New Hampshire is a solid, low-cost option for founders who want a real US state with no sales tax and a simple annual filing. This guide walks through what it costs on each PowerLaunch plan, what you owe every year after, and when another state makes more sense for your situation.
Who New Hampshire suits
New Hampshire works well if you want a state with a clean reputation, no state sales tax, and a straightforward yearly filing. It suits founders running an online business, a consulting practice, or a small e-commerce store who do not need a Delaware entity for investors. It is less of a fit if you are raising venture capital, since most US investors expect a Delaware C-Corporation. If that is your plan, read the Wyoming and Delaware comparison further down before you file.
What it costs in year one
New Hampshire charges a $100 filing fee for both an LLC and a corporation. That fee sits on top of whichever PowerLaunch plan you choose. Here is the full year one cost.
| Plan | Plan price | New Hampshire 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 |
If you need your EIN faster than the standard timeline, the expedited EIN add-on is $295 on Launch or Run, and it is already included on Scale.
What it costs every year after
New Hampshire's yearly state cost is $100, covering the annual report or the equivalent minimum filing. On top of that, you renew your PowerLaunch plan. So a Launch customer pays $295 plus $100 every year, a Run customer pays $1,995 plus $100, and a Scale customer pays $2,995 plus $100 (or the monthly rate). This is a fixed, predictable line item, which is one reason founders like New Hampshire over states with variable franchise tax formulas.
Registered agent requirement
New Hampshire requires every LLC and corporation to keep a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This is not optional and it cannot be your home address in another country. The Launch plan and every plan above it includes a registered agent, so this requirement is handled automatically as long as your plan stays active. If your registered agent service lapses, the state can eventually administratively dissolve your company, so keep this in mind if you ever consider letting a plan expire.
Annual report
New Hampshire requires an annual report each year to keep your company in good standing. This is a straightforward filing, but missing it can lead to late fees or, eventually, dissolution by the state. The Run and Scale plans include this annual report filing as part of the service. On the Launch plan, you handle the annual report yourself, though the state's own site has clear instructions if you need to file it directly. Always check New Hampshire's official filing site for the current deadline and any fee changes, since states update these details from time to time.
State income tax position
New Hampshire does not have a general state sales tax, and it does not tax regular wage income the way most states do. However, states change tax rules over time, and business-level taxes can differ from personal wage taxes. If your LLC is a single-member entity owned by a non-US founder with no US-based operations or employees, your state tax exposure is often minimal, but this depends on your specific setup. Check New Hampshire's department of revenue site directly, or bring the question to your consultation, rather than assuming your situation matches a general rule.
Regardless of the state you form in, a foreign-owned single-member LLC has a federal filing duty. You need to file Form 5472 along with a pro forma 1120 by April 15 each year. This is separate from anything New Hampshire asks for, and it applies no matter which state you pick. As of the 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are currently exempt from BOI reporting, but rules like this can shift, so it is worth a periodic check.
When Wyoming or Delaware would be the better choice
New Hampshire is a fine general purpose state, but it is not always the right one.
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| You want the lowest possible ongoing state cost with strong privacy | Wyoming |
| You plan to raise venture capital or bring on US institutional investors | Delaware, as a C-Corporation |
| You want fast formation with a simple flat annual fee | Wyoming or New Hampshire |
| You want a corporate law system that investors and lawyers already know well | Delaware |
| You run a simple online business with no investor plans | New Hampshire or Wyoming both work |
If you are unsure which of these fits your plan, the free consultation is the fastest way to check before you file, since switching states later means forming a new entity.
Step-by-step through PowerLaunch
- Pick your plan, Launch, Run, or Scale, based on how much bookkeeping and tax support you want alongside the formation.
- Complete checkout at powerlaunch.solutions/signup and select New Hampshire as your state.
- PowerLaunch prepares and files your formation documents with the state. Processing typically takes one to two weeks in New Hampshire.
- Your EIN application is filed with the IRS. Non-resident owners without an SSN typically wait two to four weeks unless you add expedited EIN processing.
- Once your EIN is issued, PowerLaunch can introduce you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay for a business bank account. Final approval is always the bank's decision, not PowerLaunch's.
- On Run and Scale, your account moves into MyCG.AI, where transaction tracking, invoicing, and annual report filing are handled going forward.
- If a formation error happens on PowerLaunch's side, it gets corrected at PowerLaunch's cost, and that part of the fee is refunded. State fees themselves are never refundable, so double-check your details before submitting.
What to do next
If New Hampshire fits your plan, you can start at powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick Launch, Run, or Scale. If you are still weighing New Hampshire against Wyoming or Delaware, book the free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book and talk it through before you file.
