Did you know that starting an LLC in Michigan can quite simple and straightforward?
If you’re considering how to start a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Michigan, you’d be in good company!
But first, you’ll need to learn about the Michigan state rules and regulations that lay out the requirements for forming your LLC.
Here's a detailed primer on navigating the LLC formation process in Michigan.
6 Steps to Start an LLC in Michigan
- Step 1: Choose a business name for your Michigan LLC
- Step 2: Sign up for a registered agent
- Step 3: File the Michigan LLC articles of organization
- Step 4: Acquire an Employer Identification Number from the IRS
- Step 5: Prepare an LLC operating agreement
- Step 6: Open a Michigan business bank account
Last updated: May 2023Start your LLC the easy way
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Last updated: May 2023Step 1: Start by choosing a name for your LLC
First things first, your newly minted business will need to go by a legal name.
Michigan state authorities urge you to choose a distinguishable business name. Otherwise, they may deny your registration. A business name is deemed unique when it doesn’t sound too close to another company registered in the state. To verify the above, use Michigan’s Business Entity Search feature.
Apart from the brand bit, your MI LLC’s business name must also include one of the following designations (or abbreviations) at the end:
- Limited Liability Company
- LLC
- L.C.
- LC
- L.L.C.
Reserve your LLC business name
If your preferred business name for your LLC in MI is available, then you can file for a name reservation to claim dibs on it. Doing so prevents others from taking it for six months. You can make the name reservation by mail or online. The state fee is $25.
Assumed name (optional)
Suppose you prefer to use a different name from your officially registered business name when your LLC conducts business. In that case, you can apply for an assumed name, also called fictitious name, doing business as (DBA).
You must register the assumed name with the Michigan commercial licensing bureau by filing a form and paying a $25 filing fee. You can submit it online or by mail.
Step 2: Sign up for a registered agent
All Michigan LLCs must have a registered agent. This person will have an office location listed and will receive official LLC communications.
The registered agent requirements are straightforward:
- A company or person 18 years of age or older
- Located in the state of Michigan
- At a physical street address (no P.O. boxes are permitted)
- Are available during regular business hours.
Some LLC owners choose to act as their own registered agents. It’s allowed so long as they will be present at a physical street address in MI and available to receive mail during business hours (9 am – 5 pm).
The registered agent will receive all legal mail — this is also referred to as Service of Process for your LLC. The registered agent and office location are listed in the LLC articles of the organization filed with MI.
Commercial Registered Agent Service
Business owners can list themselves or a friend as a resident agent to act as the LLC's registered agent. Or you may choose to hire a registered agent service in Michgan — a private company that you pay on an annual basis to handle your legal communication. The cost of such services in Michigan is about $100-$300 per year.
Step 3: File the Michigan LLC articles of organization
The LLC articles of organization filing with the Michigan Corporation Division are the cornerstone of forming your LLC. You can either submit an online form or print it out and mail it.
The standard filing fee is $50.
On top, you can choose to pay extra for expedited service. The current expedited LLC filing fees in Michigan are as follows:
- $100 — same-day formation documents processing
- $500 — two-hour formation documents processing (if filed before 3 pm)
- $1,000 — one-hour formation documents processing (if filed before 4 pm)
Requirements of information to include
The Articles of Organization for your LLC must include:
- The LLC business name
- The purpose of the LLC
- For a professional LLC, list the professional services your LLC will provide
- Duration for the LLC (if not perpetual)
- Registered agent’s name
- Registered office address
- Signature(s) and name(s) of the LLC’s organizers
Special considerations
Note that for professional LLCs in Michigan, the following requirement is included in the Articles of Organization:
For LLCs that are not professional LLCs, the Michigan Corporations Division clarifies:
Processing Time
Once the Articles of Organization form is received, the processing time for your LLC's approval is about 5-10 business days. However, this can vary on other factors, such as if the office is experiencing a backlog or has any questions. Also, expect a faster turnaround if you file online instead of by mail.
If the above is too long, you can pay extra for expedited company formation — same day, in two hours, in one hour.
Step 4: Acquire an Employer Identification Number from the IRS
The next step is to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for your LLC. It is a unique 9-digit number primarily used to identify your LLC on tax filings. Single-member LLCs without any employees may choose to use the business owner's social security number instead.
In other cases, here’s when you would need an EIN:
- Your LLC has more than one business owner
- To use your LLC's tax ID on federal, state, and local income tax filings
- If you hire employees, it’s a required tax ID for IRS and state tax filings
- To obtain a business bank account
- If your LLC must register to pay sales tax
Remember, obtaining an EIN is simple and done online via the IRS's free filing service. You also receive your number immediately.
Step 5: Prepare an LLC operating agreement
Michigan has no formal requirement that a new business LLC file a copy of an operating agreement with their office. Nor is there a requirement by Michigan that LLCs must have this agreement at all. Yet, it still makes sense to draft one if you have more than one LLC member (owner).
An operating agreement stipulates the baseline provisions in regards to how different decisions are made in your company. Specifically:
- Ownership share of each business member
- LLC’s standard operating procedures,
- Responsibilities for each member and their roles in the LLC
- Each member’s rights (such as with profit distributions),
- Capital contributions
- Provisions on personal liability and personal assets
- LLC management practices
Plus, any other provisions as deemed necessary for your type of business and by the LLC’s members.
This legal document can protect each owner’s interest in the LLC should a dispute arise. Hopefully, it will prevent such conflicts in the first place by laying out clear expectations for everyone.
If an LLC doesn’t have an operating agreement, then Michigan state law will guide the roles and responsibilities of the members and the operations of the LLC.
How to prepare an operating agreement?
There are many operating agreement templates available online. So you may want to grab and customize one for your needs. However, if your LLC ownership structure is more complicated, you may seek professional legal help to prepare your operating agreement.
Step 6: Open a Michigan business bank account
Setting up a business bank account for your LLC isn’t a legal MI requirement. But it’s a must-do to prevent any legal mishaps down the operating road.
Your LLC assets must be separate from the members’ personal assets (or business owners) to ensure personal liability protection. Why? Because financial comingling can result in a “piercing of corporate veil” — an event that effectively nullifies the limited liability your company extends towards your personal assets.
So don’t skim on getting a business bank account early on. Also, this saves time when taxes are due. If expenses or assets become commingled, it’s more challenging to deduct legitimate business expenses. Also, it may put your personal assets at risk for covering business liabilities.
How much will it cost you to open a bank account?
The costs of opening a business bank account in Michigan will vary based on the number of users, the amount deposited, features, and the issuance of checks or credit/debit cards. Overall, expect to pay about $14 a month for a basic business bank account. Most banks issue a decision as to whether a business bank account may be opened very promptly upon the filing of the application.
Michigan LLC FAQs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about forming an LLC in Michigan.
Last updated: May 2023Start your LLC the easy way
Forming your LLC is a checkbox that needs to be ticked. Easy, fast and worry-free. We reviewed the 13 most popular LLC formation services to figure out who truly understands what new founders need. Our recommendation:
We don’t make up scores.
Best LLC Service 2022
- Formed 1,000,000+ LLCs
- $39 formation includes registered agent service
- Fast formation & same day filing
- Exceptional customer reviews
Last updated: May 2023