How to Start an LLC Online with 5 Easy Steps: From A to Z guide

Key features of an LLC

LLCs place among the most common business entities in the US thanks to their straightforward formation and distinct features. The regulations that govern an LLC will vary by state.

Specifically, an LLC is a legal business entity that has the combined characteristics of a partnership and a corporation:

• Members of an LLC that will be responsible for the company management have limited liabilities;
• An LLC has a separate legal personality from the members or owners;
• With pass-through taxation, an LLC’s profits and losses will be taxable as the personal income of the members.

Furthermore, you can count the number of salaries paid to members as the operating expenses. Thus, it can be directly deducted from the company’s profits.

How to start an LLC online

Smoothen the registration process by taking these instructions. Below are the 5 main steps to register an LLC remotely.

Step 1: Choose where to start the LLC

Among fifty states, how could you choose the right one to set up your LLC?

First, you must determine the business model of your company: online, brick-and-mortar, or hybrid. It will affect the tax amount you will pay for the company.

Sales tax and asset protection are the most-concerning issues when it comes to operating an eCommerce business.

After deciding the best marketplaces for your online business, you should choose a jurisdiction where you can minimize sales tax.

Moreover, there is a high possibility that your online business will get sued due to faulty delivery or product damage. Thus, choose a state where the asset protection laws are strong.

For related purposes, Delaware LLC is worth considering thanks to its high level of personal asset protection. You also don’t have to submit sales tax to the state for any purchases of your customers within the state. Another plus point is that the state doesn’t collect state income tax for income sourced out of the state border.

With brick-and-mortar businesses, the property tax is probably one of the top considerations. Then, a state that has a minimal tax rate for real estate is a good choice. Hawaii is the state with the lowest property tax rate in the US, which is 0.30%. Moreover, Wyoming, Alabama, and Delaware also have the best tax rate for properties.

Determining where you are going to transact the business is another important thing to consider. If you aren’t going to do business in the state of the LLC registration, pick a state that has a minimal tax regime such as no state income tax, and no personal income tax.

Step 2: Name your company

Usually, from the perspective of a business owner, a company name is to reflect brand identity. Particularly, it is not only about brand-related matters but also legal issues.

Two common terms regarding business names that you should be clear about are your entity name and Doing Business As (DBA) name.

A legal entity name is a name that you’ll register with the state for company registration. The name must comply with the state’s rules and regulations. A business name that fails to comply with the related requirements will lead to the failure of the company registration.

Most states will require the company name to:

• Be the unique name in the company register
• Follow the company act of the state of company registration

Besides, you can reserve your desired company name in most states to avoid being taken by other companies.

Being distinctly different from an entity name, a DBA name is a fictitious name that you want your customer to identify your brand as.

An LLC will be in need of a DBA name when you want to name a specific business branch. In this way, you don’t need to waste your time and resources to start a new business registration under another legal entity.

Typically, you must register the DBA name with the state of company formation following the related rules.

Step 3: Appoint a registered agent

Most US states will require you to have a registered agent to work on behalf of your company. The agent will act as the intermediary to receive legal documents and notices of your company from the state of registration.

Each state will have its requirements for the registered agent. Generally, a registered agent will be regulated as follows:

• Be an individual who is at least 18 years old or a registered legal entity;
• Be resident in the state of company formation;
• Have a physical address or office within the state where your company is formed; and
• Be available during business hours.

Some states require the registered agent to meet the licensing requirements.

Note that you can be your own registered agent if you satisfy all the aforementioned requirements.

Step 4: File Articles of Organization

Articles of Organization is a legal documents used to establish an LLC in a state. Some states have different ways to name the document such as Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization. You must file the document to the official department that is authorized to handle the company registration.

Each state will have an official department to receive and process all company registration applications. The department will be considered as the Secretary of State.

The first thing you need to do is check all required documents and information for filing. Below are the common requirements:

• Name and address of your company;
• Name and address of the registered agent;
• Names and addresses of the LLC members; and
• Your business purposes.

All states will have their own forms of Articles of Organization for registration. You can download the form via the state website. Then fill in the form and submit it to the Secretary of State with the required fees.

The Secretary will review if your business is qualified for the authorized Articles of Organization. They will contact you via the registered agent regarding the extra required information and the final result.

Note: Each state will have its own legal requirements for company registration. Therefore, for detailed information, you must do careful research on the company act of the state of business registration. This will help you increase your chances of getting an LLC.

Step 5: Proceed with additional procedures after the registration filing

Create an operating agreement (optional)

This is an agreement drafted by a professional or LLC member to manage all internal information and operations. It will regulate all business affairs of the LLC.

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

The number will be mandatory for tax identification purposes and bank account opening. You can obtain the number by submitting the related application to the IRS.

Satisfy licensing requirements

Failure to comply with the licensing requirements will result in heavy penalties or being forced to close the business. It is crucial to know the types of business licenses & permits that are subject to your business.

Open a bank account

You will need to manage payments and other business transactions of your LLC. In some cases, opening a local US bank account may be not eligible, especially for non-residents, then you can consider opening a business account with Electronic Money Institution (EMI).

An EMI account will act as an alternative to a bank account with the same basic functions. You can typically receive and perform all payments with the account. Common EMI accounts in the US are Wise account, Payoneer account, and Mercury account.

Try our banking tool to see the recommended solutions to manage your company payments.

Comply with tax and other reporting requirements. This is a complicated issue for most entrepreneurs. The requirements are different in every state. Failing compliance will cost you a fine.

For instance, Delaware LLC with a late due date for annual tax will be subject to a penalty of $200 plus 1.5% of interest each month on the penalty.

Besides, there is a possibility that your company will be forced to close the business.

The most common related requirements are annual tax and annual reports. Others may be Foreign Bank And Financial Accounts Report (FBAR) or Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

Note that some states don’t require LLCs to file annual reports such as Arizona. Moreover, Pennsylvania only requires LLCs to do the report every 10 years.

Costs for starting an LLC

Key costs that you must prepare for the online LLC registration are:

• LLC filing cost requires the Secretary of State, which will be usually around $40 and $800;
• Maintenance fees such as annual fees, franchise taxes, registered agent;
• Additional costs such as operating agreement drafting (if any), and publication*.

* Some states have requirements for publishing notices in specific newspapers at the state or county level.

Possible reasons why you may fail to register an LLC online

There are five main reasons for failure to obtain an LLC online:

• You don’t provide enough required information;
• You don’t submit required fees such as registration filing fees;
• Your company doesn’t meet licensing requirements;
• Your company doesn’t meet EIN requirements; or
• Your company doesn’t comply with tax and reporting requirements.

There are still more reasons why you are not able to own an LLC. Most of the causes that lead to registration failure are that business owners, especially fresh ones, try to perform the procedures by themselves. Without adequate knowledge of company incorporation and legal requirements, you will easily fail the online LLC formation.

Additionally, you may not be a qualified registered agent, and you have difficulty in finding a registered agent for your business incorporation. In this situation, you can always use a trusted service provider to take care of the company registration. They will resolve your problems inefficiently with their experiences and expertise.

The bottom line

It is undeniable that online registration of an LLC is preferred by most business owners as residents or non-residents. Still, you will need to learn how to start an LLC online carefully to achieve successful company formation.

Identifying an appropriate state of registration and requirements for a lawful LLC will help you own an LLC with ease. If you are not certain about the registration procedures, do engage professional formation services to relieve all worries.

All you need to do is supply the required information, and fees and wait for the result. BBCIncorp has valuable business partners to provide support in banking and tax filing. We also offer additional services upon request.

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