The cost to form an LLC for a Trenton business starts with the $125 New Jersey filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Trenton business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
New Jersey charges a $125 filing fee to form an LLC and a $75 annual report each year. New Jersey has seven income tax brackets with a top rate of 10.75% on income over $1 million. The state has no sales tax on groceries, clothing, or medications.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Filing Fee | $125 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $75 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Trenton Business License / Tax | Varies by industry | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
New Jersey does not levy a local business income tax, but the state requires an annual report for LLCs. Budget for the annual report fee and any Trenton business license on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Trenton is the capital of New Jersey, on the Delaware River across from Pennsylvania, with an economy anchored by state government, healthcare, and a manufacturing heritage captured by its old slogan, Trenton Makes, the World Takes.
| Local Metric | Trenton (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 90,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Mercer County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 95 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.49/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $200,000 |
| Median household income | $40,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.625% |
| Effective property tax rate | 3.89% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by New Jersey at $125, since LLCs are formed at the state level. Add the $75 annual report (each year), a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Trenton business license or tax. New Jersey does not levy a local business income tax, but the state requires an annual report for LLCs. Budget for the annual report fee and any Trenton business license on top of the state LLC filing fee.
New Jersey does not levy a local business income tax, but the state requires an annual report for LLCs. Budget for the annual report fee and any Trenton business license on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Plan for the $75 annual report, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Trenton business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the New Jersey Division of Taxation at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Trenton requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in Trenton, forming in New Jersey is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Trenton typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in New Jersey anyway, paying fees in both states.