The first thing you need to do is come up with a creative idea for your LLC in Michigan. Conduct market research to find a worthy business idea worth pursuing. Figure out the products and services you will sell and find a reliable supplier for your small business.

To attract customers to your business, deliver high-quality products and provide an excellent customer experience. Also, clearly define your unique value proposition to give customers a reason to choose your products over what’s available out there.

You need a unique business name for your LLC in Michigan. No other business in the state should be using the name, so check the availability of your desired name on Inc Authority’s online portal to ensure your preferred business name is available for use. 

You also need to ensure your business name follows the state’s naming guidelines. First, your name must include the term “limited liability company” or the abbreviation “LLC” or “LC”. It must also not include terms that can confuse the public, such as FBI.

After coming up with a business idea and choosing a name for your LLC in Michigan, the next step is to create a strategic business plan. The plan should describe your business and highlight clearly what you need to do to succeed in a competitive market. 

The plan should include a thorough analysis of your market and what you should do to gain market share. It should also define your management structure, target customers, a description of your products, and the plan to raise funding to grow the business.

For you to start an LLC in Michigan, you need to appoint a registered agent for your LLC. All businesses must have a local registered agent who will receive official mail on behalf of the LLC. The registered agent must have a physical address in the state. 

They must be available during regular business hours to receive your legal notices. When you form your LLC in Michigan with Inc Authority, they will serve as your free registered agent for one year to ensure you don’t miss important legal documents.

Filing your documents is the most important step when forming your LLC in Michigan. These documents officially establish your organization by sharing crucial information about it. You can file the LLC formation documents online, in person, or through mail. 

The crucial information you need when filing your Articles of Organization includes the name of your LLC, your business address, the purpose of your LLC in Michigan, as well as the name and address of your registered agent. You need to pay $50 filing fee.

After filing your Articles of Organization, submitting the necessary information, and paying the non-refundable state filing fee, the Secretary of State will review your application to make sure that you have provided all the required LLC information.

If they are satisfied with the information you have provided, they will approve your application and register your business. They will then issue you with a Certification of Formation that shows that your business is legally registered to operate in the state.

An LLC Operating Agreement is a business document that describes the way an LLC will be managed. It lists the rights and responsibilities of the members. An Operating Agreement isn’t mandatory when forming a Michigan LLC but it’s advisable to have one. 

Some of the things you need to include when drafting an Operating Agreement include the business description, the name and address of the members, and their contribution. You should also mention whether the LLC is manager-managed or member-managed.

Every LLC in Michigan is required by law to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is a 9-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to identify LLCs for taxation. This unique tax ID protects businesses from identity theft and fraud. 

When you get your EIN, you’ll need it to report your earnings and pay taxes. You will also need it to withhold employment taxes and forward them to the state when you hire employees. Lastly, you will need it to open a separate business bank account.

Your LLC in Michigan is subject to state and federal income taxes. You need to understand your tax responsibilities so you can adhere to them and keep your LLC in good standing. You will need to pay sales tax and employer taxes, for example. 

If you are selling physical products, you are required to charge a sales tax and submit the same to the state. If you plan to hire employees, you need to sign up for Employer Withholding Tax. You are exempt from this tax if your business doesn’t need employees.

Should you hire employees for your business, you need to comply with certain employer obligations. Besides creating a conducive environment for your employees, the state requires every LLC in Michigan with employees to comply with other legal obligations. 

First, you need to report all new hires to the government within 20 days of bringing them on board. You should also withhold taxes from their wages and forward that to the government. Lastly, you must get workers’ compensation insurance for work injuries.

To run your business lawfully in the state, you may need to obtain certain licenses and permits. Check with the state to see which permits you need to operate your business. Luckily, the state has an online database of the permits your business may require. 

For example, you will need a food license if you want to open a restaurant. If you will be serving alcohol, you will need a liquor license. Most of these licenses and permits are renewed yearly, so take note of their renewal dates to avoid operational interruption.

When running your LLC in Michigan, you don’t want to mix your personal and business finances. This will cause a lot of confusion and lead to the misappropriation of business funds. That’s why it’s important to open a separate bank account for your business. 

A separate bank account makes it easy for you to manage your business finances, deduct business expenses, and file your Michigan LLC taxes. It also enables you to conduct proper business accounting and keep track of your business performance. 

Before you start operations, get a business insurance for your LLC in Michigan. Savvy entrepreneurs know that a lot can go wrong when running a business, such as fires and injuries. That’s why you will need business insurance to protect the business. 

While an LLC protects the owner’s assets from business liability, you still need business insurance to protect the business assets. The insurance you should get include liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance.

You need to create a business website if you want your LLC in Michigan to succeed. The world has gone digital and customers now rely on technology to connect with businesses. Without a website, it will be difficult for potential customers to find you. 

Through its power-packed bundles, Inc Authority will help you secure a domain for your website matching your business name. Not only will this legitimize your business, but it will make it easy for you to engage clients and communicate your business value. 

Inc Authority has a free forever plan that gives you access to the essential features you need to start an LLC in Michigan. 

• Business Name Check: Check if your preferred business name is available for use in the state of Michigan. You need a unique name to operate your business and Inc Authority will help you check the availability of your chosen name. 

• Free Registered Agent for 1 year: Every LLC in Michigan needs a registered agent to receive legal notices on their behalf. Inc Authority will act as your free registered agent for one year to ensure you don’t miss any important notice. 

• Digital Storage & Delivery: Inc Authority ensures the safety of your startup documents by storing and delivering them electronically. This will reduce cases of misplaced documents, which happen when documents are stored physically. 

• Tax Planning Consultation: LLCs in Michigan are entitled to certain tax incentives that you may not be aware of. The tax experts at Inc Authority will guide you on how to manage your LLC taxes to help you reduce your taxes. 

• Preparation & Filing: Don’t know which documents to file to register your LLC in Michigan? Worry not! Inc Authority has decades of experience in LLC formation and they will prepare and file all the startup formation documents on your behalf. 

• Inc Care Support: Running a business is very challenging, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. Our trusted partner cares about you and will be there to support you through it all. You can reach them at any time via phone or email. 

• Business Funding Analysis: If you need additional financing to grow your LLC in Michigan, Inc Authority has the experts to analyze your funding needs. They will review your finances and recommend appropriate funding solutions to you. 

Price: Free

This is a premium package that comes with all the features in the free plan and other useful additions that will help you manage your Michigan LLC better. 

• Operating Agreement: Need help creating the operating agreement for your LLC in Michigan? Our trusted partner Inc Authority will help you to create an agreement that outlines how you run the business and inform decision-making. 

• EIN/Tax ID: Every LLC in Michigan needs a tax ID for taxation purposes. LLCs that plan on hiring employees also need a federal Employer Identification Number to report employment taxes. It will help you acquire this ID. 

• Annual Compliance Notifications: To maintain your Michigan LLC in good standing, you are required to submit certain documents to the state every year. Inc Authority will send you timely reminders to help you comply with the law. 

• Web Domain and Email: Establish your online presence with a custom website that showcases your products and services. Inc Authority will register a domain for your website and give you 5 email addresses for your official communication. 

Price: Custom

The Fasttrack Business Bundle is Inc Authority’s most premium package. It provides all the features of the Starter package and other useful additions for your LLC in Michigan. 

• INC Success Advisor Package: Need expert advice to grow your LLC in Michigan? Our trusted partner has an advisor package to help you deal with the complex issues in your business, such as tax, accounting, payroll, etc. 

• Private Banking Specialist: Take your business to the next level with Inc Authority’s private banking support. Our partner will evaluate your funding needs and help you choose the right financial institution to support you going forward. 

• Personalized Business Advice: Every business can do with advice that will help them navigate the tough times. Inc Authority provides personalized business advice to LLC owners to help them overcome the tough problems they face.

• Expedited Filing: Do you need your LLC set up quickly? Our trusted partner provides expedited filing to help you get your business up and running quickly. This will ensure you don’t waste any time launching your dream business. 

Price: Custom

Before you even start the process of starting an LLC in New York, you must choose a unique and relevant business name. Your name should be relevant to your business and simple & memorable enough for your potential customers to remember.

When choosing an LLC name, ensure that you follow the New York LLC naming conventions including adding words like “LLC” to it. Also, search the state databases to make sure that no other business is using your chosen name within the state.

If you anticipate delays in starting the process, you can reserve the name for up to 60 days by paying a nominal fee to the state. This will ensure that while you’re busy forming an LLC in New York, no other business can snatch up your chosen LLC name.

You must also secure a matching domain name for your business website. If a good domain name is not available for your chosen business name, you might have to consider changing your name and acquiring a matching domain name for your website.

All LLCs in New York should have a local registered agent with a permanent address within the state. The registered agent can be an individual or a company, or you could choose to act as a registered agent for your business in New York.

The registered agent needs to be physically present to receive all legal correspondence on the behalf of the business at the registered address during business hours. That’s why it’s better to outsource this service to a reliable company like Inc Authority.

You can form a single-member LLC or a multi-member LLC depending on how many owners are forming the business. You also need to choose between a domestic LLC and a foreign LLC when forming a Limited Liability Company in New York.

If you are starting a new business that you intend to operate within the state, you need to form a domestic LLC. If you have an LLC registered in another state and want to expand your operations to New York, you need to register a foreign LLC.

You can complete this after registering your business, but we recommend doing this earlier. This ensures that you have a clear vision of your future business and how you want things to run, and who’ll be responsible for what.

An LLC operating agreement lists all the rules of governance, dispute resolution, decision-making, and succession planning for an LLC. This is a must-have document if you want to run your business smoothly, without internal conflict.

To officially register your business in New York, you need to file your LLC Articles of Organization with the New York Secretary of State. You will also need to submit the required documents and fill out the application for forming an LLC.

You can submit your completed application online, or via mail or fax, or in person. The fastest and easiest way to do this is submitting an online application. Inc Authority further simplifies the process by reviewing your application and filing it on your behalf.

Some states, like New York, require new businesses to announce their launch by publishing the news in local newspapers. To form an LLC in New York you need to publish a notice in any two newspapers for six consecutive weeks.

Choose a newspaper designated by the county clerk’s office and include either a copy of the Articles of Organization or a formal notice announcing your new LLC. Ensure that your LLC name and other information exactly match the state records.

Every business needs an EIN that acts like the business’s identity in the eyes of the government. IRS (Internal Revenue Service) uses a Tax ID or Employer Identification Number to identify and track a business for tax and other purposes.

A business also needs an EIN for other purposes, such as opening a business bank account, hiring and paying employees, securing funds from investors, etc. That’s why obtaining an EIN is an important step in the process of forming an LLC.

As you would probably know, it’s absolutely essential that you keep your personal and business finances separate, especially if you want to enjoy the liability protection offered by LLCs that protect your personal assets from business debts and liabilities.

Opening a separate business bank account not only helps with that, but also streamlines managing business finances, accounting, and bookkeeping. Check out the various options available in the state or an online bank that meets your needs.

Even after you’ve officially registered your Limited Liability Company in New York, you still can’t start operations until you acquire all the necessary licenses and permits for your business. This will depend on your type of business and location.

You may need federal, state, and local business licenses and permits. Find out your business-specific requirements and get all the permits you need to run an LLC in New York. This will ensure that your business complies with local rules.

Apart from liability protection, New York LLCs also offer the flexibility of choosing how they want to be taxed. An LLC in New York can choose to be taxed as a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, S-Corp, or C-Corporation, offering a lot of flexibility.

Depending on the no. of LLC owners and your preferences, you can choose how you want to be taxed. Most LLCs, however, opt for pass-through taxation, which avoids double taxation and allows business income to pass directly to owners for tax purposes.

When you form an LLC in New York, you need to follow the naming convention of the state for registering your business name. This may require adding words like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” to your business name, making it long.

If you want to run your business under a shorter, more marketable name, you can file for a DBA (doing business as). This allows you to register a fictitious name or assumed name that you can use for day-to-day business operations and marketing.

Every business needs a website to provide information about the business to prospective customers. And you’ll also need a domain name that matches your chosen business name or fictitious name, whichever you prefer to market your business.

Therefore, it’s prudent to register a domain name and start building a website before or during the process of registering your business. Our trusted partner, GoDaddy, offers complete web design and marketing services that you can use for this.

Once you form an LLC in New York, your legal obligations don’t end there. You need to take care of certain things on an ongoing basis to ensure that you stay compliant with the state’s laws and regulations, and remain in good standing with the state.

Unlike most states, New York does not require an annual report. It does, however, charge an annual fee starting from $25. Apart from this, you’ll also need to pay federal and state taxes, and employer taxes, and meet other compliance guidelines.

Here are the features you’ll get with the free business formation plan:

• Business name search: Inc Authority offers an easy-to-use business name search tool on its website that you can use to check if your chosen name is being used by any other business or if it’s available for you to use.
• 1-year registered agent services: Whether you opt for the free plan or one of the paid plans, Inc Authority will provide you with New York registered agent services for free, for the first year. After that, you’ll need to pay for it.
• Online document management: Inc Authority offers you the option to store all your business documents online and access it through your Inc Authority account. This keeps your important documents safe from theft or damage.
• Tax planning consultation: Along with the free LLC formation, Inc Authority also offers free tax planning consultation with its free plan. A tax planning expert will guide you on how to maximize tax benefits and will answer all your questions. 
• LLC formation: The service that Inc Authority is known for is its free LLC formation service. Their team will review and file your application and get your LLC registered with the New York Secretary of State quickly and efficiently.
• S-Corp election and filing: If you want your LLC to get the special tax status of an S-Corp, Inc Authority can help with that as well. Their team will take care of the s-election form and ensure that you get the special tax status in no time.
• Business funding analysis: Every business needs sources of funding to run the operations smoothly and expand further. Inc Authority will provide you with an analysis of your business funding needs and will also give you several options.

The free plan offers everything you need to start an LLC in New York. For more personalized, high-touch services, check out its paid plans.

Price: Free

Here are the additional services you’ll get with the Starter plan:

• LLC operating agreement: You will need to create a New York LLC operating agreement for your LLC in New York. Inc Authority will help you with the process, ensuring that you craft a comprehensive agreement covering all the important details you need to set the rules for how to run your business.
• Ownership certificates: Inc Authority can help you create and issue certificates of ownership for members of your organization. If you have no idea how to create one, they’ll help you with that by providing templates and reference materials.
• Employer Identification Number: One of the most important steps in forming an LLC in New York is to obtain an EIN or Tax ID. If you opt for the Starter plan, Inc Authority will help you with the application process and ensure that you get your Employer Identification Number as soon as possible.
• Corporate forms and documents package: Businesses need a variety of documents on a regular basis, including contracts, agreements, and certificates. Inc Authority offers templates for different types of business documents and also helps you create these documents quickly and easily.
• Compliance notifications: When you operate your business in New York, you will need to comply with a lot of rules and regulations set forth by the state and federal governments. Inc Authority will send you reminders on upcoming deadlines and inform you of the compliance requirements to ensure you’re in good standing.
• Detailed tax consultation: With the free plan, you can get a brief tax planning consultation, but with paid plans, you get full access to tax planning specialists. A tax planning expert will help you plan and file your taxes in a way that gives you the maximum benefits, saves taxes, and gets all the applicable tax rebates.
• Web domain + 5 business email addresses: No business can successfully run and grow in this day and age without a website. Inc Authority has tie-ups with leading web design service providers and can help you build a user-friendly website and also provide up to 5 business email addresses.

Price: Custom

Here are the additional services you’ll get over the Starter plan:

• Customer success advisor: When you opt for the highest-tier plan, Inc Authority will assign a dedicated account manager or customer success advisor for your account. They will be your point of contact for anything and everything you need to start your business, run it smoothly, and grow it successfully. They’ll answer all your questions promptly.

• Private banking expert: To manage your business finances you’ll need a good bank and a separate business bank account. Inc Authority will connect you with a private banking expert who can help you shortlist the best business banking options and even choose the right business bank account that suits your business needs.

• Personalized business advisory: Contrary to popular belief, Inc Authority is not just a business formation services provider. It not only helps you start a business but also partners with you to help it grow. Their business advisory services will ensure that you hit the ground running and start on the path to success from the very first day.

• Expedited preparation & filing: The key reason why you should choose this plan is same-day filing. While most businesses would have to wait for some days, depending on the number of clients at any given time, to get their application reviewed and filed. Clients on the Fasttrack plan are priority clients and their applications get filed within one day.

The first step in this guide on how to form an LLC in North Carolina is to choose a unique, memorable, and relevant business name. Also, ensure that the name you choose meets the naming guidelines of North Carolina, like the use or omission of certain words.

You will also need to check the state database to ensure that no other business is using your chosen name. Inc Authority’s business name search tool makes this process easy as you simply have to type in your name in a search box and enter to find matches.

Sometimes, the process of forming an LLC can take a long time, especially to prepare all the documents and understand all requirements. In such cases, it is best to reserve your business name so no one can use it while you’re busy preparing.

North Carolina, like most states, allows you to reserve your chosen business name for up to 120 days for a fee of $30. You need to use Form BE-03, not to be confused with Form BE-14, which is for officially registering the business name for ten years.

When you start an LLC in North Carolina, you’ll need a local registered agent who can receive all your business correspondence and legal documents. They should be available at the official address on weekdays, during regular business hours.

Inc Authority can provide you with a North Carolina registered agent for your business. It offers this service for free for the first year, even with the free plan. After that, you can choose to continue with the registered agent service for a nominal annual fee.

Before you register an LLC in North Carolina, you need to be clear about whether you should form a domestic LLC or a foreign LLC. If you’re forming an entirely new business and plan to run it within the state, you will need to form a domestic LLC.

If you already have an established business in another state and want to expand to North Carolina, you’ll need a foreign LLC. Also, depending on the number of LLC owners, you’ll need to decide whether to form a single-member LLC or a multi-member LLC.

If you want to run your business smoothly and avoid any conflict in how you manage your LLC, you need to create an LLC operating agreement. This is a document that lists all the rules of governance for your LLC, including how decisions will be made.

Your LLC operating agreement should include how profits will be divided, member roles and responsibilities, the process of how a member can get out, the process for dissolving the business, and other important rules for managing the business.

This is the step where you officially register your business with the North Carolina Secretary of State. You can submit your LLC formation application along with your  articles of organization online, via mail or fax, or even in person.

Inc Authority can help you with this by reviewing your application and ensuring there are no mistakes, checking if you have provided all the necessary documents, and filing the application and articles of organization on behalf of your business.

Every business needs an employer identification number as that’s what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses to identify a business. Just like individuals have social security numbers, businesses need employer identification numbers.

But that’s not all that an EIN is good for. You will need an EIN for opening a business bank account, getting funding for your business, hiring and paying employees, etc. You also need an EIN or Tax ID for paying the income taxes for your business.

Next, in this guide on how to start an LLC in North Carolina, you need to open a bank account for your business. A separate business bank account is a great way to manage your business finances and keep them separate from your personal finances.

There are many banks and business checking account options in the market, so you need to do some research before you choose one. Experts at Inc Authority can help you with that by giving you some great business banking options to choose from.

Once you register your business and get your certificate of formation, you’re legally allowed to run your business. However, you’ll need to acquire all the licenses and permits for your business as required by your county and state where you operate.

Check out the requirements for your specific type of business and your country and state permit requirements. These can range from general business licenses and professional licenses to fire permits, food permits, and even real estate permits.

An LLC in North Carolina can choose to be taxed as a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, S-Corp, or C-Corporation. This offers a lot of flexibility to a Limited Liability Company as there are numerous options for how you want your business to be taxed.

Most LLCs choose the default pass-through taxation option, in which the business income passes to the LLC members. Each member then pays the federal and state personal income taxes on their income from the business and any other sources.

We’ve covered all the essential steps involved in forming a Limited Liability Company in North Carolina. Now, let’s discuss some of the optional steps, which involve things that you should preferably take care of before you start running your business.

You can, for example, file for a DBA (doing business as) if you want to operate your business under a shorter, more catchy name. Official business names often include words like “LLC” or “Limited Company”, which are not the best for marketing purposes.

When you run a business, you need to establish a brand for your products and services. Brand marketing involves several brand elements like logo, brand colors, tagline, etc. that consumers can associate with the brand, creating a strong brand identity.

You can apply for a trademark to protect your brand. You can apply for state or federal trademarks for your business name, logo, etc. Inc Authority offers this as an add-on paid service and also offers the expedited e-filing service for a cost.

If you want to market your business and attract relevant customers, you need to build an SEO-friendly website. It not only helps new customers find your products and services but also helps them get the information they need about your business.

You also need a domain name matching your business or brand name. GovDocFiling has partnered with GoDaddy to give you the best deal on its web design and marketing services that you can use to build a high-converting website.

As soon as you receive your certificate of formation, you are legally allowed to start operating your LLC in North Carolina. After that, running your business and staying in good standing with the state is an ongoing process.

For that, you must comply with all the rules and regulations of the state and meet your compliance deadlines. This includes paying taxes on time, filing the annual report before the deadline, and meeting any other requirements.

Here are the features you’ll get with the free LLC formation plan:

• Business name search: You can use Inc Authority’s business name check tool to quickly search for your chosen business name and find matches, if any. This is quicker and easier than searching the state databases for the same.
• 1-year registered agent services: Every business must have a local registered agent who is available during business hours to receive any legal correspondence for the business. Inc Authority offers this service for free for the first year.
• Digital document management: With your Inc Authority account, you get the option to store and manage your business documents online. This helps you better manage your documents without the risk of damage or misplacement.
• Tax planning consultation: With the free plan, you will get a short tax planning consultation with an expert who’ll guide you through the process of planning your taxes in a way that helps you maximize your tax benefits.
• LLC formation: This is the key service that Inc Authority offers and is known for. Experts at Inc Authority will review your application and documents to ensure there are no mistakes and file them with the state on your behalf.
• S-Corp election and filing: If you wish for your LLC to be taxed as an S-Corp, Inc Authority can help you with that as well. They will help you fill out the s-election form, review your application, and submit it on your behalf.
• Business funding analysis: If your LLC needs sources of funding for business expansion or day to day operations, Inc Authority can help. Their team will assess your funding needs and provide you with relevant options.

If you want an easy, hassle-free, and affordable way to start an LLC in North Carolina, you can go with the free plan.

Price: Free

You will get these services with the Starter plan, in addition to the services offered in the free plan:

• LLC operating agreement: Experts at Inc Authority will help you draft a comprehensive LLC operating agreement that covers all important aspects of managing an LLC and making strategic business decisions.

• Tax ID Application: As part of its Starter Business Bundle, Inc Authority will help you obtain an EIN/Tax ID. This involves reviewing the paperwork and submitting it to the authorities on behalf of your business.

• Business forms and documents package: Every business needs different types of business documents for various purposes. Inc Authority’s documents package includes templates that you can use to prepare those documents.

• Compliance notifications: When you run an LLC in North Carolina, you need to stay compliant with the state’s regulations. To ensure you don’t miss any deadlines, Inc Authority will inform you of your requirements. 

• Detailed tax planning consultation: Unlike the brief consultation you get with the free plan, this would be more in-depth. You can ask questions and get a personalized consultation to help you best plan your taxes.

• Web domain + 5 business email addresses: If you want to run a successful business, you need a business website. Inc Authority can help you design an SEO-friendly website and also claim business email addresses.

Price: Custom

Here are the additional services you’ll get over the Starter plan:

• Customer success advisor: With this top-tier plan offered by Inc Authority, you will get a dedicated customer success advisor. They will guide you through the process of forming an LLC in North Carolina and running it successfully afterward. They’ll be your point of contact for anything and everything you need to take your business to the next level and help it grow.

• Private banking expert: As mentioned earlier, you’ll need a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate. With Inc Authority’s Fastrack plan, you’ll get access to an expert who will guide you through the various options you have for your business banking needs and will also help you make the right choice for your business.

• Personalized business advisory services: When you opt for this plan, you will get personalized business advisory services from the experts at Inc Authority. They will guide you not only through the initial stages of forming an LLC in North Carolina but even after. This includes helping you run your business more efficiently and growing your business.

• Expedited preparation & filing: One of the biggest advantages of opting for the top-tier plan is that you can get your North Carolina LLC application filed on the same day. Inc Authority gives first priority to its Fasttrack plan’s clients and files their applications on the same day, thus expediting the process.

If you want expedited business formation and personalized advisory services, then this is the best plan for you. However, if you just want North Carolina LLC formation services, no frills attached, then Inc Authority’s free plan is one of the best options for you.

First, you want to make sure that the business name you have in mind is unique. You’ll need a name that’s easily distinguishable from any other LLC or corporation name in the state. Also, ensure it follows Illinois naming guidelines.

Inc Authority offers to conduct your business name search with your state for free as part of their free LLC business registration package. To be on the safe side, have at least two potential names shortlisted before beginning this search.

If you’re not ready to file your Articles of Organization with your official name yet, you can reserve it. In Illinois, you can reserve your LLC name for up to 90 days. You’ll have to apply with the state to reserve a name by filling out Form LLC-1.15.

You need to pay $25 for a name reservation. You can also use the name of an LLC that was dissolved as long as it’s been three years since its dissolution. If you decide to register your articles of organization right away, you won’t need this step.

All LLCs in Illinois are required to have a registered agent to take care of all their legal correspondence. Your registered agent can either be a business entity authorized to operate in Illinois, or an individual located in the state.

They must have a physical address in Illinois. You’ll need to ensure that the name and address of your LLC’s registered agent are up to date in Illinois state records at all times. Inc Authority offers free registered agent services for a year.

Before forming your LLC in Illinois, you’ll need to decide on which form of LLC suits your business best. In Illinois for instance, you’ll have the option to create a Series LLC, unlike most other states. You can also create a foreign or a professional LLC.

Choosing an LLC type helps you determine the costs you’ll incur and the paperwork you’ll need to file. Series LLCs cost $400 to register, while professional LLCs cost an extra $50. Also, different LLC types require different licenses and permits.

To create an LLC in Illinois, you’ll need to file an Articles of Organization. You do this by filling out Form LLC-5.5 with the Illinois Secretary of State. This costs $150, and you can also request expedited filing for an extra $100 service fee.

By default, your LLC becomes legal when the Department of Business Services files your Articles of Organization. However, you can designate a later date, within 60 days after filing your Articles of Organization, to be your LLC’s official “birthday”.

Having an LLC operating agreement is not a legal requirement by the state of Illinois. However, it’s crucial that your limited liability company has one for internal use. LLC operating agreements differ in length and content, and vary by business.

An LLC operating agreement is a document that outlines the responsibilities, liabilities, powers, and obligations of LLC owners. Some items you can include are member rights, responsibilities, dissolution rules, percentage of ownership, etc.

The next step is getting your EIN, also known as a federal Tax Identification Number. An EIN is similar to a social security number but for your business. This 9-digit number is how the IRS identifies your business and determines your tax obligations.

Unless they choose to file taxes as a corporation, single-member LLCs don’t need to apply for an EIN as the IRS considers them a disregarded entity. This means that company income is treated as member income for federal tax purposes.

Every LLC needs to open a separate business bank account. This helps distinguish between personal income and business revenue and profits. It also makes it easy to track your business spending, and manage accounting and bookeeping.

You’ll be able to track your business’s cash flows, investments, expenses, tax deductions, and more. Also, you’ll be building a relationship with your bank account, making you eligible for credits and or loan funding in the long run.

Filing an Articles of Organization permits your company to legally operate in the state of Illinois, but is not the only legal requirement that you need to meet. When forming an Illinois LLC, you’ll need other federal and satte business licenses and permits.

Your county and city governments may require them and may impose restrictions regarding advertising, parking, and many more. Some depend on the industry your business is in. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with these regulations as well.

It’s important to stay compliant with state and federal requirements after formation. One way to do so is by filing your taxes on time to remain in the IRS’s good books. Another is by filing annual reports with the state to avoid penalties or dissolution. 

The due date for filing annual reports is the day before the first day of your company’s anniversary month. The state mails a printed version of your annual report to your registered agent roughly six months before this due date.

The premium packages include the Starter business bundle and the Fasttrack business bundle. Some services included in this package are:

• Operating agreement: Inc Authority will help you build a customizable operating agreement for your business. You’ll find items like dissolution rules, profit-sharing ratios, conflict resolution, and more.

• EIN/Tax ID number: Submitting an EIN application on the IRS page can be tedious. At a fee, Inc Authority takes this off your plate. You’ll need your EIN when submitting your payroll, or applying for a business bank account.

• Annual compliance notifications: Most new business owners often forget to stay compliant with state and federal regulations. Inc Authority keeps you up to date by making sure you don’t miss any important deadlines.

• Web domain and email addresses: If you’re planning to create a website for your business, this plan provides you with a web domain name matching your business name and five official email addresses for your business.

• Professional tax consultation: With a paid plan you’ll get in-depth tax analysis from Inc authority experts. Unlike the free tax analysis mentioned earlier, this offers more comprehensive ways to save income.

• Corporate forms package: When starting an LLC in Illinois, you’ll need to fill out different legal forms. You’ll also need various types of documents for your business operations. Inc authority’s corporate forms package helps with that.

Price: Custom

Here are the services offered as part of the Fasttrack package:

• Expedited filing: This premium package comes with expedited filing. If you’re in a hurry and need to file your articles of organization by a specific launch date, for example, this is the plan for you. Inc authority will complete and submit your application within the same day.

• Personalized business advice: This is another crucial perk of getting the Fasttrack plan. Inc Authority experts from different industries and areas of expertise will give you business advice and solutions that are specific to your business to help you scale and grow your business.

• Inc success advisor: With this plan, you’ll get an expert to take you through the entire business formation process. They’ll explain the steps to you in detail, offer advice on how to set your business up for success, and help get your business off the ground.

• Private banking specialist: As a new LLC, it’s crucial to open a separate business banking account for various reasons. With the private banking specialist option, you get expert advice on how to handle your business finances, which accounts to open, and much more.

Price: Custom

Besides formation and related services, Inc Authority offers other services for an additional fee. Here’s a quick overview of each package:

• Business Plan Creation: You’ll get a dedicated business planning advisor to help you map out your business’s future. They’ll help you with research, financial plan, mission statement, marketing analyses, and more.

• Website and Marketing: This is an Inc Authority paid package meant to help you get your business website up and running. You’ll get a private consultation with a website designer and a dedicated marketing specialist.

• Business funding: Inc Authority runs a business funding program called BizFunding Express. This is meant to help new businesses get easy access to working capital and short-term funding at low-interest rates. 

• Federal trademark: Inc Authority also provides federal trademark registration. This includes the US trademark availability and expedited online filing with the United States Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO).

• Business credit services: Inc Authority runs BizCredit Express. This is meant to build your business credit to maximize your score. You’ll get a business credit advisor who will take you through the process.

• Revocable living trust: This may not be business-related but you may want a revocable living trust for your assets. Without one, a deceased’s assets go through probate to settle claims and distribute assets.

Price: Contact sales

Your business name is the first thing customers notice about your LLC. So, ensure to choose a name that represents what your business stands for, now and in the future. Also, ensure the name is easy to pronounce and memorable for easy marketing. 

Once you pick a unique business name, you need to check if anyone else in the state is using it. Inc Authority’s Business Name Check service makes it easy to check if your preferred business name is available for use within the state of Florida.

This is a small but crucial step when forming an LLC in Florida. The State of Florida requires businesses to appoint a registered agent who will receive crucial legal or business documents and other official paperwork on behalf of the business. 

You can be your own registered agent, but it will be difficult to run your operations since agents are required to be present at the official address during working hours. Inc Authority provides free registered agent services for 1 year with all plans.

Filing your Articles of Organization makes your business official and allows you to carry out your operations legally. To accomplish this, you need to log into Florida’s Department of State website and submit the requested information online. 

The Florida LLC articles you need when filing your documents include your business name, your main business address, your registered agent info, and the purpose of your LLC. You can also submit an application via mail or in person as well.

When filing your documents with the state, you need to pay the state filing fees for your LLC in Florida. You will be charged a fee of $125 to register your LLC. Once paid, the state will process your documents and issue your LLC certificate.

Our trusted partner Inc Authority has decided to make it more affordable to form your Florida LLC. They have waived the service charge completely so you only have to pay the mandatory state fees and they will assist you to register your LLC for free.

The State of Florida will issue you with a Certificate of Formation that confirms that your business has been formally incorporated after your LLC formation documents were filed and approved. It authorizes you to conduct business in the state. 

Your LLC certificate demonstrates that no action is being taken to remove your business from the registry. As such you can use it to acquire an Employer Identification Number, the required business permits, and open a bank account.

A Florida LLC Operating Agreement is not a requirement, but it’s advisable to have one in place when setting up your business. An LLC Operating Agreement takes care of key issues like your business structure, financing, and decision-making. 

The agreement also clarifies which assets are personal and which belong to the business. This adds another layer of protection to your assets from business debt. The agreement also spells out the ownership percentages for easy profit distribution.

The law requires business owners with an LLC in Florida to register with the federal government by applying for a federal Employer Identification Number. Also known as Federal Tax ID, the EIN is a 9-digit code assigned by the IRS to US businesses.

The EIN is unique to every Florida LLC, thus protecting your business from fraud and identity theft. LLCs with more than one member or those with employees need an EIN for reporting employment taxes and other important business functions.

When you get your EIN, you can use it to open a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate. Separating your personal and business accounts will also help you when you file your business taxes. 

Additionally, a separate business bank account helps you create a relationship with your chosen bank. This can help you unlock many funding opportunities to grow your businesses, such as long-term loans, business credit cards, and other solutions. 

Obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for your LLC in Florida is crucial if you want to conduct business legally in the state. You can learn about the licenses you need for your business by visiting the Florida official Department of State website. 

Visit the relevant departments and pay for the licenses you need. Most of these are renewed annually, so note the renewal dates to avoid interruption. If you choose a paid plan, Inc Authority will send you those reminders when the dates get closer. 

If your Florida LLC has employees, you need to comply with the state’s obligations regarding employees. First of all, you are required to report all hires and rehires for your LLC to the Florida Department of Revenue within 20 days of employment.

Next, get workers’ compensation insurance for your LLC in Florida. All businesses in the state are required by law to obtain workers’ compensation as soon as they bring their fourth employee on board. Research and find the best policy for your LLC.