Compare Business Types in Michigan
LLC, corporation, S-Corp, nonprofit or partnership: what each costs to form and keep in Michigan, side by side. An LLC is $50 to file.
Last verified October 2026 against official Michigan sources.
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Michigan Business Structures at a Glance
| Feature | Corporation | LLC | Nonprofit | Partnership | S-Corp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $50 | $50 | $20 | $10 | $60 |
| Expedite fee | $100 | $100 | $50 | $50 | $100 |
| Processing time | 5-10 business days | 10-15 business days | 5-10 business days | 5-10 business days | 5-10 business days |
| Annual/biennial report fee | $25 | $25 | $20 | $25 | $25 |
| Franchise / minimum tax | — | — | — | — | — |
| Recurring state fees / yr (est.) | $25 | $25 | $20 | $25 | $25 |
| Publication required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Registered agent | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Minimum owners | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Recurring estimate = report fee (halved for biennial reports) + franchise/minimum tax. Excludes publication, registered-agent and income taxes. S-Corp is a federal tax election (IRS Form 2553) made by an LLC or corporation.
LLC vs. Other Structures in Michigan
LLC vs. Corporation
Unlike a Michigan corporation, a Michigan LLC avoids double taxation by default through pass-through taxation and does not require a board of directors, formal annual meetings, or the issuance of stock, making it simpler to manage and operate.
LLC vs. S-Corp
An S-Corp is a tax election, not a separate entity type — a Michigan LLC can elect S-Corp tax treatment with the IRS to potentially reduce self-employment taxes, but an S-Corp has restrictions such as a 100-shareholder limit and single class of stock requirement that LLCs are not subject to.
LLC vs. Partnership
Unlike a general partnership, a Michigan LLC provides personal liability protection to all members, meaning their personal assets are shielded from business debts and lawsuits, while general partners in a partnership face unlimited personal liability.
LLC vs. Nonprofit
A Michigan LLC is a for-profit entity focused on generating returns for its members, whereas a Michigan nonprofit corporation is organized for charitable, educational, or other exempt purposes and can pursue federal tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3), which LLCs generally cannot.
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