North Carolina Secretary of State
How Much Does a Corporation Cost in North Carolina?
Forming a corporation in North Carolina means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the North Carolina Secretary 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 — North Carolina Corporation
$125
First-year government fees for a North Carolina Corporation: $125
Official state fees
Ongoing fixed fees
≈ $225/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.
Five-year outlook
Varies by business — excluded from totals
- Franchise tax above the minimum. $1.50 per $1,000 of the corporation's net-worth (or alternative) base when that exceeds the $200 minimum.
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 North Carolina, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.
| Fee | Amount | Schedule | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Incorporation filing fee | $125 | One-time | Official state fee |
† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.
| Fee | Amount | Schedule | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual report fee | $25 | AnnualDue with the corporate tax return each year, beginning the year after incorporation | Official state fee |
| Franchise tax (minimum) $200 minimum applies even to inactive or asset-less corporations; larger corporations pay $1.50 per $1,000 of their net-worth base. | $200 | AnnualPaid annually with the corporate income tax return | Official state fee |
| Franchise tax above the minimum $1.50 per $1,000 of the corporation's net-worth (or alternative) base when that exceeds the $200 minimum. | Varies | Variable | Official state fee |
† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.
Filing process & processing times
File online through the Secretary of State's portal or by mail.
| Option | Typical turnaround | Added fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | 3–10 business days | None | Online filings are generally processed within about a week |
Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.
Registered agent costs
Every North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- North Carolina flips the usual pattern: the LLC annual report ($200) costs far more than the corporation's ($25) — but corporations owe a $200 minimum franchise tax on top, so ongoing costs converge.
North Carolina Corporation cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start a corporation in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Secretary of State charges $125 to file the Articles 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina corporations generally must pay the annual report fee of $25 per year (due with the corporate tax return each year, beginning the year after incorporation) and the franchise tax (minimum) of $200 per year (paid annually with the corporate income tax return). In addition, franchise tax above the minimum 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 North Carolina?
Standard processing generally takes about 3–10 business days. North Carolina does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. 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 North Carolina?
Yes. Every North Carolina 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 North Carolina franchise tax above the minimum work for corporations?
$1.50 per $1,000 of the corporation's net-worth (or alternative) base when that exceeds the $200 minimum. 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 North Carolina — 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 North Carolina Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.
Sources
North Carolina data last verified July 12, 2026.
- Business Registration — Forms and Fees— North Carolina Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- Business Registration — Annual Report— North Carolina Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
- Franchise Tax — Corporate Income & Franchise Tax— North Carolina Department of RevenueOfficialaccessed 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
- North Carolina LLC costs →
- Compare North Carolina 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: North Carolina Secretary of State →