Establish Your Pennsylvania LLC in the Keystone State

Pennsylvania LLC Formation Costs

Pennsylvania LLC formation costs:

• State filing fee: $125
• Decennial report: $70 (every 10 years)
• No annual report required
• Registered agent: Required (typically $99-$299/year)

Pennsylvania’s unique 10-year reporting cycle means very low ongoing costs. Most years you only pay for your registered agent service.

Ongoing Compliance Requirements

Pennsylvania requires a report only every 10 years (decennial), not annually. The $70 decennial report is due in years ending in “1” (2021, 2031, etc.) regardless of when you formed your LLC. This unique requirement makes Pennsylvania one of the lowest-maintenance states between filing years.

Formation Timeline

Pennsylvania processing times:

• Standard online filing: 7-10 business days
• Paper filing: 15-20 business days
• Expedited service: Not officially offered

Pennsylvania doesn’t offer expedited processing, so plan accordingly if you need quick formation. Online filing through the PA Department of State is faster than paper filing.

Business Climate and Advantages

Pennsylvania offers strategic East Coast location advantages with access to major markets in New York, Washington DC, and throughout the Northeast corridor. The state maintains no franchise tax for LLCs and most LLCs avoid corporate taxes as pass-through entities. Pennsylvania’s unique 10-year reporting cycle creates one of the lowest ongoing compliance burdens nationally. The diverse economy spans traditional manufacturing, emerging life sciences, and growing technology sectors.

Key Industry Sectors

Pennsylvania’s economy centers around distinct regional strengths. Philadelphia serves as a major life sciences and pharmaceutical hub with extensive healthcare systems and access to NYC and DC markets. Pittsburgh has emerged as a robotics and AI center, leveraging Carnegie Mellon University’s tech talent in a lower-cost environment with a growing startup ecosystem. The state’s manufacturing base remains strong throughout the region, while financial services and logistics companies benefit from the strategic East Coast location.

Registered Agent Requirements

Pennsylvania requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a Pennsylvania street address. The agent must be available during business hours to receive legal documents and official correspondence. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Pennsylvania address, but professional services provide reliability and privacy protection.

While Pennsylvania doesn’t legally require an operating agreement, it’s strongly recommended for establishing proper business structure and liability protection.