Vermont LLC vs Virginia LLC (2026)
Compare Vermont LLC vs Virginia LLC — filing fees, taxes, privacy laws, and annual costs. Find out which state is actually better for your business.
| Factor | Vermont | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $125 | $100 |
| Processing Time | 3 day(s) | 1 day(s) |
| Annual Report Fee | $35 | $50 |
| Annual Report Due | Anniversary month | Last day of anniversary month |
| State Income Tax | Yes | Yes |
| Anonymous LLC | No | Yes |
| Publication Requirement | No | No |
| Foreign LLC Cost (if forming out-of-state) | N/A — you're in your home state | ~$100 + registered agent ~$150/yr |
Verdict: Vermont wins for most businesses
For most Vermont-based small businesses, forming locally in Vermont is the smarter choice due to lower total costs and simpler compliance. Virginia only makes sense if you specifically need anonymous LLC ownership or have investors requiring Delaware-alternative incorporation.
Compare LLC Costs: Vermont vs Virginia
Vermont
Virginia
Costs include mandatory state fees: filing fees, annual report fees, California's $800/yr franchise tax, and Nevada's $550/yr (annual list $350 + state business license $200). New York's formation fee includes an estimated $500 publication cost (required by law; NYC counties typically run $1,500–$2,000+). Excludes registered agent fees and legal fees. For informational purposes only — not legal or tax advice.
Filing Fees & Formation Costs
Vermont charges $125 to file an LLC, while Virginia costs $100 — a $25 difference. However, if you form in Virginia but operate in Vermont, you'll pay Virginia's $100 plus Vermont's foreign LLC registration fee (around $100) plus ongoing registered agent costs in Virginia (~$150/year). This makes the Virginia route significantly more expensive for Vermont-based businesses.
Taxes: Vermont vs Virginia
Both Vermont and Virginia impose state income tax on LLCs, so there's no tax advantage to forming in either state. Vermont has no franchise tax or minimum tax for LLCs. Virginia also has no franchise tax for LLCs, but you'll still owe Vermont taxes on Vermont-sourced income regardless of where you form, eliminating any potential tax benefits.
Privacy & Asset Protection
Virginia allows anonymous LLC formation — you can use a nominee member to keep your name off public records. Vermont requires member names on the Articles of Organization, making ownership public. Both states offer standard LLC charging order protection. Virginia's privacy advantage is the main reason some entrepreneurs consider forming there despite higher total costs.
Annual Maintenance Costs
Vermont's annual report costs just $35, while Virginia charges $50 — Vermont wins by $15 annually. If you form in Virginia but operate in Vermont, you'll pay both states' annual fees plus ongoing registered agent costs in Virginia. Vermont's total first-year cost of $160 is $63 below the national average and ranks 17th cheapest among all 50 states.
When Virginia Actually Makes Sense
Virginia makes sense if anonymous ownership is critical to your business strategy or if you have investors who specifically require a Delaware-alternative formation state. Some real estate investors or high-net-worth individuals choose Virginia for the privacy protection. However, for typical small businesses focused on cost-effectiveness and simplicity, Vermont's local formation advantages usually outweigh Virginia's privacy benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
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<iframe src="https://www.mystatellc.com/tools/compare-states?embed=1&stateA=VT&stateB=VA" width="100%" height="720" frameborder="0" style="border:0;max-width:900px;display:block;margin:0 auto;" title="Vermont vs Virginia LLC Cost Comparison" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="text-align:center;font-size:.8125rem;color:#6b7280">Source: <a href="https://www.mystatellc.com/llc/compare/vermont-llc-vs-virginia-llc">MyStateLLC — Vermont vs Virginia LLC Comparison</a></p>
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