How to Start an LLC in New Jersey
Bizee helps entrepreneurs form an LLC in New Jersey for $0 + the $130 state fee. Learn the 7 steps, key requirements, and what to expect from the state.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
New Jersey LLC at a glance
Filing fee: $130
Processing time: Typically 5–10 business days (standard); expedited options available
State agency: New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Annual report due: Annual report filed with NJ Division of Revenue; due date varies by business anniversary
State tax rate: New Jersey does not impose a separate LLC-level income tax for pass-through entities; members pay personal income tax on their share of profits. LLCs electing S Corp or C Corp status are subject to the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax.
How to start an LLC in New Jersey
Forming an LLC in New Jersey means filing a Certificate of Formation with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, paying the $130 state filing fee, and appointing a registered agent with a physical New Jersey address. Most standard filings are processed within 5–10 business days.
Why form an LLC in New Jersey
A New Jersey LLC gives you personal liability protection, pass-through taxation, and a flexible ownership structure — without the formality of a corporation. New Jersey also offers a range of business assistance programs and tax credits for qualifying businesses, which makes the state a practical choice for entrepreneurs who plan to grow.
For most people starting a business in New Jersey, an LLC is the fastest path to legal protection and a professional business identity. It's worth noting that New Jersey does require LLCs to register for state taxes separately after formation — that step catches some people off guard.
Other New Jersey LLC types
Most entrepreneurs form a standard domestic LLC. But two other LLC types are available in New Jersey depending on your situation.
- Professional LLC (PLLC): For licensed professionals — things like attorneys, accountants, and engineers — who want LLC liability protection. New Jersey requires that all members hold the relevant professional license.
- Foreign LLC: If your LLC was formed in another state but you want to do business in New Jersey, you need to register as a foreign LLC with the New Jersey Division of Revenue. This is not a new LLC — it's a registration that lets your existing LLC operate legally in the state.
New Jersey LLC taxes and ongoing requirements
New Jersey pass-through LLCs don't pay a separate state income tax at the entity level — profits flow through to members, who pay New Jersey personal income tax on their share. LLCs that elect S Corp or C Corp status are subject to the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax instead.
New Jersey also requires LLCs to file an annual report to stay in good standing. Missing the annual report deadline can put your LLC's good standing at risk, so it's worth tracking the due date from the start.
Helpful New Jersey state resources
- New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services — business formation filings and name searches: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/gettingregistered.shtml
- New Jersey Online Business Filing Portal — file your Certificate of Formation and NJ-REG online: https://my.nj.gov/aui/Login
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development — employer registration and payroll tax requirements
- New Jersey Division of Taxation — state tax registration, sales tax, and employer withholding
Frequently asked questions
The New Jersey state filing fee for a Certificate of Formation is $130. That's the required cost regardless of how you file. There's no separate publication requirement in New Jersey, so you won't face the additional costs that some other states impose.
Yes. New Jersey allows single-member LLCs, so you can form and own an LLC entirely on your own. You'll still need to appoint a registered agent with a New Jersey address, file the Certificate of Formation, and register for state taxes — but none of those steps require a partner or attorney.
It depends on your familiarity with the process. The filing itself is straightforward — you submit a Certificate of Formation online and pay the $130 state fee. The part that trips people up is the separate state tax registration step (the NJ-REG), which is required after formation and is easy to overlook.
Standard processing through the New Jersey Division of Revenue typically takes 5–10 business days. Expedited filing options are available if you need approval faster. Online filings generally move through the system more quickly than paper filings sent by mail.
Yes. New Jersey requires every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The registered agent receives legal documents and official state notices on behalf of your LLC. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a New Jersey address, or you can use a registered agent service.
It depends on your LLC's structure. LLCs with employees, multiple members, or those electing corporate tax treatment are required to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Single-member LLCs without employees may use the owner's Social Security Number instead. That said, getting an EIN is free through the IRS and keeps your personal number off business documents — most owners get one regardless.
No — the $130 state filing fee is required and can't be waived. However, you can form your LLC through Bizee for $0 in service fees, so the only cost you pay is the New Jersey state fee. That covers the filing itself, plus a free first year of registered agent service.
The NJ-REG is New Jersey's business registration form for state tax purposes. After your LLC is formed, you file the NJ-REG with the New Jersey Division of Revenue to register for applicable state taxes — things like sales tax, employer withholding, and other business taxes. This step is separate from your Certificate of Formation and is required before you start doing business in New Jersey.
