart. The total filing fee to register an LLC is $100, payable to the State of New Hampshire. Online filing is faster than paper and gives you a record immediately.
Write an operating agreement
New Hampshire does not require one, but write it anyway. It sets out ownership, management, and who can sign, it backs your liability protection, and banks usually ask for it at account opening. A simple template covers a single-owner courier business.
Get a free EIN from the IRS
Your EIN is free at irs.gov and takes about ten minutes. You need it for the business bank account, contracts, and hiring. Never pay a third-party site for one.
File the annual report by April 1
Every New Hampshire LLC files an annual report by April 1. A $50 late fee is assessed for reports and fees received after that date. Check the current report fee on the Secretary of State forms and fees page when you file, and add the small online handling charge if you file through QuickStart.
New Hampshire LLC cost breakdown
$100 to form and an annual report every April 1, with a $50 late fee if you miss the date.
| Item | Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation | $100 total | Yes |
| EIN | Free from the IRS | Yes (free) |
| Registered agent service | $0 (yourself) to $300/yr | No |
| Annual report (due April 1) | See the current SOS forms and fees page | Yes |
| Online handling charge (QuickStart) | Small charge added at checkout | If filing online |
| Late annual report | +$50 | If received after April 1 |
New Hampshire figures as of August 2026, from the Secretary of State LLC forms and fees and business FAQs. The state site blocks automated access, so confirm the current annual report amount on that page or by calling the Corporation Division before you file.
Setting up to run courier routes in New Hampshire?
The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest: insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with New Hampshire clinics, labs, and hospitals.
Start Your 7-Day Free TrialNew Hampshire LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Hampshire?
The total filing fee is $100 through QuickStart, and your EIN is free. There is also an annual report each April 1.
When is the New Hampshire annual report due?
April 1 every year, with a $50 late fee on reports and fees received after that date.
Does New Hampshire tax LLC income?
No sales tax and no tax on earned income. Larger businesses can owe the Business Profits Tax and Business Enterprise Tax above statutory thresholds.
What is QuickStart?
It is the New Hampshire Secretary of State online filing system for name checks, formation and annual reports. It adds a small handling charge at checkout.
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