The cost to form an LLC for a Wilmington business starts with the $90 Delaware filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Wilmington business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Delaware charges a $90 filing fee to form an LLC and a $300 annual franchise tax (minimum) each year. Delaware has no sales tax and is famous as a business-friendly incorporation state. The Court of Chancery specializes in business law, making Delaware the preferred state for corporate formation nationwide.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Filing Fee | $90 | One-time at formation |
| Annual franchise tax (minimum) | $300 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Wilmington Business License / Tax | Varies by industry | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
Delaware has no state sales tax but levies a gross receipts tax on most businesses and an annual LLC franchise tax of $300, and Wilmington applies its city wage tax to business net profits earned in the city. Budget for the gross receipts tax and franchise tax on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware and a major corporate and banking center, home to credit-card and financial-services operations drawn by Delaware's business-friendly laws, along with the chemical industry's historic roots and the Court of Chancery.
| Local Metric | Wilmington (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 70,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | New Castle County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 106 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $280,000 |
| Median household income | $50,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.7% 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 Delaware at $90, since LLCs are formed at the state level. Add the $300 annual franchise tax (minimum) (each year), a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Wilmington business license or tax. Delaware has no state sales tax but levies a gross receipts tax on most businesses and an annual LLC franchise tax of $300, and Wilmington applies its city wage tax to business net profits earned in the city. Budget for the gross receipts tax and franchise tax on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Delaware has no state sales tax but levies a gross receipts tax on most businesses and an annual LLC franchise tax of $300, and Wilmington applies its city wage tax to business net profits earned in the city. Budget for the gross receipts tax and franchise tax on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Plan for the $300 annual franchise tax (minimum), registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Wilmington business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the Delaware Division of Revenue at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Wilmington 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 Wilmington, forming in Delaware is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Wilmington typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in Delaware anyway, paying fees in both states.