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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Vermont, you file Articles of Organization online with the

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<v Dan>Vermont Secretary of State, and the fee is $155.

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<v Maya>Is there an extra charge for filing online?

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<v Dan>No. It's $155 online, with no added fee.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Vermont for 2026: six steps, every fee, and the three best ways to have it

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<v Maya>filed for you. Where do we start?

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<v Dan>Your name has to include limited liability company, limited company, or an

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<v Dan>abbreviation like LLC or LC.

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<v Maya>And it can't match another business?

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<v Dan>It has to be distinguishable in the Secretary of State's records.

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<v Dan>Use the state's free business search first.

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<v Maya>Any advice on signs and websites?

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<v Dan>The state advises waiting. Hold off on signs or a website until your name is

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<v Dan>confirmed.

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<v Maya>Can I lock the name?

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<v Dan>You can reserve it for 120 days for $25.

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<v Maya>Who can serve as our agent in Vermont?

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<v Dan>A Vermont resident, or a business that's registered and active in Vermont.

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<v Maya>Is there a catch?

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<v Dan>The only qualification is a street address and a mailing address in Vermont.

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<v Maya>Can my LLC be its own agent?

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<v Dan>No, the LLC can't be its own agent.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to be here, Maya. The agent's address is public, so many owners use a

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<v Dan>commercial agent. And changing agents later costs $35.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State's Online Business Service Center.

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<v Dan>The fee is $155.

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<v Maya>How fast is it?

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<v Dan>Online filing normally takes less than one business day.

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<v Maya>And by mail?

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<v Dan>Seven to ten business days.

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<v Maya>So the online route saves a week or more.

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<v Dan>That's right, and it costs the same.

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<v Maya>Does Vermont ask for an operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. It stays with your records, it isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

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<v Maya>Why have one, then?

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<v Dan>Because it answers the hard questions in advance.

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>In writing.

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<v Dan>In writing.

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<v Maya>Federal side next.

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<v Dan>Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your

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<v Dan>Articles. If it's approved online, the number comes right away.

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<v Maya>Does Vermont have its own tax angle?

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<v Dan>Yes. If your LLC files its own business return, Vermont's business entity income tax

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<v Dan>has a $250 minimum.

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<v Maya>Does every LLC file that?

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<v Dan>No. A single-member LLC taxed as a disregarded entity doesn't file that return.

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<v Maya>And the ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Vermont want after I form?

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<v Dan>An annual report, within three months after your fiscal year ends.

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<v Dan>For a calendar year, that's by March 31.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>$45, filed online.

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<v Maya>And if I'm late?

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<v Dan>There's no late fee. But if you never file, the LLC loses its good standing and is

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<v Dan>terminated.

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<v Maya>Can I recover it?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement is $35, plus the $45 report for each missed year.

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<v Maya>Do-it-yourself total?

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<v Dan>$155 to form the LLC. Then $45 a year for the annual report.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>First two years?

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<v Dan>$200, with your first report.

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<v Maya>And the optional extras?

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<v Dan>A name reservation is $25, and a change of agent is $35.

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<v Maya>The report is due three months after the fiscal year ends.

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<v Maya>Whose fiscal year?

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<v Dan>The one on record for your LLC.

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<v Dan>The state's rule is based on that.

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<v Maya>So a calendar-year LLC?

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<v Dan>Its report is due March 31.

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<v Maya>And if the fiscal year is different?

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<v Dan>Then count three months from that year-end instead.

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<v Dan>Check your due date on the state's site.

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<v Maya>Let me go back to that $250. Who does it hit?

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<v Dan>An LLC that files its own business return.

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<v Dan>Vermont calls it the business entity income tax, and the form is BI-471.

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<v Maya>And who's exempt?

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<v Dan>A single-member LLC taxed as a disregarded entity doesn't file that return.

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<v Maya>So a solo founder may never see it.

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<v Dan>Right. But a multi-member LLC should ask a tax professional, since it's general

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<v Dan>information here, not tax advice.

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<v Maya>Who would you pick as an agent?

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<v Dan>Someone with a Vermont street address and a Vermont mailing address, who'll be there

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<v Dan>for years.

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<v Maya>What if that's me?

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<v Dan>If you live in Vermont, you can do it.

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<v Dan>But the agent's address is public.

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<v Maya>And if I move?

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<v Dan>You'd file a change, which is $35.

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<v Dan>A commercial agent saves you that worry.

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<v Maya>The no-late-fee rule sounds friendly.

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<v Maya>What's the downside?

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<v Dan>Vermont doesn't charge a penalty.

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<v Dan>It ends the LLC's good standing instead.

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<v Maya>And then?

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<v Dan>The LLC is terminated. To reinstate, it's $35, plus $45 for every

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<v Dan>year of reports you missed.

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<v Maya>So two missed years would be?

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<v Dan>$35 plus $90, which is $125.

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<v Maya>Versus filing on time.

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<v Dan>$45 a year. So filing on time is far cheaper.

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<v Maya>Compare filing channels one more time.

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<v Dan>Online: $155, no extra online fee, and normally less than one business day.

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<v Maya>Mail?

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<v Dan>The same fee, but seven to ten business days.

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<v Maya>Why would anyone mail it?

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<v Dan>Some people prefer paper. But online is faster at no extra cost.

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<v Maya>Order of operations?

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<v Dan>Search the name, and wait on signs or a website until it's confirmed.

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<v Dan>Choose your agent. File the Articles online for $155.

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<v Maya>Then?

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<v Dan>Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and mark your report deadline for the

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<v Dan>$45 filing.

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<v Maya>What if I want it handled for me?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Vermont.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the

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<v Dan>state fee. With the $155 state fee, checkout comes to $354.

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<v Maya>What's covered?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>What about the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it within three months after your fiscal year ends.

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<v Dan>You pay only the state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>VT Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $354 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And three?

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<v Dan>Vermont Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I pick?

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<v Dan>If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $45 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Three-year view?

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 for each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, so $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, that gap pays for your annual report to be filed for you.

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<v Maya>Can you recap?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent with a Vermont address, file

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<v Dan>the Articles online for $155, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN,

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<v Dan>and file your $45 annual report within three months after your fiscal year ends.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Vermont LLC.