Bizee is our top pick for the best overall LLC filing service thanks to its affordable prices, wide array of services, and high customer satisfaction ratings.
An LLC filing service can help you meet the requirements for business entity formation, which vary by state. Cost for the service can range from $0 (plus state filing fees) for basic filings to several hundred dollars for bundled packages of related (and not-so-related) products and services. If you're considering forming an LLC because of its pass-through taxation and liability protection, a filing service can help you.
We researched more than a dozen LLC filing services and narrowed our list down to the seven best based on categories like affordability, package options, additional services, customer satisfaction, and more.
Best LLC Services for September 2024
- Best Overall: Bizee
- Best With $0 Filing Fee: ZenBusiness
- Also Good With $0 Filing Fee: Swyft Filings
- Best for Startups: Tailor Brands
- Best With Legal Advice & Resources, Easiest to Use: LegalZoom
- Also Good for Legal Advice & Resources: Rocket Lawyer
- Highest Customer Satisfaction Rating: Inc Authority
Best Overall : Bizee
![Bizee logo](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/7hI5akJxlXz9WGuiVZtGBQzHvEQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bizee-Logo-c3178e3ddb1f4f1f8cae32a10854ae4d.jpg)
Bizee
- Basic Service Price: $0 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 3 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $50
Bizee is our choice for the best overall LLC filing service thanks to its affordable prices—including its free basic plan—its wide variety of services, and its solid customer ratings.
Value-packed free basic plan
One year of free registered agent service
Lifetime compliance alerts for all packages
Many services require an upgraded plan or additional cost
Long time to file for standard filing
Limited customer support hours
Bizee, formerly known as Incfile, stands out with its free LLC filing services. Its basic package is free and includes a decent number of services. You’ll only pay your state’s filing fee. The free plan, and the other plans, also include a free year of registered agent services, which is hard to find with other companies.
Bizee has no shortage of other services you can add to your plan, either by upgrading your plan or as an add-on to it. Examples include an EIN application (for the IRS), operating agreement, annual reporting, business licensing research, trademark filing, and more. Finally, Bizee maintains excellent customer ratings. It has over 17,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Based in Houston, Bizee was founded in 2004 to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow their companies, and it has helped more than 1 million people do just that.
Best With $0 Filing Fee : ZenBusiness
![ZenBusinesss Updated logo 2022](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/L2zoXr1wO1ibsPw9mVacqYCIujU=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Zenbusiness-6753273e3d4d495caec8094f035e2a31.jpg)
- Basic Service Price: $0 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 3 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $79
ZenBusiness finished just below Bizee in our rankings. We especially like its free basic plan and the number of upgrade options available.
Free basic plan
Large number of add-on services
Offers a mobile app
Few services included in free plan
No trademark filing service
No tax or legal services
ZenBusiness says it was founded to help entrepreneurs start businesses and work on their own terms. It caters to entrepreneurs who don’t necessarily “fit the mold” and features programs specifically designed for unique needs, such as moms and those affected by layoffs.
ZenBusiness is a good choice for an LLC filing service for several key reasons, starting with its package options. While its free package doesn’t offer as many services as Bizee’s free package does, you’ll get standard filing with a 100% accuracy guarantee and one year of free compliance. And when you upgrade to the higher-tier plans, you’ll gain access to more services.
Based in Austin, Texas, and founded in 2015, ZenBusiness offers all the optional services you would expect from an LLC filing service, like EIN registration and registered agent services, and a few extras, such as its business banking and credit cards.
Also Good With $0 Filing Fee : Swyft Filings
![Swyft Filings Logo](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/A9vmhSZ9Ql3XA8kY8RBF6Us0hW8=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Swyft-Filing-logo-d9de7922ec5d47639e9c177db5b1273c.jpg)
Swyft Filings
- Basic Service Price: $0 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 3 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $50-$100
Swyft Filings is another great option if you want a company with a $0 fee for its basic plan that also offers plenty of add-on services.
Free basic plan
Same-day filing for the premium package
Offers lifetime customer support
Doesn’t include EIN application with any packages
No tax advice or services
Many services require an additional fee
Swyft Filings offers several straightforward LLC filing packages, including a free package—you’ll only have to pay your state’s filing fees. Additionally, Swyft has an impressive lineup of additional services, including trademark registration, 501(c)(3) application, a digital corporate kit, and more. However, most of its services require an upgrade—even the most expensive plan is missing some key services.
It's worth noting that Swyft Filings has higher customer ratings than almost any other company we reviewed. Additionally, thanks to its free lifetime customer support, you can get help via phone and email long after you’re a paying customer.
Two serial entrepreneurs—including an attorney who wanted to automate and streamline the business filing process—founded Swyft Filings in 2015. The company is based in Houston.
Best for Startups : Tailor Brands
![Tailor Brands logo](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/PLZGKiP_nn2SbSdzJZ7pUVd7KyM=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tailor-Brands-logo-9eac007046fa48fc95e58414b3acfbfb.jpg)
Tailor Brands
- Basic Service Price: $0 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 3 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $49
Tailor Brands is our choice for the best LLC filing service for startups looking for a one-stop shop to help them start their businesses.
Free basic plan
Wide variety of business startup services
Comprehensive premium package
Few services included in basic plan
Registered agent service only as add-on
No mobile app
If you’re looking for an LLC filing service company that can provide everything you need to start your business, Tailor Brands might be the right option for you.
First, Tailor Brands has three LLC filing plans to choose from, including a free basic package. While the free plan doesn't include many services, you can upgrade to access more services like expedited processing, annual compliance, branding tools, and more.
Tailor Brands stands out by offering one of the widest varieties of services, including some you can’t find with other companies. For example, you can get your logo, business cards, website, and branded merchandise all as you file your LLC paperwork.
Founded in 2015 and based in Houston, Tailor Brands aims to simplify every step of starting, managing, and growing a business.
Best With Legal Advice & Resources, Easiest to Use : LegalZoom
![LegalZoom Logo](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/eIKsT1njquso88L78KrflpuXYTU=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Legal-Zoom-Logo-4dc82138b5cb42ad8f07a66457ae1869.jpg)
- Basic Service Price: $0 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 3 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $99
You may be familiar with LegalZoom’s legal resources and services, which include LLC filing services. Besides its comprehensive plans, it’s the easiest to use of any service on our list.
Free basic plan
Easy-to-use platform
Access to hands-on help from an attorney
Expensive expedited filing fee
No phone support with basic plan
Expensive registered agent service
LegalZoom offers three LLC filing service packages, the most basic of which is free. Besides helping you form your LLC, this basic plan also offers a customizable website and digital welcome package. You can also upgrade to the pro or premium plan for even more services.
LegalZoom really excels with its hands-on legal advice. If you purchase the premium plan, you’ll have access to an unlimited number of 30-minute consultations with attorneys to help you tackle all of your questions about starting a business. You can also have an attorney look over your legal contracts and documents.
Finally, LegalZoom has a user-friendly platform that’s easy to navigate, meaning you can get your business up and running as quickly as possible.
LegalZoom is a well-known name in online legal services. Founded in 2001 (noted attorney Robert Shapiro is a co-founder) and based in Glendale, California, the company offers various legal services and resources, from estate planning to business creation.
Also Good for Legal Advice & Resources : Rocket Lawyer
![Rocket Lawyer](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/nAfi0UZ_bsfJ9jAIi3EuzbHISKg=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Rocket_Lawyer-decef346673d4ec086ba41960780ca37.jpg)
Rocket Lawyer
- Basic Service Price: $140 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 2 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $85
Rocket Lawyer is another good option if you’re looking for an LLC filing service with hands-on legal advice, tax preparation, and a monthly membership to help you run your business.
Discounts on services with upgraded plan
Offers a 7-day free trial
Offers attorney services and tax preparation
No free package
LLC filing isn’t included in all plans
Expensive registered agent service
Rocket Lawyer has a different business model than the other LLC filing services on our list. Its monthly subscription allows you to create and sign unlimited legal documents, ask questions to experienced attorneys, and protect your legal documents.
Once you have your Rocket Lawyer business subscription, you can then pay additional fees for professional services such as hiring an attorney, having your taxes done, registering your business, and more. While these services all require an added cost—none are included in the subscription plans—you can register one business with the RocketLegal+ plan and get discounts on other services.
San Francisco-based Rocket Lawyer (unrelated to Rocket Mortgage) was founded in 2008 with the goal of making legal documents and services available to more people. Since then, over 30 million people have used Rocket Lawyer to start businesses, write wills, create lease agreements, and make other legal documents.
Highest Customer Satisfaction Rating : Inc Authority
![Inc Authority](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/hi4MMQuLPJdKj5W_aLRriSeJ2tM=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/IncAuthority-47927aafcabd459fa2e2d7061b7a0e63.jpg)
Inc Authority
- Basic Service Price: $0 plus state fees
- No. of Plans: 3 plus add-ons
- Expedited Filing Fee: $49
Inc Authority has the highest customer rating on Trustpilot of any LLC filing service on our list, with more than 30,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.8.
Free basic plan
Best Trustpilot customer ratings
Choice of 1 additional service with free plan
Lack of pricing transparency
No annual reporting services
No business licensing research
Inc Authority helps entrepreneurs worldwide start their businesses while prioritizing excellent customer service. That’s apparent in the company’s customer ratings—it has more than 30,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Inc Authority has a free basic plan that offers filing services, digital storage and document delivery, tax planning consultation, and more. Additionally, you’ll be given the option to choose a premium service, such as registered agent service, to add to your package for free. Inc Authority also offers two premium packages but lacks pricing transparency for those.
It was founded over 30 years ago, making it the oldest LLC filing service on our list. IncAuthority is based in Reno, Nevada,
The Bottom Line
Bizee is our top overall pick for the best LLC filing service because it offers the best combination of pricing, service offerings, and customer satisfaction. However, the best service for you depends on your priorities.
For example, if you want access to experienced attorneys, LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer may be good options. Or, if you want the most comprehensive service offerings, you might instead turn to Tailor Brands. Our list can help you narrow down the best options for you based on what you’re looking for to help your business.
Compare the Best LLC Filing Services
Company | Basic Service Cost | No. of Plans | Highest Cost Plan |
---|---|---|---|
Bizee | $0 plus state fees | 3 plus add-ons | $299 plus state fees |
ZenBusiness | $0 plus state fees | 3 plus add-ons | $349 plus state fees |
Swyft Filings | $0 plus state fees | 3 plus add-ons | $299 plus state fees |
LegalZoom | $0 plus state fees | 3 plus add-ons | $299 plus state fees |
Rocket Lawyer | $140 plus state fees (includes one month subscription) | 2 plus add-ons | $239.88 plus state fees (includes RocketLawyer+ subscription) |
Inc Authority | $0 plus state fees | 3 plus add-ons | Not disclosed |
Tailor Brands | $0 plus state fees | 3 plus add-ons | $249 plus state fees |
What Is an LLC?
A limited liability company (LLC) is a business entity structure that protects business owners from responsibility for the business's liabilities and debt. This means that the owners are not personally liable, and their assets are protected. They are chartered in individual U.S. states, which regulate them. Different states require different fees and documents.
An LLC is a hybrid structure that combines some elements of a corporation (liability protection) with those of a sole proprietorship or partnership (pass-through income and taxation). Filing for an LLC can be part of the business licensing process at startup (although it is not itself a business license or permit).
Should You Form an LLC?
Whether or not you should form an LLC depends on whether or not your business would benefit. Are you in an industry with a lot of legal risk? An LLC can protect you (and your personal assets) from liability. The IRS treats sole-member LLCs as pass-through entities (unless you opt for your LLC to be taxed as a corporation); income is passed to the owner(s) and reckoned on their tax return. If neither of these benefits (liability protection and avoidance of double taxation) is important to you, an LLC may not be a good fit. A consultation with an attorney and/or an accountant may help you decide.
Pros & Cons of an LLC
Pros
- Limited liability: An LLC shields your personal assets should your business be sued. This means only your business assets are at risk, not your home or other personal assets.
- Membership flexibility: An LLC can be a single-member entity or a multi-member one. Members can be individuals, other LLCs, and even corporations.
- Pass-through taxation: An LLC's income isn't taxed. Instead, income is passed through to members, who are responsible for filing and paying taxes on their individual income tax returns. This avoids double taxation, and it makes business record-keeping a little simpler. Members are considered self-employed and are responsible for paying self-employment tax.
Cons
- Fees: It costs money to organize an LLC and maintain it year after year. Sole proprietors considering an LLC need to decide if the cost is worth it.
- Paperwork: Managing an LLC involves some administrative overhead.
- Unattractive to investors: It's not easy to invest in an LLC. They can't issue shares like a corporation can, so the only way to invite investors is to make them members and grant them a percentage of the entity.
LLC vs. S Corp
Both LLCs and S corps shield owners from liability, and allow for pass-through taxation, but there are some important differences between the two entities.
LLC | S Corp |
---|---|
Separate entity shields owners and owner assets from liability | Separate entity shields owner and owner assets from liability |
Files an informational tax return with the IRS | Files an informational tax return with the IRS |
Income is passed through to owners/members | Income is passed through to owners/members |
Can have any number of members | Capped at 100 shareholders |
Owners can be other LLCs, corporations, or partnerships | Cannot be owned by LLCs, corporations, or partnerships |
May or may not follow corporate governance practices (management, annual meetings, etc.) | Strict requirements around reporting, management, annual meetings, etc. |
LLC vs. C Corp
Another business entity that protects its owners (and shareholders) from liability is a "C Corp." This is the familiar corporation with shareholders, a board of directors, annual meetings, and so on. Income is taxed first at the corporate level, at corporate rates, and again at the individual level, if any income is dispersed to owners and shareholders.
LLC | C Corp |
---|---|
Separate entity shields owners and owner assets from liability | Separate entity shields owner and owner assets from liability |
Files an informational tax return with the IRS | Pays income tax to the IRS at corporate rates |
Income is passed through to owners/members and taxed at individual income rates | Owners/shareholders may receive income via dividends, taxed as individual investment income |
Cannot issue stock; investors must be members of the LLC | Can issue stock; investors are shareholders |
May or may not follow corporate governance practices (management, annual meetings, etc.) | Strict requirements around reporting, management, annual meetings, etc. |
"When I formed my company, I worked with a lawyer because my partner and I weren't sure of which structure was best for us. We knew we would eventually need investors, so our lawyer said an LLC wouldn't be right for us. Our lawyer also helped us with our partnership agreement and other documents." —Lourdes Ahn, California startup business owner
Tax Implications of an LLC
An LLC is usually structured as a "pass-through" entity, which means all of its income passes through to its owner (or owners), and that income is taxed on the owner's individual tax return. The LLC files informational tax documents with the IRS, but it does not pay any taxes.
For LLCs with more than one member, income is passed through according to each member's stake in the enterprise. For example, a two-member LLC might be split 60/40. In that case, 60% of the income would be passed to one member and 40% to another.
Members who receive pass-through income from an LLC must pay income tax on their LLC income, and they are on the hook for the self-employment tax of 15.3%. The tax is the combination of Social Security and Medicare tax that's split between employer and employee, but since there's no employer picking up their share, it all falls to you.
Your LLC also may be structured more like a corporation—a C corp. In that case, the entity files a return and pays taxes as a corporation. Income passed to members can be wages or dividends. As you explore your options, consider using a filing service that includes tax professionals on its staff to help guide you through the tax implications.
How to Start an LLC
Starting an LLC is a relatively easy process. Depending on the state, the common basic steps are:
- Choose a business name. When you register your LLC, you’ll have to choose a name for your business. This name must usually be different from any other LLC that already exists in your state. Some states allow you to reserve your name in advance.
- Name a registered agent. Each LLC must have a registered agent who is responsible for representing the company. The registered agent receives legal documents on behalf of the business. In many cases, the registered agent is also the business owner, but it doesn’t have to be.
- Create your operating agreement. An operating agreement is a document that governs your business, outlining the details of the company, ownership interest, and more. Some states require an operating agreement, but you aren’t required to file it with your state. Even if you aren’t required to have one, it may still be a good idea.
- File articles of organization. The articles of organization is the document that officially forms your business. (It sometimes goes by other names, like "certificate of formation.") You’ll file this document with the governing state agency, providing your business name and information.
If you’d rather not serve as your company’s registered agent, you can designate your LLC filing service—or another provider altogether—to do so on your behalf. Some services offer this as a part of their packages, while others offer it as an add-on service at an additional cost.
Once you’ve completed those four steps, you officially have an LLC. There are also some optional steps that may benefit your business. For example, many businesses choose to get an employer identification number (EIN), which is like a Social Security number for your business. Other necessary steps may include opening business bank accounts, obtaining business licenses, and meeting any ongoing requirements to maintain your LLC status.
How to Choose an LLC Filing Service
If you’re choosing the best LLC service to help you through the business formation process, focus on how well the company can meet your unique business needs.
- Expertise: The most important factor when choosing an LLC filing company is expertise. You should only work with reputable companies with a track record of successfully registering new businesses for clients and have a record of attentive customer support.
- Turnaround time: Each LLC filing company's turnaround time varies. Turnaround may take anywhere from a day to more than a month, depending on the service you choose and the state you file in. Your timeline may send you to a service with a faster turnaround, though you may be able to save money if you can wait longer.
- Cost: An LLC filing can cost anywhere from $0 to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Choose an LLC company that suits your budget.
- Registered agent services: Many LLC filing companies include or offer registered agent services for an additional cost. Depending on your location and where you file, this may be necessary and worth paying an extra fee.
- Tax consulting: If you don’t already have basic business tax knowledge or a trusted accountant, you may want an LLC registration service that can also give you tax advice as you’re starting up your new company.
Do you need an LLC filing service? The short answer is 'no.' Anybody can complete the steps required to create an LLC on their own, paying only the cost of their state's filing fees and spending time finding and completing forms. What's more, usually the process can be completed entirely online (although some state's websites are easier to navigate than others). Still, these processes are not always clear and simple, and the documents and requirements can be unclear. An LLC filing service can cut through the confusion and give you some peace of mind that the filing was done correctly.
Basic Filing Services
Most LLC filing services offer several basic services that may be included in the company’s standard packages or offered as standalone services. Those services include:
- Business name search: Most LLC filing services offer a search tool that allows you to see if your desired business name is available or find one that is available.
- Articles of organization: A standard service from LLC filing services is helping you prepare your articles of organization and then filing them on your behalf.
- Operating agreement: Many LLC filing services either help you complete an operating agreement or provide a template for you to create your own.
- Registered agent: If you’d rather not serve as your own registered agent, an LLC filing service can fill the registered agent role on behalf of your business.
- Annual report preparation: An LLC requires ongoing compliance, including the filing of an annual report, which many LLC services can do on your behalf.
Additional Features Offered by LLC Filing Services
In addition to the basic LLC filing services listed above, many companies offer additional services to businesses, making it easier for them to start or maintain their LLCs. Here are some common additional features and services:
- Expedited filing: If you want your LLC up and running more quickly, you can pay an expedited filing fee to speed up the process.
- EIN application: Many LLC filing services will apply for your EIN on your behalf, either as a part of a package or at an additional cost.
- Document storage: If you have an ongoing plan with an LLC filing service, you may have access to storage for all your business documents.
- Business licensing research: As an add-on service, many LLC filing services offer to research your state’s business licensing requirements.
- Trademark filing: Most major LLC filing services offer trademark filing services to help you register your business trademark.
- Tax advice or preparation: A handful of LLC companies offer tax advice or tax preparation services (or both).
- Legal services: If you need legal advice or services, your LLC filing service may be able to provide that at an additional cost to your business.
LLC Filing and Annual Report Fees for Every U.S. State
At $35, Montana has the cheapest LLC filing fee. Meanwhile, Massachusetts' $500 filing fee is the nation's most expensive. How does your state rate?
How to Sign Up for an LLC Service
Signing up for an LLC service is an easy process. In many cases, you can fill in all the required information about your business and get your account opened and your LLC filed online.
Here's an overview of the process with most LLC services:
- Create an account: You’ll start by creating an account and entering basic information about yourself, including the type of business, your business address, the state agency you'll be filing with, and other details.
- Choose a service level: After that, you may see upgrade options and suggestions, but not all are necessary. For example, you can get an EIN yourself from the IRS website for free without paying a professional to do it. But some business owners may find having someone else create their EIN to be worth an extra fee. The same may be true with other add-on services.
- Complete forms and pay: When you complete your forms and submit a payment, plan to wait from a week to a month, depending on the service you choose. Most services can complete an LLC filing in 10 days or less.
- Receive copies of your filing: Once your files are ready, you should be able to log in to the LLC filing company’s website to download a digital copy of your forms. You may also get a physical copy of your articles of organization and any other forms by mail.
- Consider additional services: After your business is created, you may be invited by the filing company to meet with a legal or tax consultant, add new services such as a registered agent service, create a bank account, and other services. If you choose any recurring services, you'll incur an additional fee or fees.
Note
To cut costs, you can choose an LLC filing service that offers a free package. Your only out-of-pocket expense will be your state’s filing fee, which you would pay either way. While most filing companies offer add-on services at an extra cost, you can opt out of those.
Alternatives to LLC Filing Services
An LLC filing service is not your only option for your business. You may also:
- Remain a sole proprietor: You can choose to run your business as a sole proprietor and skip the LLC formation process altogether.
- DIY: You can complete the process yourself. The chief cost of setting up an LLC for free is your time.
- Hire an attorney: You can work with an attorney who will complete the process for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Do You Need an LLC Filing Service?
LLCs have become the most popular form of business organization due primarily to their liability protection. When you structure your business as an LLC, you are personally protected against company debts and liabilities as if you were part of a corporation. It also offers entrepreneurs the simplicity of a partnership in terms of its tax structure. An LLC filing service makes it easier for business owners to avoid hiring an attorney to file paperwork on their behalf.
-
What's the Cheapest LLC Filing Service?
LLC filing companies charge varying fees to register a new business. Plan on spending from $0 to around $300 for most online LLC filing services. If you work with a traditional attorney and get custom, one-on-one help, you may spend quite a bit more.
The cheapest way to file your LLC paperwork is to do it yourself. There are plenty of references—online and books—that can guide you through the process. Then you are only responsible for state filing fees.
But if you have limited time and want to ensure the thoroughness and accuracy of your filing, it's best to work with an LLC filing company. The sole purpose of these companies is to assist business owners in forming LLCs, and they can do it at a fraction of the cost of an attorney. The best LLC filing companies have in-house expertise, are fluent in every state's laws, and can process the paperwork quickly. Several of our recommendations above have low and no-cost plans.
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Do You Need an EIN for an LLC?
An employee identification number (EIN) is a federal tax ID number issued to businesses by the IRS for tax purposes. If you are the sole business owner in your LLC, you don't need to get an EIN. The IRS doesn't recognize LLCs as a business entity and will consider any single-member LLC owner as a sole proprietorship. So, in that situation, you could use your Social Security number to file your taxes.
That changes if you hire employees. Then, you have the option of reporting your single-member LLC taxes as either an S corporation or a C corporation, which requires an EIN. It also changes if you add another owner, or member, to your LLC. Some LLC owners get an EIN regardless because it provides more security than using their Social Security number. If you want to open a business checking account or obtain credit, the bank may require an EIN.
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Can You Have Multiple Businesses Under One LLC?
Yes, you can have multiple businesses under one LLC. These can each be LLCs themselves or simply “Doing Business As" (DBA) entities (which is much easier than setting up an LLC). An advantage of including multiple businesses under one LLC is that it can simplify tax reporting. A disadvantage is that you may be putting your LLC's liability protection at risk.
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Is ZenBusiness Legit?
ZenBusiness is a well-regarded, widely reviewed LLC filing service. It has amassed over 14,000 responses on Trustpilot, with 93% of them four or five stars and a 4.8-star rating overall.
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Does Mark Cuban Own ZenBusiness?
Mark Cuban does not own ZenBusiness. In November 2021, the company announced that Cuban had joined the firm as "an advocate and spokesperson."
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How Fast Can I Form an LLC in California?
For a $500 fee (and after having filed a pre-clearance and paying another $500 fee), you can have an LLC filing completed in four hours. You'll have to drop off your request at the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento (and pay an additional $15 fee for the privilege).
You can also request a same-day filing ($750) and a 24-hour filing ($350), both of which you can initiate online. If you haven't chosen to expedite your filing, you can track the agency's progress on your forms via its "Current Processing Dates" webpage.
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Companies We Reviewed
We looked at 13 LLC filing companies during our research before landing on the seven noted above: Active Filings, BetterLegal, Bizee, Filenow, Inc Authority, LegalZoom, MyCompanyWorks, Nationwide Incorporators, Northwest Registered Agent, Rocket Lawyer, Swyft Filings, Tailor Brands, ZenBusiness
How We Chose the Best LLC Filing Services
Investopedia is dedicated to providing readers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of financial products and services. To rate LLC filing services, we collected hundreds of data points across 13 popular services. We evaluated each service on 43 different factors, including price, services offered, ease of use, customer satisfaction, and more. We weighted two dozen of those factors to generate rankings, grouped into five broad categories:
Factor | Note | Weight |
---|---|---|
Pricing | Includes base package, compliance, and other costs | 36.00% |
Core Services | The breadth and quality of the base package | 30.00% |
Additional Services | Business licenses, trademarks, tax advice, legal documents, among others | 5.00% |
Usability & Customer Support | Website usability and information resources, customer service channels, transparency | 14.50% |
Reputation & Stability | Third-party ratings, years in business | 14.50% |
Learn More About LLCs
- What Is a Business? Understanding Different Types and Company Sizes
- What Is an LLC? Limited Liability Company Structure and Benefits Defined
- How to Start a Business: A Comprehensive Guide and Essential Steps
- Articles of Organization: Definition, What's Included, and Filing
- How to Get an LLC
- How to Start an LLC: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC: Which Is Right for You?
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Meaning and Features
- Pros and Cons of a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC?
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