LLCforTexas Veteran LLC Fee Waiver: Form 205 and 05-904 Guide
- Cost: Normally $300 for Form 205. Qualifying veteran-owned businesses pay $0 in Secretary of State filing fees for their first five years, as long as they keep qualifying.
- Franchise tax: A qualifying business may owe no Texas franchise tax for its first five years, as long as it keeps qualifying.
- Time: About 7 to 10 business days for the TVC letter, per TVC, then your filing.
- Status: Both programs no longer have an end date. HB 346 (2025), effective September 1, 2025, removed the 2026 repeal.
5-year cost calculator
Your cost is the Without waiver total.
| Year | Item | Without waiver | With waiver |
|---|
Do you qualify?
- Your LLC is formed on or after January 1, 2022.
- It's 100% owned by individuals who are veterans.
- Every owner was honorably discharged ("general under honorable" is also accepted by TVC).
- Every owner has their own TVC verification letter.
If you can't check every box, you'll pay the normal fees.
Steps
Get your verification letter
Each owner contacts TVC through "Connect with a Business Consultant" on the TVC Entrepreneurs page. Check with TVC for the documents it currently accepts. Letters are valid for five years.
Wait for every letter before you file
If you file first, you'll pay the fee.
Choose your LLC name
File Form 205 and Form 05-904
File Form 205 (Certificate of Formation) and Form 05-904 (Certification of New Veteran-Owned Business) together with the Secretary of State, by mail or through SOSPortal.
Keep your letters on file
Confirm your franchise tax reporting with the Comptroller each year.
FAQ
Who qualifies?
A business formed on or after January 1, 2022, that's 100% owned by honorably discharged veterans, with a TVC letter for each owner.
Is it really $0?
Yes for Secretary of State filing fees during the first five years, as long as the business keeps qualifying. Expedited filing fees probably aren't covered, since they're set under a different law, and other costs like a registered agent aren't either.
Do I still file franchise tax reports?
The Comptroller and TVC give different answers on which reports are due during the five years, so confirm with the Comptroller.
Does the program expire?
Not currently. The program no longer has an end date: HB 346, effective September 1, 2025, removed the 2026 repeal. The Legislature can still change it later. The statutes website may still show an older "repealed" note.