A limited liability company (LLC) is a popular business structure for small business owners as it’s cost-effective, tax-friendly, and scalable alongside your business operations.
You’ll need to file the required paperwork with your local secretary of state (SOS) to form an LLC.
The exact requirements vary from state to state, but overall establishing an LLC is a straightforward process.
Here are the step-by-step instructions explaining how to form an LLC.
Table of contents
- Select an incorporation state
- Choose a name for your LLC
- Choose and appoint a registered agent
- Decide on your management structure
- File Articles of Organization
- Prepare an operating agreement
- Register your LLC for tax purposes
- Obtain required business license and permits
- Key takeaways
- FAQ (Commonly asked questions)
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Step 1: Select an incorporation state
The U.S. has 50 states plus the District of Columbia (DC) and a few island territories like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
- How to Start an LLC in Alabama (AL)
- How to Start an LLC in Arizona (AZ)
- How to Form an LLC in Arkansas (AR)
- How to Start an LLC in California (CA)
- How to Start an LLC in Colorado (CO)
- How to Start an LLC in Connecticut (CT)
- How to Start an LLC in Delaware (DE)
- How to Start an LLC in Florida (FL)
- How to Form an LLC in Georgia (GA)
- How to Start an LLC in Idaho (ID)
- How to Start an LLC in Illinois (IL)
- How to Start an LLC in Indiana (IN)
- How to Form an LLC in Iowa (IA)
- How to Form an LLC in Kansas (KS)
- How to Form an LLC in Kentucky (KY)
- How to Start an LLC in Louisiana (LA)
- How to Form an LLC in Maine (ME)
- How to Start an LLC in Maryland (MD)
- How to Start an LLC in Massachusetts (MA)
- How to Start an LLC in Michigan (MI)
- How to Start an LLC in Minnesota (MN)
- How to Form an LLC in Mississippi (MS)
- How to Start an LLC in Missouri (MO)
- How to Form an LLC in Montana (MT)
- How to Form an LLC in Nebraska (NE)
- How to Start an LLC in Nevada (NV)
- How to Form an LLC in New Jersey (NJ)
- How to Form an LLC in New Mexico (NM)
- How to Start an LLC in New York (NY)
- How to Start an LLC in North Carolina (NC)
- How to Start an LLC in Ohio (OH)
- How to Start an LLC in Oklahoma (OK)
- How to Start an LLC in Oregon (OR)
- How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania (PA)
- How to Start an LLC in South Carolina (SC)
- How to Start an LLC in Tennessee (TN)
- How to Start an LLC in Texas (TX)
- How to Start an LLC in Utah (UT)
- How to Start an LLC in Virginia (VA)
- How to Form an LLC in Washington (WA)
- How to Start an LLC in Wisconsin (WI)
- How to Start an LLC in Wyoming (WY)
You can register your LLC in any of these locations, but starting your LLC where you live and do business is usually the best option for most new business owners.
If you plan to have operations (e.g., warehouse, storefront, employees, etc.) in other states, you’ll need to register your business as a foreign LLC in those states.
Out-of-state registrations mean you’ll need to comply with laws and regulations in both your home state and your registration state.
On the more positive side, you may be able to reduce your tax bill if you incorporate an LLC in a different state.
Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming are some of the best states to form an LLC for companies that want to limit their tax exposure legally.
In-state vs. out-of-state registration comparison | |
In-state | Out-of-state |
Only one set of state laws to comply with | Two or more sets of laws to comply with |
Registration fees may be more expensive | Registration may be cheaper |
Pay taxes in only one state | The tax bill can be cheaper or more expensive, depending on the state |
Step 2: Choose a name for your LLC
After determining the incorporation state for your business, you’ll need to research and select a legal name for your business. Below is a lowdown of the main steps.
1. Conduct a name availability search
No two companies can operate under the same (or similar sounding) business name. Thus, you’ll need to check if your selected business name is available for registration.
Most states have a business name search tool on the Secretary of State website.

Note: Since your LLC name will have to appear on customer-facing assets (your website, receipts, etc.), aim for an easy-to-remember, brandable business name.
2. Check name requirements
Also, many states don’t allow to include words such as “corporation” or “incorporated” into an LLC name since this may create confusion. You should also avoid words that may be misleading.
For example, you can’t name your LLC “IRS, LLC” because it could be confused with the Internal Revenue Service.
Likewise, you’re often not allowed to use wording that indicates belonging to certain types of entities, e.g., “bank” or “trusts,” unless you operate as one.
For example, to use words like “Doctor” or “Lawyer” in the company name, you may need to have a licensed individual among the members of your LLC.
3. Consider a name reservation
If you have a business name that’s available in your state, but you’re not quite ready to file your LLC paperwork, most will let you reserve a name for a period of 60 to 120 days on average.
While the name is secured, no other business can apply to use it.
To obtain a name reservation for an LLC, you’ll need to fill in a respective form and pay a state fee.
Given that over 4.4 million new businesses were registered in the US last year, reserving a name makes a lot of sense.
4. Decide if you need a DBA
DBA is short for “doing business as.” Also called trade, assumed, or fictitious name, this document lets you use another name for your operations.
For example, instead of adding “Alex LLC” to your billing, you can use “Software Gem.”
A DBA is a way to brand your business but offers no legal protection to your personal assets.
So if you’re a sole proprietor who registers your trade name in your state, you’re still legally a sole proprietor. Your legal business name doesn’t change.
Forming an LLC provides the personal liability protection you won’t receive as a sole proprietor who operates under a fictitious name.
Step 3: Choose and appoint a registered agent
A registered agent, also known as a statutory or resident agent, is a person or business designated to receive service of process or other official mail and legal documents on behalf of your company.
Anyone meeting your state’s requirements can act as your registered agent. Generally, there’s a minimum age requirement (18+ years).
Also, the agent must be available during regular business hours at a physical location at an address in the state you’re registered in.
Registered agent costs
You have three options for appointing a registered agent:
- Act as one yourself
- Designate another LLC member or company employee
- Use a professional registered agent service
Using a registered agent service will cost you up to a few hundred dollars a year. But appointing the business owner or an employee won’t cost anything extra.
Some states (e.g., Florida) charge a fee for changing registered agents. But the initial appointment of an agent is generally bundled into the state filing fee for the Articles of Organization.
Step 4: Decide on your management structure
An LLC is a business entity. Respectively, it should have a proper business governance structure.
Depending on your company headcount, you may want to:
- Manage your LLC on your own (or with other LLC members)
- Appoint an LLC manager
Member-managed LLCs
It’s the more common management structure since most LLCs are small businesses and don’t need a separate “layer” of oversight (a board or a CEO). Plus, most don’t have the funds for that.
In member-managed LLCs, all members share responsibility for the day-to-day operations of running the business.
You can designate a specific role and scope of duties to each member within the operating agreement.
Manager-managed LLCs
Manager-managed LLCs can delegate some of the member’s responsibility to another LLC member or a non-member, a hired professional manager, for example.
It’s common in LLCs, where some members prefer to be passive investors and not actively participate in running the business.
Opting for a manager-managed LLC is best for:
- Large LLCs with many owners
- LLCs with passive investors
- Business owners who wish to maintain privacy (since all managers must be included in corporate filings, which become publicly available)
Managers are usually appointed from among the members, but you can also hire an outside professional.
Step 5: File Articles of Organization
Now that you’ve settled on your company name, registered agent, and management structure for your LLC, it’s time to form your company officially.
Every state requires you to file Articles of Organization, also referred to as Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization, with the Secretary of State (or an equivalent government agency) as the core step of company formation.
In general, you’ll need to provide the following information:
- Business name, address, and contact information
- Business purpose
- Registered agent contact information
- LLC management structure
- Member names and contact information
LLC formation times vary depending on the state. Those that accept digital filings can approve your Articles of Organization within several days.
Mailed-in and in-person submissions can take up to several weeks. Many states offer expedited processing (from 1-day to 2-hours) for an extra fee.
LLC filing fees vary but can be as little as $40 and as high as $500.
Step 6: Prepare an operating agreement
Only certain states legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement. Nevertheless, if you’re registering an LLC in another state, having one is a good idea.
The operating agreement spells out the financial and management rights and responsibilities of the LLC members. It addresses matters like:
- How can membership interest be transferred
- Who contributes what if the LLC needs additional capital
- When and how profits are distributed
- What happens when an LLC member wants to leave the business
Having an operating agreement is crucial for multi-member LLCs as it specifies ownership percentages and can help prevent disputes between members.
Without an agreement, your LLC will be governed by the default rules and laws of your state. And this could lead to undesirable consequences.
Step 7: Register your LLC for tax purposes
The dreaded part of running a business is paying taxes. You’ll need to consider how both federal and state taxes will impact your company.
Federal taxes
By default, all single-member LLCs are taxed as a sole proprietorship. LLCs with more than one member are taxed as general partnerships.
Default federal taxation of LLCs | |
Number of members | Default taxation |
1 | Sole proprietorship |
2+ | Partnership |
Both the sole proprietorship and the partnership provide pass-through taxation.
That means that the company pays no federal income tax. All corporate profits “pass-through” to the members and will be taxed on the individual’s tax return.
But LLC members can elect to get another tax classification with the IRS. Such as:
- S-corp
- C-corp
S-corporations
By choosing to have your LLC taxed as an S-corp, which is short for “small corporation,” you can receive some tax benefits.
That’s because all corporate profits from sole proprietorships or partnerships are subject to the 15.3% self-employment tax and your personal income tax rate.
By contrast, business income from an S-corp isn’t subject to self-employment tax. Instead, you’ll pay taxes on profits distributed as a salary and then a respective personal income tax rate. Taking this route can be a more cost-effective option in some cases, especially if you don’t intend to cash out all profits.
However, S-corp taxation may not work for every business type. Be sure to check with your tax professional about whether it’s right for your LLC.
C-corporations
You can also choose to have your LLC taxed as a C-corporation or large corporation. This tax classification is best for companies that expect to grow and have more than 100 investors, which is the limit for S-corps.
The downside to being taxed as a C-corp is that you’ll be double-taxed because tax is charged at the corporate level and again at the individual shareholder level.
Payroll taxes
If you have employees, your company will be responsible for paying federal payroll taxes, including:
- FICA tax (commonly known as the Social Security and Medicare taxes)
- Federal unemployment tax (FUTA)
Employer identification numbers
To report federal taxes, you’ll need to get a federal employer identification number (FEIN) from the IRS as an LLC. This number will act as a Social Security number for your business and is needed to open a business bank account.
Getting one doesn’t cost anything, you can apply online, and your EIN will be immediately issued when you complete the application.

State taxes
At the state level, LLCs can be responsible for several types of taxes too, including:
- Annual franchise taxes
- Sales tax
- State corporate income taxes
Franchise taxes
Franchise taxes are also known as privilege taxes and are levied by some states on businesses operating within the borders.
Contrary to what the name may imply, a franchise tax isn’t imposed on a franchise. Despite their line of operations, all qualifying legal entities must pay it for the right to exist and do business in a particular state.
Sales tax
If your company sells taxable goods or services, you’ll need to collect sales tax from your customers and remit that tax to the state.
Some states collect statewide sales tax only. Others also do so on a county-city level.
Per Tax Foundation:
- 45 states and the District of Columbia levy statewide sales taxes.
- 38 states collect local sales taxes too. They can sometimes rival or even exceed state rates.
- The five states with the highest combined sales tax rates are Tennessee (9.53%), Louisiana (9.52%), Arkansas (9.47%), Washington (9.21%), and Alabama (9.22%).
To collect and remit state and local sales taxes, you’ll need to register with a local tax authority and sometimes obtain a sales business license.
State income tax
Most states have a corporate income tax charged on company profits. But unlike most federal income taxes, this tax is paid by the LLC.
And some states impose a tax on your company’s revenue, not on its net income. These types of taxes are commonly called gross receipts taxes.
Payroll taxes
If you have employees, you’ll have state payroll taxes to pay, which can include:
- State unemployment tax
- Headcount or employer privilege tax
Again, check with a local tax authority to learn about your obligations.
Step 8: Obtain required business license and permits
LLCs don’t need to apply for a blanket business license at the formation stage in most states.
But when you start operating your business, you may need a business license or special permit.
Some of the industries requiring business licenses include:
- Agriculture
- Restaurants
- Childcare centers
- Law
- Medicine
- Accounting
- Plumbing
Check with your state and local government offices to determine if your type of business needs a license.
Commonly asked questions (FAQ)
Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding LLC formation.

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