Start Your Arizona LLC in the Grand Canyon State
Arizona offers a growing economy, business-friendly environment, and no franchise tax. With major growth in Phoenix and Tucson, plus proximity to California markets, Arizona provides excellent opportunities for businesses seeking lower costs and regulations. The state maintains no franchise tax while supporting growing tech and manufacturing sectors. Expedited same-day filing is available under business-friendly regulations that attract companies from neighboring states.
Compare Top 5 LLC Formation Services
| Feature | ZenBusiness Best Overall Value | Bizee Fastest Formation | Inc Authority Free Formation | LegalZoom Best for Legal Support | Rocket Lawyer Legal Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 + state fees | $0 + state fees | $0 + state fees | $0 + state fees | $99.99 + state fees |
| EIN Service | $99 | $70 | $70 | $159 | $99 |
| Operating Agreement | $99 | $99 | $50 | $99 | ✓ Free |
| Support | Phone, Chat, Email (Award-winning lifetime support) | Limited | Phone, Chat | Phone, Chat | Phone, Chat |
| Best For | Best Overall Value | Fastest Formation | Free Formation | Best for Legal Support | Legal Documents |
| Get Started | Get Started → | Get Started → | Get Started → | Get Started → | Get Started → |
Compare Arizona with Neighboring States
Arizona
💡 Pro Tip: While neighboring states may have different fees, consider other factors like business environment, tax policies, and where you'll actually operate when choosing your LLC formation state.
Arizona LLC Formation Costs
Arizona LLC formation costs:
- State filing fee: $50 (among the lowest nationally)
- Publication requirement: $100-$500 (varies by county)
- Annual report: No annual report required
- Registered agent: Required (typically $99-$299/year)
While the $50 filing fee is very low, the publication requirement adds cost. Total first-year expenses typically range from $150-$550 depending on your county.
Ongoing Compliance Requirements
Arizona requires new LLCs to publish a notice of formation in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks within 60 days of approval. After publication, you must file an affidavit with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Costs vary significantly:
- Maricopa County (Phoenix): $150-$300
- Pima County (Tucson): $200-$400
- Rural counties: $100-$200
The Commission provides a list of approved newspapers for each county.
Formation Timeline
Arizona offers flexible processing options:
- Standard filing: 15-20 business days
- Expedited filing: 7-10 business days for $35 additional
- Same-day expedited: Available for $135 additional fee
Arizona’s online filing system, eCorp, provides immediate confirmation and tracking.
Registered Agent Requirements
Arizona requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with an Arizona street address. The agent must be available during business hours to receive legal documents and official correspondence. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have an Arizona address, but professional services provide reliability and privacy protection.
Arizona doesn’t require annual reports for LLCs, making it one of the most low-maintenance states. You only need to maintain your registered agent, keep business address current, and file amendments for major changes.
Key Industry Sectors
Arizona attracts businesses with:
- Lower costs: Cheaper than California for operations and living
- Tax advantages: No franchise tax, competitive income tax rates
- Growing markets: Phoenix is 5th largest US city
- Tech growth: Major semiconductor and data center investments
- Proximity: Close to California, Mexico, and Southwest markets
- Climate: Year-round sunshine attracts workers and retirees
Many California businesses relocate to Arizona for these benefits while maintaining West Coast connections.
Business Climate and Advantages
Arizona attracts businesses with no franchise tax, competitive income tax rates, and business-friendly regulations. The state offers lower costs than California while maintaining proximity to West Coast markets. Phoenix is the 5th largest US city, providing growing markets and year-round sunshine that attracts workers and retirees. Major semiconductor and data center investments drive tech growth throughout the region.
Arizona uses a transaction privilege tax (TPT) instead of traditional sales tax, with rates from 5.6% to over 10% depending on location and business type.
Top 3 Recommended Services for Arizona
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness stands out as our top pick for LLC formation services thanks to its unbeatable combination of value, features, and support. Three packages available: Starter ($0 + state fees) includes free year of Worry-Free Compliance, Pro ($199/yr) adds 1-day rush processing and business documents, and Premium ($349 first year, $399 renewal) includes everything plus registered agent service and Money Pro bookkeeping trial. All packages include 100% accuracy guarantee, award-winning lifetime support, Velo AI assistant, and mobile app access.
Best For
Entrepreneurs who want comprehensive support and compliance tools at an affordable price
Pros
- ✓ Starter package is $0 plus state fees
- ✓ Free year of Worry-Free Compliance (Starter)
- ✓ Rush 1-day processing (Pro/Premium)
- ✓ Premium saves $199/yr on registered agent
- ✓ 100% accuracy & 60-day money-back guarantee
- ✓ Award-winning lifetime support included
- ✓ Velo AI assistant and mobile app
- ✓ Business advisor consultation (Premium)
Cons
- • Registered agent not included in Starter/Pro
- • Special offers auto-renew after trial period
Bizee
Bizee (formerly Incfile) offers lightning-fast LLC formation with their $0 package. They're perfect for entrepreneurs who need to form their LLC quickly and affordably. With same-day processing in many states and a year of free registered agent service, Bizee provides exceptional value for basic LLC formation needs.
Best For
Budget-conscious startups needing fast formation
Pros
- ✓ $0 basic formation package
- ✓ Same-day processing available
- ✓ Free registered agent for first year
- ✓ Compliance alerts included
- ✓ Dashboard for document management
- ✓ Free business tools and templates
Cons
- • Operating agreement not included in basic package
- • Limited customer support hours
Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands combines LLC formation with comprehensive branding tools. Their unique approach includes AI-powered logo design, website creation, and marketing materials. Perfect for creative entrepreneurs who want to establish their brand identity alongside their legal structure.
Best For
Creative businesses wanting formation plus branding
Pros
- ✓ Includes logo design and branding
- ✓ Website builder included
- ✓ Business card designs
- ✓ Mobile app available
- ✓ Operating agreement included
- ✓ EIN service included
Cons
- • No rush processing available
- • Monthly subscription required
- • Customer service via chat/email only