“How much does it cost to start a business in Texas?” depends on entity type, whether you use a formation service, and how fast you scale payroll and tax accounts.
First-year cost buckets
| Category | Typical range |
|---|---|
| SOS formation filing | State fee schedule |
| Registered agent | $0–$300/year |
| Operating agreement / bylaws | $0–$1,500 if counsel drafts |
| EIN | $0 (IRS direct) |
| Franchise tax | $0+ depending on revenue |
| Banking / insurance | Varies widely |
Lean vs accelerated paths
Lean: file directly with SOS, serve as your own agent where allowed, use IRS EIN online, keep agreements simple.
Accelerated: formation vendor bundle, commercial agent, attorney-drafted docs, bookkeeping setup on day one.
Use a calculator before you commit
Model franchise tax and filing fees with our pricing tools and LLC cost article.