who did you use to form an llc?
- Thread starter jesse
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I utilized a lawyer, just because this was the easiest thing for me to do with all the other things that were going on. I have some friends that have used other methods, including their accountant and some that did it themselves. What I have heard from all of them, for the little bit of savings most of them wish they would have let someone else handle it.
I'm in the process of submitting my paperwork on Monday. I did a lot of research and looked into options such as Legal Zoom and Incfile, but after talking to other small business owners as well as the Department of Assessments and Taxation in MD, I decided to just submit the paperwork myself and save some money.
I originally had wanted to go the Legal Zoom or IncFile route just to make sure I didn't miss anything, but for MD there is only the Articles of Organization for LLC that I need to fill out.
If you have any questions just call the proper department of your state...they'll let you know what you need!
I originally had wanted to go the Legal Zoom or IncFile route just to make sure I didn't miss anything, but for MD there is only the Articles of Organization for LLC that I need to fill out.
If you have any questions just call the proper department of your state...they'll let you know what you need!
jeubank
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I just filled out the Incorporated paperwork from Arizona's Secretary of State website. Pretty self explanatory. Takes about 2 hours
RichmondTech
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It's really an easy process, but I sat down with my accountant for an hour to have them process the paperwork, discuss what we need to do on a quarterly basis, tracking income/expenses, etc. Money well spent (not that it was a lot). It's nice to have people on your team!
Tony_Scarpelli
Rest In Peace Tony
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It really depends on a few things:
First do you need a LLC? Keep it simple is the rule.
If you decide you really do need an LLC and then Do you have more money or more time right now? More money hire it done, if not, do it yourself. You don't say your location so I can't offer more help. Most states allow you to do it online with a visa. Your attorney and accountant will do it for you and they won't send you home to do it yourself just like we do not send home pc's to be restored with a recovery partition.
I ran my stores and business 17 years without an LLC or Corp. But when I got the size to sign $100k leases and $20k yellow page contracts I decided to Incorporate. I did mine own on the ks.gov site for $95. It is self explanatory.
However, I wouldn't do it for our California stores as they have a $800 per year filing fee and renewal. That is steep.
You can buy a book to tell you about the legal requirements to keep your LLC going and healthy its not near as onerous as a Corporation.
Basically keep your checking accounts and assets separate from personal to company. Don't mix money.
In our California stores we were required to buy general business and liability insurance anyway so we depend on that to cover any issues.
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In Minnesota, it's as easy as signing up online and paying. I thought there was more to it, but nope. I paid $170 and checked out the rules online, was easy to do.
I LLC'd to protect my house.
I LLC'd to protect my house.
nightkingdoms
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- Arizona
Same here. I customized mine, but basically it just followed the form that the corporation commission gives. Fill it out, send it in with the payment, done.
Edit: Forgot, had to pay for the newspaper advertising, too and then their confirmation letter that it was done.
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Paul Rodgers
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Taking a guess here but do you live in New York?
nightkingdoms
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techroc
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Drove to the State Capital (Sacramento) and saved a bunch of money and also processing time!
ljtechservices
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I discussed the matter with my accountant first to determine the business structure. then I had a lawyer do all the paperwork.
The forms and filing looked easy, but I always screw stuff like that up so I offloaded it.
The forms and filing looked easy, but I always screw stuff like that up so I offloaded it.
I'm interested in a LLC to protect me from possible lawsuits. Right now I haven't registered a business name, I have no website and I'm not advertising. Just taking in small jobs via word of mouth. I have a full time job as a network administrator and plan to keep this part time. How long did most of you all do this work on the side before registering it as a business?
I've been doing side work (especially web design) for years. I would just report all additional income on my regular taxes. I'm finally in the process of making it an "official" business. Should have done it a long time ago lol!
Tony_Scarpelli
Rest In Peace Tony
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- Wichita, Kansas U.S.A.
I was just Tony Scarpelli, Consulting for about 4-5 years. I worked from home/van. In Wichita there is no requirement to register the business and for consulting no requirement for sales tax so I didn't need to register with the state either. No employees so no need to register with the feds.
In Kansas a contractor like that is considered an extension of the hiring companies employees so there was little or no chance of a law suit that could come up other than a car wreck, according to my attorney.
I had the opportunity to talk to no less than three different attorneys about such things as they had become my clients and I offered to do trade outs but they said they wouldn't take advantage of me doing something that is not required. So I had no legal disclaimers or forms or contracts nor liability insurance.
When I refocused to retail home owners, I rented a store and had a van, my attorney said that the liability insurance required with my lease and my van were both more than sufficient for me.
I'm lucky in that I had the benefit of some real down to earth seasoned lawyers who treated me fairly.
So I think you probably be ok. Some of the more populous states and cities require a registration fee with the city to get your business cards printed. If you have to collect sales tax then technically and legally you should register with the state and if you hire an employee then you need an EIN from feds. Otherwise no reason to register that I can see.
I did network cabling installations; network design consulting, and implementation and all manner of server and workstation support without needing to register with anyone accept for sales tax on selling the servers. You can even avoid this by having them by equipment from CDW or Dell and just do the labor part of the implementation.
If you really perceive a risk from law suits then contact your insurance agent to see how much liability and general business insurance is for you. It is based on your annual revenues. I think I paid $430 the first year for sales of $360k. Weird my auto insurance actually went down when I moved it to the commercial policy from personal.
300DDR
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+1 on Legalzoom. Actually, +2. I used them for both my LLCs and it was super easy both times.
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- East Coast, NC (USA)
+1 on just doing it yourself, it's just a form and a fee...
-1 on pulling up a thread from last year.
-1 on pulling up a thread from last year.
technetnerd
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I used LegalZoom for dba but if I did it all over again I would have just filed it myself probably would have taken less time I would imagine.
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