Start a Business in Texas
Written by Deanna R. Ngueket, CPA. Reviewed September 2026. This page is general information, not tax advice for your situation.
Filing a certificate of formation is the easy part. What is hard is the set of decisions around it — which entity, whether to elect S-corporation status and when, how to pay yourself, and what Texas expects from you every year afterwards. We help you make those decisions before you file, so the entity is built for the way you will actually operate.
Formation is quoted as a flat fee in writing, plus the state filing fee. Once the entity exists, the business estimator prices the first year — accounting system setup, monthly bookkeeping, payroll if you elect S-corporation status, and the business return.
What this service covers
- Entity selection — sole proprietor, single-member LLC, multi-member LLC, or corporation, chosen against your income, liability, and growth plans
- Texas LLC formation — certificate of formation with the Secretary of State, registered agent guidance, and an operating agreement
- Federal EIN obtained directly from the IRS at no cost
- S-corporation election (Form 2553) — the calculation of whether it saves you money, and filing it on time if it does
- Texas registrations — franchise tax account, and sales tax permit or Texas Workforce Commission registration where they apply
- Accounting system setup — QuickBooks Online, a chart of accounts built around your tax return, and separate business banking from day one
- First-year compliance calendar — every federal and Texas deadline for your entity, with what is due and when
What is included in every formation engagement
- A planning meeting before anything is filed, so entity type and the S-election decision are made on your numbers
- A written flat-fee quote and engagement letter, with the state filing fee shown separately
- Preparation and filing of the formation documents, the EIN application, and any elections
- A written compliance calendar for your first year, including the Texas franchise report due 15 May
- A handoff meeting that walks you through what you now own, what you owe, and how to pay yourself
- Answers to your questions for the first ninety days as things come up
Who this is for
- 1099 professionals ready to move from sole proprietor to LLC
- Consultants and digital business owners forming a Texas entity for the first time
- Owners whose existing LLC was formed quickly and never set up properly for tax
- Partners who need a multi-member LLC with an operating agreement that reflects the deal
- Anyone who has been told to “just elect S-corp” and wants the actual calculation first
How it works
- Free 15-minute consultation. We talk through what you do, what you expect to earn, and whether you will hire.
- Written quote. You receive a flat fee for the formation and an engagement letter. Nothing is filed until you approve it.
- Planning meeting. We choose the entity and decide on the S-election together, on your numbers.
- Filing. We prepare and file the certificate of formation, obtain the EIN, and file any elections and registrations.
- Handoff. You receive your documents, your compliance calendar, and, if you want it, a quote for bookkeeping and the first-year return.
What it costs
Formation is a flat fee quoted on the call, plus the Texas filing fee of $300. The ongoing costs — accounting system setup, monthly bookkeeping, payroll, and the business return — are priced instantly in the business estimator, so you can see the full first-year picture before you form the entity.
Business Pricing Estimator → Individual Pricing Estimator →
Staying a sole proprietor for now? The individual estimator prices a Schedule C return with bookkeeping included.
Talk it through
Book a free consultation, or call 713-730-9792.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas?
The state filing fee is $300. An EIN is free from the IRS — never pay a website for one. Our fee for the planning, the filing, and the first-year setup is quoted in writing on the call.
Should I elect S-corporation status right away?
Not automatically. It saves self-employment tax at some income levels and costs payroll administration at all of them. Form 2553 is generally due within two months and fifteen days of the start of the tax year you want it to apply to, so the decision has a deadline — but a late election can often be fixed.
Can I be my own registered agent?
You personally can serve, but the entity cannot serve as its own agent, and the address you list becomes public record. We will talk through the options.
My LLC has no revenue. Do I still file anything with Texas?
Yes. Even below the no-tax-due threshold, a Texas LLC must file an annual information report by 15 May. Missing it can cost the entity its right to do business in Texas. It is on the compliance calendar we give you.
Do I still have to file a beneficial ownership (BOI) report?
No, if you are a U.S. company owned by U.S. persons. FinCEN’s final rule removed that requirement. If you were told otherwise in 2024 or 2025, that guidance is out of date.
