To start a business in Utah, register your LLC or corporation with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, get an EIN, and set up state tax and employer accounts, which Utah lets you combine in one OneStop Business Registration (OSBR) application. Under the Division’s current posted fee schedule, filing a Certificate of Organization for an LLC costs $59, and keeping it active costs $18 a year in renewal fees.
Utah’s state fees are among the lowest in the country, so the bigger planning items are usually sales tax registration, local licensing and, if you hire, workers’ compensation.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Business Formation Services in Utah (2026)
Here are our top picks for forming a business in Utah, ranked. Mainstay Filing comes first for its flat yearly price; the two Utah registered agent services below it are options if you only need an agent.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | UT Registered Agent.org | Utah registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Utah Registered Agent.co | Utah registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Utah. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. UT Registered Agent.org
UT Registered Agent.org is a Utah registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Utah Registered Agent.co
Utah Registered Agent.co is a Utah registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Utah at a glance (October 2026)
| Item | Utah detail |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code |
| LLC Certificate of Organization | $59 |
| Corporation Articles of Incorporation | $59 |
| Annual renewal | $18, due each year in your anniversary month ($10 late fee) |
| Assumed name (DBA) | $22, renewed every 3 years ($18) |
| Expedited processing | $75 per document |
| State sales tax | 4.85%, plus local option taxes |
| Combined registration | OneStop Business Registration (OSBR) |
Fees are from the Division of Corporations’ fee schedule, the version effective July 1, 2025 and still posted in October 2026. Mainstay Filing tracks Utah LLC costs as well.
Choose your business structure
Utah’s main options:
- Sole proprietorship. No state formation filing. Register an assumed name (DBA) if you use a business name other than your own. You carry personal liability for debts.
- General partnership. Two or more owners sharing profits and liability. Partnerships also register a DBA if they use a trade name.
- LLC. For $59 to form and $18 a year, Utah LLCs are an inexpensive way to separate personal assets from business liabilities. Utah also allows series LLCs. Our guide to starting an LLC in Utah covers the filing in more detail.
- Corporation. The same $59 filing fee and $18 renewal. Corporations make sense for companies planning to raise equity.
For most owners the LLC is the default, and at Utah’s prices there is little reason to operate unprotected as a sole proprietor.
How do you check a business name in Utah?
Your LLC name must include a designator such as “Limited Liability Company”, “LLC” or “L.L.C.”, and it must be distinguishable from other names on record with the Division of Corporations.
- Search the Division’s business entity records, or read our Utah business name search guide for help.
- Check domains and social handles with Namechk before committing to a name.
- Search the USPTO for federal trademarks.
- Generate options with the business name generator if you are stuck.
Registering a DBA in Utah
Utah registers assumed names (DBAs) through the Division of Corporations. Registration costs $22. Unlike entity renewals, a DBA renews every three years, with an $18 renewal fee, according to the Division’s renewal FAQ. An expired DBA cannot be reinstated; you register it again as new.
Appoint a registered agent
Every Utah LLC and corporation must name a registered agent with a physical street address in Utah, available during business hours to receive legal papers. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Utah, or use a commercial agent.
A commercial agent keeps your home address off public filings and makes sure papers are handled while you are away. Mainstay Filing includes a Utah registered agent for the first year as part of its formation package. Changing your registered agent later costs $13. Utah’s registered agent law also allows the agent to be a commercial agent listed with the Division, a noncommercial agent with a Utah street address, or the holder of a named office within your company.
Register your LLC or corporation
You file with the Division of Corporations online through its Business Registration System, which uses a UtahID login, or through OneStop Business Registration. The Division no longer offers a downloadable paper Certificate of Organization for LLCs. A domestic LLC files a Certificate of Organization, which asks for:
- The LLC name.
- The registered agent’s name and Utah street address.
- The principal office address.
- The names of members or managers, and the organizer’s signature.
The fee is $59, and expedited processing adds $75 per document. Utah has no publication requirement. After approval, sign an operating agreement covering ownership and management; Utah does not collect it, but banks and partners often ask for it.
Why use OneStop Business Registration?
OSBR combines several registrations in one online application: your entity filing with the Division of Corporations, tax accounts with the Utah State Tax Commission, and employer accounts with the Department of Workforce Services and the Labor Commission. It saves re-entering the same information at several agencies.
Get an EIN
Apply for a free Employer Identification Number on the IRS website. Having it ready before your OSBR or tax registration makes the state applications simpler.
Register for Utah taxes
The Utah State Tax Commission handles sales tax, withholding and corporate income tax. According to Publication 25:
- Sales tax license. Every seller with an established presence in Utah must hold a Utah sales tax license. Apply online through the Tax Commission’s Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) using the TC-69 business registration, or through OSBR.
- Rates. The state sales and use tax rate is 4.85%, and cities, counties and special districts add local option taxes. The Tax Commission publishes rate tables, and its FAQ notes that rates can change each quarter.
- Withholding. Register once you have employees in Utah.
C corporations file Utah corporate franchise or income tax returns, while LLC profits generally pass through to the owners’ individual Utah returns.
Hiring employees in Utah
Utah follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. When you hire, you also need to:
- Register with the Department of Workforce Services for unemployment insurance and report new hires.
- Carry workers’ compensation insurance; the Utah Labor Commission oversees compliance.
- Follow Utah’s wage payment and posting rules from the Labor Commission.
OSBR can handle the Workforce Services and Labor Commission registrations along with your tax accounts.
Licenses and permits
Utah does not issue a general statewide business license. Instead:
- Cities and counties issue business licenses. Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, St. George and most other cities require one, along with zoning and fire inspections for many locations.
- The Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) licenses contractors, cosmetologists, health professionals and many other occupations.
- Other agencies handle specialized permits, such as alcohol licenses through the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services and food permits through local health departments.
The Utah SBDC offers free advising on licensing and planning.
Banking and insurance
Open a business bank account with your Certificate of Organization, EIN and operating agreement, and keep business and personal money separate. Beyond required workers’ compensation, consider general liability, professional liability, commercial auto and property insurance.
Renewing your Utah business each year
Utah calls its annual report a renewal. It is due by the last day of your registration anniversary month each year, under Utah Code 48-3a-212 for LLCs, and the Division sends a notice ahead of time. The fee is $18 for an LLC or corporation, which includes a $5 surcharge for the state’s UtahID portal, and a late renewal adds a $10 fee.
You can renew with or without changes. If you need to update your registered agent, principal address or principals at the same time, use the registration information change form alongside the renewal; its processing fee is waived when you file both together. Businesses that stay delinquent can be administratively dissolved, and reinstatement costs more than staying current.
Renewals are quick to file online. Keep your registered agent and address details up to date at the same time.
A website for your Utah business
With your name registered, claim a matching domain and set up a simple website. Utah’s tech-savvy market rewards a clear online presence. These builders are a good start:
FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Utah?
Under the Utah Division of Corporations’ current posted fee schedule, filing a Certificate of Organization for an LLC costs $59. Each year after that, the LLC files a renewal for $18, with a $10 fee if it is late. Expedited processing costs $75 per document, and a DBA costs $22 if you use a trade name.
When is the Utah LLC annual renewal due?
Utah LLCs and corporations renew by the last day of their registration anniversary month every year, filing online through the Division of Corporations. The renewal fee is $18, and late renewals add a $10 fee. A business that stays delinquent can be administratively dissolved and must pay more to reinstate.
How do I register a DBA in Utah?
Register an assumed name with the Utah Division of Corporations for $22, online or through OneStop Business Registration. A Utah DBA renews every three years rather than annually, and the renewal costs $18. If a DBA expires, it cannot be reinstated, so you would need to register it again as a new filing.
What is the sales tax rate in Utah?
Utah’s state sales and use tax rate is 4.85%, and cities, counties and special districts add local option taxes, so combined rates vary by location. Every seller with an established presence in Utah needs a sales tax license from the Utah State Tax Commission, which you can apply for online through TAP or OneStop Business Registration.
What is OneStop Business Registration in Utah?
OneStop Business Registration (OSBR) is Utah’s combined online application for new businesses. In one process, you can register your entity with the Division of Corporations, open tax accounts with the Utah State Tax Commission, and set up employer accounts with the Department of Workforce Services and the Labor Commission.
Can I be my own registered agent in Utah?
Yes, if you have a physical street address in Utah and are available there during normal business hours to accept legal papers. A P.O. box alone does not qualify. Your address will appear in public records, so many owners use a commercial registered agent instead. Changing your agent later costs $13.
Do I need a business license in Utah?
Utah has no statewide general business license, but most cities and counties require a local business license, often with zoning and fire inspections. Licensed occupations, such as contractors and cosmetologists, also need a license from the Division of Professional Licensing. Check with the city where your business will operate.
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