Form Your LLC
Protect Your Business

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a business structure that separates your personal assets from business liabilities. This means your home, savings, and personal property are protected if your business faces lawsuits or debts. LLCs also offer tax flexibility (avoid double taxation), simple management (fewer formalities than corporations), and professional credibility with customers and partners. It's the most popular business structure in America for small to medium businesses.

Our all-inclusive service fee is $149 (Complete package) or $349 (Premium Plus). State filing fees vary by state, ranging from $40 (Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts). Most states charge $100-200. Our Complete package includes: state filing, name check, operating agreement, EIN application, document vault, and lifetime compliance support. Premium Plus adds registered agent (1 year), state tax ID, certified copies, good standing certificate, and 2-hour priority filing.

Sole proprietorships offer NO liability protection - you and your business are legally the same. If your business is sued or goes into debt, creditors can seize your personal assets (home, car, savings). An LLC creates a legal separation, protecting personal assets. LLCs also look more professional, make it easier to get business loans, allow multiple owners, and can choose how they're taxed. The small cost of forming an LLC is worth the protection.

State processing times vary: some states approve in 1-3 business days (Delaware, Wyoming), while others take 2-4 weeks (California, New York). Most states process in 5-10 business days. Our Premium Plus package includes 2-hour internal processing - we file your documents within 2 hours. You can also add state expedited processing in most states for faster approval (additional state fees apply, typically $50-200).

Yes! You can form an LLC in any state regardless of where you live. Popular out-of-state formations: Delaware (strong legal protections), Wyoming (low fees, privacy), Nevada (no state income tax). However, if you do business in your home state, you may need to foreign qualify (register) there too, requiring fees in both states plus registered agents in both. For most small businesses, forming in your home state is simplest and most cost-effective.

While not required by all states, an operating agreement is ESSENTIAL. It defines: ownership percentages, profit/loss distribution, voting rights, management structure, buyout procedures, and what happens if a member leaves or dies. Without one, state default rules apply - often unfavorable. Banks usually require it to open accounts. It prevents disputes between members. We include a professionally drafted, customized operating agreement free with our Complete and Premium Plus packages.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a federal tax ID for your business, like a Social Security number. You NEED an EIN if you: have employees, have multiple members, elect corporate taxation, or open a business bank account (almost all banks require it). Even single-member LLCs benefit from an EIN - use it instead of your SSN for business, protecting your personal identity. We apply for your EIN free with all packages, typically receiving it within 1-2 business days.

Most states require: (1) Annual or biennial reports filed with the state ($50-$300/year depending on state). (2) Franchise taxes or LLC fees (varies by state - some have none, others charge based on revenue). (3) Maintaining a registered agent. (4) Keeping records of major decisions. (5) Filing tax returns (federal and state). We provide a lifetime compliance calendar that tracks ALL your deadlines and sends reminders 60 and 30 days before they're due. Never miss a deadline.

Yes! Single-member LLCs are very common and provide the same liability protection as multi-member LLCs. For federal taxes, single-member LLCs are treated as sole proprietorships (disregarded entities) by default - you report income on Schedule C of your personal return. You can elect corporate taxation if beneficial. Single-member LLCs still need an operating agreement (defines what happens if you sell, die, or add members) and should get an EIN for banking.

LLCs: simpler management, flexible taxation (no double taxation by default), fewer formalities, easier to maintain. Corporations: more structure, required board meetings and minutes, double taxation (company pays tax, then shareholders pay tax on dividends) unless S-Corp status elected, better for raising venture capital. For most small businesses, LLCs offer the best balance of protection, simplicity, and tax benefits. Corporations make sense for tech startups seeking VC funding or businesses planning to go public.

There's no maximum limit - an LLC can have one member or thousands. Single-member LLCs are common for solo entrepreneurs. Multi-member LLCs can have 2, 5, 10, 100+ members. Each member can have different ownership percentages. Your operating agreement defines member rights, voting power, and profit distribution. Some states (like California) charge higher fees for LLCs with many members. Adding or removing members doesn't require state filing - just update your operating agreement.

Every LLC must have a registered agent - a person or company with a physical address in your formation state who receives legal documents and state notices. You can serve as your own agent, but using a professional service ($99/year) keeps your home address private on public records, ensures you never miss important documents, and maintains availability during business hours. Our Premium Plus package includes the first year free. We offer service in all 50 states.

Yes, but you may need to foreign qualify (register as a foreign LLC) in each additional state where you have substantial presence: physical office, employees, inventory, or regular in-person business activities. Foreign qualification requires: filing with each state ($100-300/state), registered agent in each state ($99/year/state), and annual reports in each state. Online businesses selling to customers nationwide usually don't need foreign qualification unless they have physical presence.

By default, LLCs are pass-through entities for federal taxes. Single-member LLCs are taxed as sole proprietorships (report on Schedule C). Multi-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships (file Form 1065, members receive K-1s). All profit passes to members' personal tax returns - the LLC itself doesn't pay federal income tax. This avoids corporate double taxation. However, members pay self-employment tax (15.3%) on LLC income. You can elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation if beneficial.

S-Corp election makes sense when your LLC profit exceeds ~$60-80K/year. Benefits: you pay yourself a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes) and take remaining profits as distributions (no self-employment tax on distributions). This can save $5,000-15,000+ annually in taxes. Tradeoffs: payroll complexity, required payroll tax filings, and accounting costs. We offer S-Corp election filing ($75) but recommend consulting your accountant first to analyze if it's beneficial for your situation.

Member-managed: all members (owners) participate in day-to-day operations and have authority to bind the LLC. This is default and most common for small LLCs. Manager-managed: members appoint one or more managers (can be members or outsiders) to run the business. Other members are passive investors. Useful when you have silent partners, investors who don't work in the business, or want professional management. Your operating agreement defines the structure and authority levels.

Yes! LLCs can hire employees just like any other business. You'll need: (1) EIN from the IRS. (2) State employer registration. (3) Payroll tax setup (withholding, Social Security, Medicare). (4) Workers' compensation insurance (required in most states). (5) Unemployment insurance registration. (6) Proper payroll system for tax compliance. Hiring your first employee triggers multiple compliance requirements. We can connect you with payroll specialists to ensure everything is set up correctly.

This depends on your operating agreement. Without one, state default rules apply (often requiring dissolution). A good operating agreement includes succession planning: who inherits your ownership, buyout procedures for heirs, continuation of the LLC, and management during incapacity. You can also use estate planning tools like revocable trusts to hold LLC interests. Planning ahead prevents family conflicts, business disruption, and forced liquidation. Our operating agreements include basic succession provisions.

Yes! Conversion process: (1) Form the new LLC. (2) Transfer business assets and contracts to the LLC. (3) Update business licenses and permits. (4) Notify vendors, customers, and partners. (5) Close sole proprietorship accounts and open LLC accounts. (6) Update marketing materials and website. The LLC is a new entity, so you're technically starting fresh legally. Any existing contracts should be assigned to the LLC (may require consent). We can help form your LLC and provide a transition checklist.

Professional LLCs (PLLCs) are required in most states for licensed professionals: doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, therapists, dentists, veterinarians, and other licensed occupations. PLLCs have the same liability protection and tax benefits as regular LLCs but with additional requirements: all members must be licensed in the profession, you may need regulatory board approval, and professional liability still applies (LLC protects you from business debts, but not malpractice). We handle PLLC formations including licensing documentation.