How to Start an LLC in New Mexico (2026)

Q: How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Mexico?

The Articles of Organization cost $50 for a domestic LLC, and the fee is non-refundable. Your EIN is free from the IRS. New Mexico LLCs have historically had no recurring Secretary of State report fee, which makes the state one of the cheapest in the country to maintain an entity in.

Q: Does a New Mexico LLC file an annual report?

Historically no. New Mexico corporations file a biennial report, but LLCs have not owed a recurring report to the Secretary of State, which is unusual among the states. New Mexico has considered adopting the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, which would introduce a periodic report, and sources disagree on its current status. Confirm with the Business Services Division on 505-827-3600 when you form.

Q: What is the New Mexico gross receipts tax?

It is New Mexico's tax on business receipts, which functions differently from a conventional sales tax and reaches many services as well as goods. Most businesses register with the Taxation and Revenue Department and file gross receipts tax returns. It is separate from your Secretary of State filing and matters far more to your budget than the $50 formation fee.

Q: Can I file a New Mexico LLC on paper?

New Mexico has moved business filings to an online process through the New Mexico Business Portal, so the portal is the normal route for formation and for updating your records. If you have a specific reason you cannot file online, contact the Business Services Division to ask what alternatives exist.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

To start a New Mexico LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the New Mexico Secretary of State for $50, name a registered agent with a New Mexico address, and get a free EIN. New Mexico LLCs have historically had no annual or biennial report with the Secretary of State, which is unusual: corporations there do file a biennial report. Confirm your current obligation before you rely on that.

Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice. New Mexico has considered adopting the Revised Uniform LLC Act, which would add a periodic report, so verify current requirements rather than assuming.

New Mexico is one of the cheapest states in the country to form in and, historically, the lightest to maintain, because LLCs have not owed a recurring report to the Secretary of State. Here is the whole process in plain English, plus an honest note on what to double check.

Verify the report position before you rely on it New Mexico LLCs have long been an outlier with no recurring Secretary of State report, while New Mexico corporations do file a biennial report. New Mexico has also considered adopting the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, which introduces a periodic report for LLCs, and different sources disagree about whether that is now in force. Rather than guess, call the Business Services Division on 505-827-3600 or check sos.nm.gov when you form. Two minutes of checking beats an administrative dissolution.

How to start a New Mexico LLC in 6 steps

Name it, appoint a New Mexico registered agent, file the Articles ($50), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then confirm your ongoing filing position with the state.

Name your New Mexico LLC

The name must be distinguishable from other New Mexico entities and include an LLC designator. Search it in the New Mexico business search before you file, and grab the matching domain while you are there.

Appoint a New Mexico registered agent

You need a registered agent with a New Mexico street address who has accepted the appointment. 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 Articles of Organization

File through the New Mexico Business Portal. The application fee for a domestic LLC is $50, and it is non-refundable. New Mexico has moved all business filings to an online process, so the portal is where everything happens.

Write an operating agreement

New Mexico 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. It matters more here because there is little recurring public filing to record who runs the company.

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. You will also register with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for gross receipts tax.

Confirm your ongoing filing position

This is the New Mexico-specific step. LLCs here have historically owed no annual or biennial report to the Secretary of State, while corporations do. Because the state has considered a periodic report for LLCs under the Revised Uniform LLC Act, confirm with the Business Services Division (505-827-3600) when you form, and keep your registered agent details current either way.

New Mexico LLC cost breakdown

$50 to form and, historically, no recurring Secretary of State report. Verify the current position when you file.

Item	Cost	Required?
Articles of Organization	$50 (non-refundable)	Yes
EIN	Free from the IRS	Yes (free)
Registered agent service	$0 (yourself) to $300/yr	No
Secretary of State annual report	Historically none for LLCs	Confirm with the state
Gross receipts tax registration	Separate, via Taxation and Revenue	Yes for most businesses

New Mexico figures as of August 2026, from the Secretary of State business services pages and the New Mexico Business Portal. Reporting requirements for LLCs have been the subject of proposed legislation, so confirm the current position with the Business Services Division on 505-827-3600 before relying on it.

Rather have it filed for you? Northwest will form your New Mexico LLC for $39 + the $50 state fee and act as your registered agent the first year, keeping your home address off the public record. See the $39 formation service → Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Setting up to run courier routes in New Mexico?

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 Mexico clinics, labs, and hospitals.

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New Mexico LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in New Mexico?

The Articles cost $50, non-refundable, and your EIN is free. Historically there has been no recurring Secretary of State report fee for LLCs.

Does a New Mexico LLC file an annual report?

Historically no, unlike New Mexico corporations which file a biennial report. Because a periodic report has been proposed, confirm the current position with Business Services on 505-827-3600.

What is the New Mexico gross receipts tax?

It is New Mexico's tax on business receipts, reaching many services as well as goods. Most businesses register with Taxation and Revenue and file GRT returns.

Can I file a New Mexico LLC on paper?

New Mexico has moved business filings online through the Business Portal. Contact Business Services if you cannot file online.

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