New York Department of State
How Much Does a Corporation Cost in New York?
Forming a corporation in New York means filing the Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.
An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.
First-year government fees — New York Corporation
$135
First-year government fees for a New York Corporation: $135
Official state fees
Ongoing fixed fees
≈ $4.50/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.
Five-year outlook
Varies by business — excluded from totals
- Corporation franchise tax (fixed-dollar minimum applies). New York corporations owe franchise tax computed on the highest of several bases, with a fixed-dollar minimum starting at $25 and scaling with New York receipts.
Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.
The numbers behind this page
Every figure comes from the typed data record for New York, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.
| Fee | Amount | Schedule | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Incorporation filing fee | $125 | One-time | Official state fee |
| Organization tax on authorized shares (minimum) Minimum for up to 200 no-par shares; the tax scales with authorized shares and par value. | $10 | One-time | Official state fee |
† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.
| Fee | Amount | Schedule | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biennial statement fee | $9 | Every 2 yearsDue every two years in the anniversary month of formation | Official state fee |
| Corporation franchise tax (fixed-dollar minimum applies) New York corporations owe franchise tax computed on the highest of several bases, with a fixed-dollar minimum starting at $25 and scaling with New York receipts. | Varies | VariableFiled annually with the corporation franchise tax return | Official state fee |
† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.
Filing process & processing times
File online, by mail, or by fax with the Department of State. Corporations have no publication requirement.
| Option | Typical turnaround | Added fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | 5–15 business days | None | Online filings are processed faster; the Department posts current times |
| 24-hour expedited handling | 1–1 business days | $25 | |
| Same-day expedited handling | 0–1 business days | $75 | |
| 2-hour expedited handling | Same day | $150 |
Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.
Registered agent costs
Every New York Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.
Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.
Worth knowing about New York
- New York's LLC publication requirement is the single most expensive formation add-on in the country — often exceeding $1,000 in New York City — while corporations are exempt from it entirely.
- The Department of State's $9 biennial statement is trivially cheap; the real recurring costs are tax-based and depend on income.
New York Corporation cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start a corporation in New York?
The New York Department of State charges $135 to file the Certificate of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.
What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in New York?
New York corporations generally must pay the biennial statement fee of $9 every two years (due every two years in the anniversary month of formation). In addition, corporation franchise tax (fixed-dollar minimum applies) may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.
How long does it take to form a corporation in New York?
Standard processing generally takes about 5–15 business days. Expedited options are available: 24-hour expedited handling for $25, same-day expedited handling for $75, and 2-hour expedited handling for $150. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.
Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in New York?
Yes. Every New York corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.
How does the New York corporation franchise tax work for corporations?
New York corporations owe franchise tax computed on the highest of several bases, with a fixed-dollar minimum starting at $25 and scaling with New York receipts. Filed annually with the corporation franchise tax return. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.
What this page doesn't cover
- Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
- Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
- Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
- Whether a corporation — or New York — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.
Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the New York Department of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.
Sources
New York data last verified July 12, 2026.
- Forming a Limited Liability Company in New York— New York Department of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- Corporation tax and LLC/LLP filing fee information— New York Department of Taxation and FinanceOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- Biennial Statements for Business Corporations and LLCs— New York Department of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
- How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026
Keep going
- New York LLC costs →
- Compare New York with other states →
- What a Registered Agent Actually Does (and Being Your Own) →
- Annual Compliance Checklist by Entity Type →
- How to Choose Your Formation State (Delaware Isn't a Default) →
- LLC vs. S Corporation Election: The Basics →
- Official source: New York Department of State →