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Formation Math LLC service costs, worked out step by step.

LLC formation worksheets · Iowa

3 Best LLC Services in Iowa (2026): Worked Prices

Result for Iowa in 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), IA Registered Agent.org ($199) and Iowa Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order, among LLC formation services. The service rows total $397 to $597 over three years; Iowa separately charges $50 to file, whoever does it.
Worked by the Formation Math editorial team

↓ Sorted by: Best score first, from five weighted checks

Results box

Charge for filing $50 legis.iowa.gov (checked October 2026) as the source
Totals after one year $199 Provider charges only
Sum of years 1 to 3 $397 to $597 Year one plus two more years
Government total, 3 years $80 Filing + reports + any tax
Crossing point Not within ten years Same ranking each year

Rows ranked by value

Rows are sorted by the method. None of the rows includes the $50 state fee.

1
Top score

1. Mainstay Filing: best for covering the most items per dollar

$199 a year, then $50 to the state
Year-1 price $199
Price after year 1 $199/yr
Sum of 3 years $597

Row one is Mainstay Filing. The math: one $199 charge each year includes formation, registered agent and every biennial report.

Subtract and IA Registered Agent.org is $200 cheaper across three years, yet it leaves more filings to you.

The biennial report gets filed too, and the only addition is the state's $30.

The price buys

  • Formation handled start to finish
  • Registered agent, covered all year
  • Biennial report, filed when due
  • EIN application, handled
  • The official fee, nothing added

Adds up

  • Same $199 after the first year
  • $199 a year includes filing and agent and report
  • EIN application is part of the price

Does not add up

  • From year two it costs $100 above IA Registered Agent.org
2
In-state provider

2. IA Registered Agent.org: best for the smallest three-year sum

$199 plus state fee, then $99 a year
Year-1 price $199
Price after year 1 $99/yr
Sum of 3 years $397

Next in the working, IA Registered Agent.org: $199 for the formation, then a yearly agent renewal of $99.

Allow time for the biennial report; it is not covered.

The price buys

  • Articles of organization, prepared and filed
  • Year-one agent service

Adds up

  • A small $99 renewal
  • Agent included to start
  • Formation priced at $199

Does not add up

  • You prepare the biennial report yourself
  • $99 extra for EIN help
3
In-state provider

3. Iowa Registered Agent.co: best for a second in-state filer

$199 plus state fee, then $99 a year
Year-1 price $199
Price after year 1 $99/yr
Sum of 3 years $397

Next in the working, Iowa Registered Agent.co: $199 for the formation, then a yearly agent renewal of $99.

Allow time for the biennial report; it is not covered.

Compare the two and the figures match: IA Registered Agent.org charges the same.

The price buys

  • Articles of organization, prepared and filed
  • Year-one agent service

Adds up

  • A small $99 renewal
  • Formation priced at $199
  • Agent included to start

Does not add up

  • You prepare the biennial report yourself
  • $99 extra for EIN help

What each row adds up to

No. Provider Year 1 total Total at year 2 Total at year 3 Total at year 5
1 Mainstay Filing $199 $398 $597 $995 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 IA Registered Agent.org $199 $298 $397 $595 Visit IA Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 Iowa Registered Agent.co $199 $298 $397 $595 Visit Iowa Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Company prices from November 13, 2026, summed year by year. The totals keep one order for ten years.

Check the math yourself

Change the years to redo the addition, with the EIN application as an option.

Total over 3 years: Mainstay Filing $597, IA Registered Agent.org $397, Iowa Registered Agent.co $397. The least spent: IA Registered Agent.org.

State fees with citations

Term Value Where it comes from
Fee to form the LLC $50 legis.iowa.gov (checked October 2026) as the source
Biennial report $30 every two years help.sos.iowa.gov (checked October 2026) as the source
Three-year state total $80 Our addition

Each state row cites its official source. The 3-year total adds the filing, the year-2 and year-3 reports and any minimum tax.

Notes on the order

Weight 28%: items covered per dollar. That term separated the top two rows.

The biennial report term moved the bundle into first.

Include the EIN application in the math and Mainstay Filing passes IA Registered Agent.org in year 2.

Iowa LLC filing fee and rules, from the source

$50 is the price of the filing that creates the LLC, the Certificate of Organization, delivered to the Iowa Secretary of State. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

As written: legis.iowa.gov (checked October 2026) as the source

The no-service row

Do it yourself and only state fees remain, $80 over three years. The service rows add $397 to $597 for the paperwork and the agent.

Quick answers

What does an LLC formation service cost in Iowa?

$199 for the service and $50 for the state.

What do the services add up to over three years?

Between $397 to $597 for three years of service.

What is the Iowa fee to file an LLC?

$50 with the Certificate of Organization.

What does Iowa collect each year after formation?

The recurring item is the biennial report, $30 every other year (April 1 of odd-numbered years).

Does the price include the EIN application?

Mainstay Filing includes it, IA Registered Agent.org bills $99 and Iowa Registered Agent.co bills $99.

In what year does one service pass another in total cost?

They stay in the same order for ten years.

Which LLC formation service is best value in Iowa?

From the top: Mainstay Filing, IA Registered Agent.org and Iowa Registered Agent.co.

More worksheets

LLC formation worksheets, all 50 states Best LLC services overall The method

Inputs and sources

  1. Check Iowa Secretary of State, Business at help.sos.iowa.gov; last read August 2026.
  2. Check Iowa Secretary of State, Business at help.sos.iowa.gov; last read August 2026.
  3. Check Iowa report due date at legis.iowa.gov; last read August 2026.
  4. Check Iowa Code § 489.201 at legis.iowa.gov; last read August 2026.
  5. Check Iowa formation fee: Filing fee at legis.iowa.gov; last read October 2026.
  6. Check Iowa registered agent statute at legis.iowa.gov; last read October 2026.
  7. Mainstay Filing Iowa service page, read on November 13, 2026 for the inputs
  8. IA Registered Agent.org pricing page, read on November 13, 2026 for the inputs
  9. Iowa Registered Agent.co pricing page, read on November 13, 2026 for the inputs