Source:https://moneybrighter.com/how-to-start-an-llc

How to Start an LLC: An LLC or Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a business structure offering the benefit of limited liability protection along with flexible tax options. Here are the simple steps on how to start an LLC.

On this page, you’ll learn about the following:

• How to Form an LLC
  • STEP 1: Select A State
  • STEP 2: Name Your LLC
  • STEP 3: Choose a Registered Agent
  • STEP 4: File LLC Formation Documents
  • STEP 5: Create an LLC Operating Agreement
  • STEP 6: Get an EIN
• Other Things to Do After Starting an LLC
  • Separate Personal Assets From Business
  • Set Up Business Accounting
  • Get Licenses and Permits
  • Understand Your LLC’s Federal Tax Options
  • Register Your LLC for State Taxes
  • Get Business Insurance
• LLC Formation Review
• F.A.Qs

How to Form an LLC

Setting up an LLC is relatively straightforward. You can save a significant amount of time with these simple – but essential – steps. 

STEP 1: Select A State

Ideally, your LLC is better located in the state where you live or where you plan to do business. However, if your business will operate in different states, you will have to register a foreign LLC in the other states where you plan to do business.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• D.C.
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas

• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina

• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

STEP 2: Name Your LLC

You first need to choose a name for your LLC. To do this, check out the name availability. You can typically do this at the secretary of state website. Meanwhile, here are the naming requirements:

• The company name should include “limited liability company” or abbreviations like LLC or L.L.C.
• The company name should not include words that might confuse your company name with any government agency (i.e., FBI, State Department, Treasury, etc.).
• Words like Bank, Attorney, University, and some others are restricted and may require additional paperwork on top of a licensed individual like a doctor or lawyer as part of the company

Check out other details about choosing a name on the How to Name a Business guide.

STEP 3: Choose a Registered Agent

A registered agent is someone who or an organization processes legal documents on your company’s behalf. The documents would include official correspondences like state filing notices and legal summons.

All states generally require businesses to nominate a registered agent when forming an LLC. Remember that your registered agent should be a resident of the state where you are operating your business or a corporation authorized to do business in your selected state.

Learn more about Registered Agents so that you’ll know what to look for when choosing your agent, and check out the LLC services that provide you professional registered agent service.

STEP 4: File LLC Formation Documents

Formation documents are vital to creating an official LLC. There are different names to this document, depending on the state: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization. You file this at the Secretary of State. You can file either online or by mail, and the filing fee, on average, would be about $100.

STEP 5: Create an LLC Operating Agreement

The LLC operating agreement is not mandatory, but it is encouraged. This legal document outlines the organizational structure and roles of members of your LLC. Take note that you should have already decided if your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed.

Here are the six main sections of an operating agreement:

• Capital Contributions
• Dissolution
• Distributions
• Management and Voting
• Membership Changes
• Organization

Learn more about LLC Operating Agreement to file it properly.

STEP 6: Get an EIN

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. Some would call it Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN). It’s like a Social Security number (SSN) for your LLC. The EIN Is vital when you plan to hire employees or open a business bank account.

There is no fee associated with getting an EIN, and you can do it via the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. You can learn more about EIN from our articles on what an EIN is and why you need EIN.

Other Things to Do After Starting an LLC

There is more to forming an LLC. You’ll have to deal with your assets and taxes. Here are other important things to address when starting an LLC.

Separate Personal Assets From Business

Your LLC offers limited liability protection. It is vital to use dedicated business banking and credit accounts to avoid mixing them with your personal accounts. Otherwise, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) would be at risk if your LLC gets sued.

Set Up Business Accounting

It is vital to have a business accountant who will help you take advantage of tax benefits. It will save you and your business tons of money in taxes annually.

Get Licenses and Permits

You need to check if your business will require licenses or permits so that you can stay compliant. Licensing requirements would vary per state and county or city laws.

Understand Your LLC’s Federal Tax Options

LLCs get taxed as pass-through entities. It means all of the business’s profit goes through the LLC member’s tax returns. It is then the member who pays self-employment taxes and income tax on their share of business income after tax.

Meanwhile, LLCs can also be taxed as S corporations (S corps) or C corporations (C corps). The former allows LLC members to be taxed as employees. It reduces the tax burden in certain circumstances.

Register Your LLC for State Taxes

There are several taxes that you might need depending on the nature and location of your business.

• If you are selling a physical product, you’ll register your company for sales & use tax.
• If you have employees, then you need unemployment insurance tax and employee withholding tax.
• You may also be required to file an annual report or biennial report.

You can find out more from our tax guide article.

Get Business Insurance

Generally, businesses with employees must get workers’ compensation insurance. Meanwhile, general liability insurance is not a legal requirement, but it is highly recommended to protect your business assets from lawsuits.

LLC Formation Review

Time needed: 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Just to recap the step-by-step tool, here is how you form an LLC. Click on the steps in this list to read the full detail.

1. Choose a stateThe first thing you should do is to choose the state where you will operate your LLC because requirements vary per state.
   
2. Name your LLCNext, you must do is to choose a company name, which should include the phrase “limited liability company,” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
   
3. Choose a registered agentIn most states, it is mandatory to select a registered agent for your LLC. You can check out our list of our 5 Best LLC Services in the United States.
   
4. File formation documentsFiling a formation certificate is necessary when forming an LLC. Depending on the state, it could be called any of the following: Certificate of Formation, Articles of Organization, or Certificate of Organization.
   
5. Create operating agreementAn operating agreement is not a strict requirement but something encouraged when you start an LLC.
   
6. Get an EINThe Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called  Federal Tax Identification Number, serves to identify a business entity like a social security number but for a company.
   

F.A.Qs

What are some benefits of an LLC vs. sole proprietorship?

Much unlike a sole proprietorship, an LLC is a separate entity from its owner. Sole proprietors generally benefit from converting their business to an LLC, which offers liability protection, not to mention inexpensive to start and maintain. Meanwhile, only businesses with zero liability must operate as sole proprietorships since there is no legal separation between a sole proprietor and the business.What are the advantages and disadvantages of an LLC?

An LLC or limited liability company protects your personal assets and increases your business’s credibility. These are the most straightforward and most affordable legal business entities in terms of formation and maintenance. However, LLCs aren’t ideal when attracting investors.Can you start an LLC on your own?

Definitely, you can start an LLC by yourself by following our LLC formation guides.What is the average cost to set up an LLC?

Depending on the state where you plan to operate your business, the cost of creating an LLC would vary. It could range from $50 and $500 to form an LLC, and some $100 annually to maintain.