Question 1

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

The filing fee for Articles of Organization is $155.00. The Secretary of State says there is no extra fee for online filing.

Question 2

How do you form an LLC in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Choose your business type and file Articles of Organization through the Secretary of State's Online Business Service Center (bizfilings.vermont.gov). Most filings can be submitted online; paper forms are not posted online but are available by request.

Question 3

What are the LLC name requirements in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Except for a low-profit LLC, the name must contain "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C.," or "LC"; "limited" may be abbreviated "Ltd." and "company" "Co." A name may be reserved for the applicant's exclusive use for 120 days; the fee for an application for reserved name is $25.00.

Question 4

Do you need a registered agent for an LLC in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

An LLC must continuously maintain a designated office (which need not be in Vermont) and an agent for service of process. The agent must be an individual Vermont resident or a business organization that has a place of business in, and is authorized to do business in, Vermont; designating an agent attests that the agent consents. A statement of change of designated agent or office costs $35.00.

Question 5

Does an LLC have to file an annual report in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

LLCs renew their registration each fiscal year by filing an annual report within the first three months following the fiscal year end on record, online through the Online Business Service Center. The annual report fee is $45.00 for a domestic LLC and $170.00 for a foreign LLC. Keeping reports current is part of staying in good standing; reinstatement costs $35.00.

Question 6

Is an operating agreement required in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Vermont law defines an operating agreement as any form of description of membership rights and obligations, stored or depicted in any tangible or electronic medium, that the members agree to. No requirement to file it with the Secretary of State was found.

Question 7

How do you register a DBA in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

An LLC already registered with the Corporations Division may do business under an assumed business name (formerly called a trade name) by filing a registration with the Secretary of State, preferably online. The Secretary of State's fee schedule lists assumed business name registration at $70.00. An assumed name registration does not create a business entity.

Question 8

How do you get a sales tax permit in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Businesses register for a Vermont business tax account, including a sales tax license, with the Vermont Department of Taxes through myVTax. Out-of-state vendors must register and collect sales tax if they made at least $100,000 in sales or 200 individual transactions in Vermont during any preceding twelve-month period.

Question 9

How do you register a foreign LLC in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

An out-of-state LLC files an application for certificate of authority with the Secretary of State; the fee is $155.00.

Question 10

How do you dissolve an LLC in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

A domestic LLC files Articles of Termination; the fee is $20.00. A foreign LLC files a cancellation of certificate of authority; the fee is $25.00. Filings are made through the Online Business Service Center.

LLC filing fee	The filing fee for Articles of Organization is $155.00. The Secretary of State says there is no extra fee for online filing. Source: 11 V.S.A. § 4012(a)(1); Vermont Secretary of State, Fees & Statutes
How to file	Choose your business type and file Articles of Organization through the Secretary of State's Online Business Service Center (bizfilings.vermont.gov). Most filings can be submitted online; paper forms are not posted online but are available by request. The pages reviewed did not state a processing time. Source: Vermont Secretary of State, Start a Vermont Business; Business Filings
Name rules and reservation	Except for a low-profit LLC, the name must contain "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C.," or "LC"; "limited" may be abbreviated "Ltd." and "company" "Co." A name may be reserved for the applicant's exclusive use for 120 days; the fee for an application for reserved name is $25.00. Source: 11 V.S.A. §§ 4005(a)(1), 1652(a), 4012(a)(5)
Registered agent	An LLC must continuously maintain a designated office (which need not be in Vermont) and an agent for service of process. The agent must be an individual Vermont resident or a business organization that has a place of business in, and is authorized to do business in, Vermont; designating an agent attests that the agent consents. A statement of change of designated agent or office costs $35.00. Source: 11 V.S.A. §§ 4007, 1655, 4012(a)(9)
Operating agreement	Vermont law defines an operating agreement as any form of description of membership rights and obligations, stored or depicted in any tangible or electronic medium, that the members agree to. No requirement to file it with the Secretary of State was found. Source: 11 V.S.A. § 4001(20)

Annual report	LLCs renew their registration each fiscal year by filing an annual report within the first three months following the fiscal year end on record, online through the Online Business Service Center. The annual report fee is $45.00 for a domestic LLC and $170.00 for a foreign LLC. Keeping reports current is part of staying in good standing; reinstatement costs $35.00. Source: Vermont Secretary of State, Annual/Biennial Reports; 11 V.S.A. § 4012(a)(15)-(17)
Sales tax permit	Businesses register for a Vermont business tax account, including a sales tax license, with the Vermont Department of Taxes through myVTax. Out-of-state vendors must register and collect sales tax if they made at least $100,000 in sales or 200 individual transactions in Vermont during any preceding twelve-month period. The page reviewed does not state a license fee. Source: Vermont Department of Taxes, Sales and Use Tax
DBA / assumed name	An LLC already registered with the Corporations Division may do business under an assumed business name (formerly called a trade name) by filing a registration with the Secretary of State, preferably online. The Secretary of State's fee schedule lists assumed business name registration at $70.00. An assumed name registration does not create a business entity. The fee schedule lists the $70.00 registration under the Assumed Business Name chapter; confirm the fee that applies to an LLC's assumed name in the Online Business Service Center. Source: 11 V.S.A. § 1653; Vermont Secretary of State, Assumed Names; Fees & Statutes

Registering an out-of-state LLC	An out-of-state LLC files an application for certificate of authority with the Secretary of State; the fee is $155.00. Source: 11 V.S.A. § 4012(a)(2); Vermont Secretary of State, Fees & Statutes
Closing an LLC	A domestic LLC files Articles of Termination; the fee is $20.00. A foreign LLC files a cancellation of certificate of authority; the fee is $25.00. Filings are made through the Online Business Service Center. Source: 11 V.S.A. § 4012(a)(4), (20); Vermont Secretary of State, Fees & Statutes

How to Start an LLC in Vermont: Fees, Filings and Annual Requirements

Quick answers for Vermont

Forming the LLC

Keeping the LLC in good standing

Out-of-state LLCs and closing

Where to get help in Vermont

Starting an LLC & Small Business FAQ

More Vermont law