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No state income tax — form your LLC in South Dakota

Form an LLC in South Dakota

Form your LLC in South Dakota with QuickBiz for $300 ($150 + $150 state fee). South Dakota has no state income tax, which means more of your revenue stays with you. South Dakota supports online filing, which helps speed up the process. Processing typically takes 5-7 business days. Annual compliance includes a annual report ($50).

Total cost

$300 ($150 + $150 state fee)

State filing fee

$150

Processing time

5-7 business days

Annual cost

$50/year (annual report)

Why form in South Dakota

  • No state income tax — keep more of your revenue
  • Reasonable filing fee — $150
  • Online filing available — faster processing
  • Low annual report fee — $50/year
  • No publication requirement — saves time and money
  • Operating agreement not legally required (but we include one)

Things to consider

  • If you live out of state, you may also need to register as a foreign LLC in your home state

Best for

South Dakota is a solid choice for software founders who live in-state or want a no-income-tax state with low fees. If you don't live in South Dakota, consider Wyoming for its combination of low fees and strong privacy protections.

How to form an LLC in South Dakota with QuickBiz

  1. 1Choose your LLC name and verify availability with the state
  2. 2Provide your business details and founder information (5 minutes)
  3. 3We file your formation documents with the state
  4. 4We apply for your EIN with the IRS (free)
  5. 5Receive your formation documents and operating agreement
  6. 6Access your compliance dashboard and post-formation checklist

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to form an LLC in South Dakota?

With QuickBiz, South Dakota LLC formation costs $300 ($150 + $150 state fee). This includes everything: state filing, EIN application, registered agent (year 1 free), operating agreement for software businesses, and compliance dashboard. The $150 state fee is set by South Dakota's Secretary of State.

How long does South Dakota LLC formation take?

South Dakota LLC formation typically takes 5-7 business days for standard processing. Expedited processing (Same day) is available for $50 extra. The QuickBiz signup process takes about 5 minutes — we handle everything after that.

Does South Dakota have state income tax?

No, South Dakota has no state income tax. This is a significant advantage for software founders — your LLC's income is only subject to federal taxes (and self-employment tax). This makes South Dakota a popular choice for LLC formation.

What are the annual requirements for a South Dakota LLC?

South Dakota requires a annual report with a fee of $50. QuickBiz tracks these deadlines and reminds you when filings are due.

Is South Dakota a good state for a software business LLC?

South Dakota is a solid choice for software founders who live in-state or want a no-income-tax state with low fees. If you don't live in South Dakota, consider Wyoming for its combination of low fees and strong privacy protections.

Ready to form your South Dakota LLC?

$300 ($150 + $150 state fee). Everything included. Takes about 5 minutes.

Get started