Author name: Freelancer Tax HQ Editorial Team

Form a Texas LLC in 2026: file Form 205 for $300, name a registered agent, get an EIN and file the yearly Public Information Report. Most owe $0 franchise tax.

Every LLC needs a registered agent. Learn what the agent does, whether you can be your own, what services cost in 2026, and what happens if you don’t keep one.

The cheapest states to form and keep an LLC in 2026, ranked by five-year cost, plus why forming out of state usually costs a freelancer more, not less.

How a single-member LLC is taxed in 2026: disregarded entity rules, Schedule C, self-employment tax, QBI, state fees and when an S-corp election fits.

How S-corp owners set a reasonable salary the IRS accepts: the factors courts use, three pricing methods, the 60/40 myth and a 2026 worked example.

How to file Form 2553 for S-corp status: the 2 months and 15 days deadline, signatures, fax and mail addresses, and late relief under Rev. Proc. 2013-30.

Compare DIY filing, Northwest, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Bizee and Tailor Brands for forming an LLC in 2026: prices, registered agent renewals and who each suits.

LLC filing fees range from $35 to $500 depending on the state. See all 50 states plus DC with formation and annual report fees, and the real five-year cost.

The 9 steps to form an LLC as a freelancer in 2026: pick a state and name, file articles, get an EIN, open a bank account, and stay compliant each year.

Compare self-employment tax as an LLC with S-corp payroll taxes in 2026. See the break-even profit, worked examples and a free LLC vs S-corp savings calculator.