Idaho is a low-fee state with a simple filing process, and it works well if you have a real reason to be tied to Idaho rather than just looking for the cheapest LLC. This guide walks through the actual costs on each PowerLaunch plan, what happens after year one, and when a different state makes more sense for you.
Who Idaho suits
Idaho suits founders who have some real connection to the state. That might mean a US co-founder or employee based there, a customer base concentrated in Idaho, or a business that will hold property or run operations inside the state. If none of that applies to you, Idaho's low fees are nice but they are not a strong reason on their own to pick it over a state built specifically for non-resident founders.
If you are forming a company purely to hold a bank account, invoice clients, and run a remote business with no physical tie to any US state, you should read the Wyoming or Delaware comparison further down before you commit.
What it costs in year one
Idaho's own filing fee is $100 for an LLC and $100 for a corporation. You pay that once, at formation, on top of whichever PowerLaunch plan you choose.
| Plan | Plan price | Idaho filing fee | Year one total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295 | $100 | $395 |
| Run | $1,995 | $100 | $2,095 |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | $100 | $3,095/yr or $329/mo + $100 |
If you need your EIN faster than the standard timeline, the expedited EIN add-on is $295 on Launch and Run, and it is already included on Scale.
What it costs after year one
Idaho does not charge an ongoing state fee for the LLC itself, and the annual report filing has no separate cost attached to it. So from year two onward, your yearly cost is just your PowerLaunch plan price, with no Idaho state fee added on top. This is one of the reasons Idaho appears on a lot of low-cost comparisons.
That said, "no state fee" does not mean "no filing." You still have to submit the annual report on time every year to keep the company in good standing. Miss it and Idaho can administratively dissolve the company, which is a much bigger problem than a small fee would have been.
Registered agent requirement
Idaho requires every LLC and corporation to keep a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This agent receives legal and state correspondence on the company's behalf. You cannot use a PO box, and if you do not live in Idaho, you need a commercial registered agent service.
All PowerLaunch plans include a registered agent and a virtual mailing and business address, so this requirement is handled automatically from the moment the company is formed. You do not need to hire a separate agent or manage this address yourself.
Annual report
Idaho requires an annual report to keep the company active. It is a straightforward filing, and there is no franchise tax minimum attached to it, but it still has to be submitted correctly and on time each year. On the Run and Scale plans, PowerLaunch handles this annual state report filing for you as part of the plan. On Launch, you are responsible for filing it yourself, so if you want it handled for you, Run is the better fit.
Rules around annual report timing and any future fee changes are set by the state, so always check Idaho's own filing site for the current deadline before you rely on this guide alone.
State income tax position
Idaho has its own state income tax that applies to corporations and, in some cases, to individuals with Idaho-source income. If your LLC is treated as a disregarded entity or partnership for tax purposes and you have no US-source income and no real activity inside Idaho, you generally would not expect to owe Idaho state income tax at the entity level. If you elect C-corporation tax treatment, or if the company actually operates, employs people, or generates income inside Idaho, the state tax picture changes and you may have a filing obligation there.
This is a general description, not a ruling on your specific situation, and state tax rules can shift. Check Idaho's tax authority website or talk to a tax professional about your exact setup before assuming either way. PowerLaunch's Run and Scale plans include a licensed tax professional consultation, which is a good place to get a direct answer for your company.
Separately, if you are a non-US owner of a single-member LLC, remember the federal side too. You still need to file Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 by April 15 each year, regardless of which state you form in. As of the 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are currently exempt from BOI reporting, but rules like this can change, so keep an eye on updates.
When Wyoming or Delaware would be the better choice
Idaho is a solid, low-cost option, but it is not always the right one. Here is a quick comparison of when each state fits better.
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You have real operations, staff, or customers based in Idaho | Idaho |
| You want the lowest possible ongoing state cost with no state income tax exposure and no physical US presence | Wyoming |
| You plan to raise venture capital or bring on institutional investors | Delaware |
| You just want a simple remote LLC with a bank account and no state tie | Wyoming |
Wyoming has no state income tax and very low ongoing fees, which makes it a common default for founders with no physical presence anywhere in the US. Delaware is the standard choice for C-corporations that expect to raise investment, because investors and their lawyers are used to Delaware's corporate law. If neither of those describes you, and you do have a genuine reason to be in Idaho, it remains a fine, low-fee choice.
Step by step through PowerLaunch
- Go to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and choose Idaho as your formation state.
- Pick the plan that matches how much support you want, Launch for the basics, Run if you want tax filings and bookkeeping handled, Scale if you want a dedicated bookkeeper and expedited EIN.
- PowerLaunch files your LLC or corporation formation with Idaho, sets up your registered agent, and prepares your operating agreement or bylaws.
- Your EIN is filed with the IRS. Expect a longer wait if you have no SSN, unless you add expedited processing.
- Once you have your EIN, PowerLaunch introduces you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay for a US business bank account. Final approval is always the bank's decision.
- On Run and Scale, your annual report, tax filings, and bookkee
