How To Start An Llc - A Simple Explanation

How to start a LLC differs from state to state. In general, the first step in launch an llc is submitting a 'statement of information'. This statement is also called an 'applicability report', and it helps to give legal details about the nature of the business, including its objective and business description, owners and control arrangements, management policies, etc. An LLC name or address is not legally required as far as how to start an llc is concerned. It's merely a request for registration of your business name in the LLC filed with the Secretary of State.

how to start an llc

 

To open and run an LLC in all states, you just have to pay a filing fee, file all the right documents, submit information about your LLC, and keep up compliance on an annual or quarterly basis. The main reason why most individual entrepreneurs prefer to form an LLC is to avail of the asset protection that members or owners obtain when running a properly structured LLC. Several LLCs are set up for the sole purpose of reducing personal income tax liabilities, by making sure that the business entities are taxed only once. In other words, an LLC helps the business owner to reduce his personal liability to the IRS. While in general it's difficult to identify a qualified business entity in the eyes of the IRS auditor, a well-structured LLC proves to be a viable option when dealing with business entities that fall under the personal debt tax bracket.

 

An LLC comes into being through the filing of an 'application for certificate of authority' with the Secretary of State. You can't incorporate your LLC without this filing fee. The application for certificate of authority must contain certain information like name of the Limited Liability Company, its registered agent and office, date of first operation, the business address of the LLC and its duration if any. The filing fee is non-refundable. Some States allow 'seed' groups of Limited Liability Companies called 'branching' that can be filed for free with the Secretary after meeting some state filing requirements.

How To Start An LLC - A Simple Explanation

 

The next step to start an LLC is the submission of the Articles of Organization which indicate that LLC has certain names or it will be known as another state's version of your company. Once this is done, an Operating Agreement is submitted along with the Operating Guidelines which outline when the LLC will be operational and what its business model is. Any important business terms must also be declared. There are different formats to follow depending on the state you are filing in and the number of members you expect to have. A good way to save time and money is by using an online legal service which handles all the paperwork needed to incorporate an LLC. Using a service will allow you to have the answers to all the questions you may have about filing for LLC and also saving you the time and energy to research the laws and procedures for your particular state.

 

Other important business documents include the Operating Agreement, Memorandum and Articles of Organization, Corporate Taxes, Annual Tax Return and Statement of Income, Statement of Capital, and the Bylaws. When these documents are submitted to the filing office, they need to be filed with the appropriate amendments. All of these documents are available online using a searchable database. Filing services will allow you to get your documents filed and have them filed accurately.

 

The next step to start an LLC is the filing of the Operating Agreement and by-laws. All LLCs must have a registered agent service, which is an individual or corporation that is appointed to serve as the LLC's representative. This person is responsible for making sure that all of the LLC's filings are correct and submitting them on time to the Secretary of State. If errors are made, the LLC will be forced to start all over again with new filings.

 

The next step to begin how to start an LLC is the filing of the Articles of Organization. All LLCs should include a complete copy of their operating agreement, its by-laws, and their IRS identification number. The purpose of this is for the IRS to know who owns the LLC, which will determine its eligibility for tax breaks.

 

The last thing to consider when learning how to start an LLC is paying the filing and annual fees. All LLCs should pay a filing fee and an annual report fee. The filing fee is usually required whether it is an "active" or "pass-through" business, and the annual report fee can be paid on a yearly basis or at the end of each year.

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