4 Easy Steps to Incorporate Your Business

by Shelbra long | on June 13, 2013

Do you want to incorporate your business and don’t know how to do it?

So many people would like to open a small business, but have no experience. There are plenty of companies that will assist you for a fee. I am here to tell you exactly how to do it and save a ton of money.

All new LLCs must file an Articles of Organization with their secretary of state’s office. This is usually just a short form that asks for the names of the LLC and its members and their contact information. The filing fee can range from $30 to $200. A few states also have other registration requirements. You can find the rules and fees involved at your secretary of state’s office.

Steps

1. Reserve a Business Name

Visit the Corporations Division at the Secretary of State Office. You may be prompted to open an online account using your name, phone number and address due to fraudulent activities. This form is basically asking for the owner’s name and address and the registered agent’s name and address. If you are applying for this name reservation and the articles of organization, then you are the registered agent. Hint: It is wise to choose a name that is relative to your type of business, so that customers can easily find your business in the online/phone directories. The cost is generally from $25 to $50.

2. Employee Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID

Visit irs.gov. Click the link to EIN online application. Begin Application. Please read all the information. If you are filing for an LLC, then check the designated box. Enter the number of members. Select your State. Click started a new business, Click Individual.Enter your name and address. Enter the companies name and address. Save and print.

3. Articles of Organization – Return to The Corporations Division at the Secretary of State Office. You may be prompted for your user name and password that you created before. Go to file a corporation on line. Choose limited liability company (LLC). This is a relatively easy form to fill out. Basically you are entering your personal contact information as well as the registered agent and owners. It will seem redundant, however it pertinent to give the correct information. If you choose to enter additional information about your company, then you may do so. Directions are also posted online; it can helpful to print this step by step information. Caution: there maybe 24 hour wait period for the name reservation confirmation. After receiving confirmation on your name reservation, then apply for your Articles of Organization. The cost is generally from $30 to $200.

4. Business License

You may apply for a business license city or county government office, this will depend on the geographical location of your business. Your local government agency will require identification, a letter from owner of the property where the business resides, and more. If this is a home office and you are basically operating a multi-level marketing (mlm) or home based business with hardly any traffic, then it is a good idea to inform them that there is no street traffic I only use the phones. Having street traffic will certainly get you declined, due to your zoning and coding ordinances in your neighborhood. The amount of your fees is determined by the number of workers that you indicate on your form. The cost generally ranges from $75 and up.