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How do I register an LLC or corporation in Arizona, and what does it cost?

Short answer

You form an LLC or corporation online with the Arizona Corporation Commission; the state filing fee is modest (tens of dollars, more for expedited handling), and you need a statutory agent with an Arizona street address. Then get a free federal EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes if you sell taxable goods or hire, and check whether your city requires a business licence. Foreign owners can own an Arizona LLC.

The Corporation Commission’s eCorp system handles name availability, the articles of organisation for an LLC or articles of incorporation for a corporation, and later changes; filing fees are published there and are among the lowest in the country, with a surcharge for expedited processing. Every entity must name a statutory agent, a person or company with a physical Arizona address who accepts legal papers, and the agent must sign to accept. LLCs formed outside Maricopa and Pima counties must publish a notice in a newspaper; in those two counties the Commission publishes it for you [1]. Arizona LLCs file no annual report; corporations file one each year with a small fee.

After formation, apply to the IRS for an Employer Identification Number, which is free and immediate online for applicants with an SSN or ITIN and available by form otherwise; the bank will need it to open the business account [2]. If the business sells taxable goods or services, rents property or hires employees, register with the Department of Revenue for transaction privilege tax and withholding [3]. A trade name different from the entity name can be registered with the Secretary of State, and some professions need a separate board licence [4].

Ownership by non-US persons is allowed, though banks apply extra checks and some tax forms differ. The Arizona SBDC gives free one-on-one advice on choosing the structure and the registration sequence [5].

Checklist

  1. Name search and articles via eCorp; statutory agent with an Arizona address [1].

  2. Federal EIN from the IRS [2].

  3. TPT and withholding registration if applicable [3].

  4. City business licence and any professional licence; trade name if needed [4].

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Sources

Official and institutional sources this answer is based on. The numbers in the text point here.

    1.
    2.
    • Officialirs.gov
      IRS — Taxpayer Identification Numbers (SSN, ITIN, EIN) ↗

      Which identification number a person or company needs (SSN, ITIN for those not eligible for an SSN, EIN for businesses), how to apply and how long it takes — the prerequisite for tax filing and often for opening accounts.

      checked Sep 12, 2026

    3.
    • Officialazdor.gov
      Arizona Department of Revenue — Business ↗

      Business tax section: TPT licensing and rates by city, withholding registration, corporate income tax, and the AZTaxes.gov portal for filing and payments.

      checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually

    4.
    • Officialazsos.gov
      Arizona Secretary of State ↗

      Trade names (DBAs), trademarks, notaries, apostilles, voter registration and the state's business services not handled by the Corporation Commission.

      checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually

    5.
    • Officialazsbdc.net
      Arizona Small Business Development Center Network ↗

      Free advising for people starting or growing a small business in Arizona, hosted by the community colleges: business plans, financing, licensing steps and workshops.

      checked Sep 12, 2026 · verify manually

Reviewed: October 7, 2026. General information with sources, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change: check the linked sources and talk to a licensed professional about your own case.

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