How to decide on a name for your Arizona LLC? Every business needs a good name. Advertising and marketing concerns are important. But the name must meet the legal requirements as well.
You should start by reviewing Arizona Revised Statutes section 29-3112 to ensure your desired LLC name complies with the law. Every Arizona LLC name must include one of the following:
The name must be unique and distinguishable from existing businesses. You can use Arizona’s online Entity Search to find out what names are already taken. You should avoid using exact matches as well as closely-related names.
It’s also important to only use certain terms if authorized to do so. This applies to many highly-regulated industries, such as banking. Misleading the public and holding your LLC out as something it isn’t will create many problems.
Using a doing business as (DBA) name provides a lot of flexibility. Arizona calls these trade names. For example, “Mesa Landscaping LLC” could operate under “Mesa’s Premier Lawn Care.”
Now is a also good time to consider the available domain names (URLs) for your business’s online presence. Even if you don’t want to launch a website right away, reserving a matching domain name for your business can avoid future setbacks.
What is a statutory agent? All businesses need to provide a primary contact to handle important notices. Many states call this the registered agent. Arizona calls it the statutory agent.
The main purpose for the statutory agent is to receive service of process. If your LLC gets sued, the paperwork goes to the statutory agent. As you can imagine, you need to handle this role with care.
You may appoint yourself to serve as the statutory agent or registered agent. But many seasoned business owners avoid doing so. Instead, they hire registered agent services to take the burden off their shoulders.
Serving as your own statutory agent has some advantages, including:
But there are some flaws to appointing yourself, such as:
We recommend using a statutory agent or registered agent service. By doing so, you can stay clear of many problems and focus on your business. The service will sort your mail and keep your address confidential.
Statutory agent or registered agent services are quite affordable. They cost around $100-$150 per year. Attorneys can charge up to $500 per year for the same service.
If you choose to start your LLC by using a business formation company, they often include a registered agent service in their packages. Feel free to take a look at our registered agent recommendations article for more information.
How do I file the Articles of Organization? Pay close attention to this important step. It is what transforms your business from an idea into a real legal entity. The LLC does not exist until you file the Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporations Commission.
It’s a common belief that it’s necessary to hire an attorney in order to complete this step. But the process is likely much easier than you think.
Section 29-3201 provides the legal requirements. In short, the Articles of Organization for every Arizona LLC must include:
To make the process easier than ever, Arizona provides a fillable form. Be prepared to pay a $50 fee. Arizona also provides the estimated processing times for LLC formation filings. Non-expedited filings can take as long as 15 business days.
If the delay doesn’t fit your desired timeline, you can pay for faster service. An extra $35 fee gets you Expedited service. This usually lowers the processing time to less than five business days. You can also select one of these options:
To save time and avoid the hassle of LLC filings, all seasoned entrepreneurs use LLC formation services. For recommendations, check out our article on the best LLC services.
How do I meet the publication requirement? Before the internet era, it was common to publish certain legal matters in local newspapers. While most locations in the United States have removed this step, Arizona still requires it.
Under Arizona law, there are two methods for meeting the LLC publication requirement:
For the companies that must pay for the publication, the typical cost is usually between $30 to $300. You need to complete this step within 60 days of filing the Articles of Organization.
Does my Arizona LLC need an operating agreement? Operating agreements are contracts between LLC members. They dictate how the LLC functions and handles many situations.
Arizona does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement. But experienced business owners execute one anyway. Operating agreements help protect businesses and personal interests.
Without one, the LLC falls back to state law when disputes arise. These might not have the results you desire. Instead, you can create an operating agreement customized to your needs. Review section 29-3105 to see what an operating agreement can have.
The best operating agreements cover any situation the LLC might encounter. This includes:
Operating agreements are private contracts. You do not need to file it with the state.
Having an operating agreement can mitigate many future headaches. The best LLC formation services make it easy to create by providing templates for as little as $50. We recommend taking this route.
Do I have to get an EIN? The Internal Revenue Service assigns and uses Employer Identification Numbers (EIN or FEIN) to track business entities for federal tax purposes. Employer Identification Numbers essentially function like Social Security Numbers, but for businesses instead of individuals.
Certain types of businesses are obligated to obtain an EIN from the IRS. These include any of the following cases:
Even if your LLC doesn’t fall under one of these qualifications, getting an EIN is generally beneficial for your business. For example, some states require LLCs to have an EIN for their state tax filings, and many banks require having an EIN to open a business bank account for your LLC.
Luckily, the IRS has made the process very easy and straightforward via its online EIN application. It only takes about five minutes to complete and is entirely free of charge. As a rule, it’s not worth hiring someone else to do this unless it’s part of a wider LLC formation package.
Read More: How to get an Employer Identification Number in Arizona
Starting a business means getting the necessary licenses and permits. These can be issued by the state, county, or city-level authorities. Overlooking this critical step can result in grave consequences.
Some states require every business to get state approval. Arizona is not one of those and does not offer a general business license.
But Arizona does regulate some business activities. Review the Professional Licenses to see if you need to get one before starting up.
Some exemptions apply, but most businesses need a general business license from the City of Mesa. It facilitates communication between the City and business owners.
Mesa also provides specialty licenses for some businesses. These apply to specific activities, such as:
Maricopa County does not have a general business license. But the County offers licenses and permits for certain business operations. Review the County’s needs before opening your business.
Reach out to the local officials for extra help. They can ensure you get what your business needs before launching.
Starting a new business often means dealing with unforeseen obstacles. Instead of trying to conquer everything alone, connect with local business owners. Seasoned leaders can help you find the road to rapid success.
Here is a list of local organizations dedicated to helping businesses thrive:
Most importantly, having an LLC will ensure your personal assets are protected if your business cannot pay its debts. Running your business through an LLC can also provide you with better tax treatment. In addition, LLCs have fewer and less complicated reporting requirements compared to other types of businesses, making them particularly suitable for smaller businesses.
It is not strictly necessary to form an LLC in order to start a business. You can engage in business as a sole proprietorship instead. However, in that case, your personal assets may be at risk if your business takes on too much debt or loses a lawsuit in court.
It doesn’t cost much to set up an LLC for your business. In most states, you will need to pay less than $150 to register your new LLC with the local state authorities. In some states, you may need to pay some additional costs later on, for example, when filing an annual report or filing for a DBA.
The time it takes to have your LLC approved can vary wildly depending on the state, the filing method you used and if you opted for expedited filing. In some states, you can have your LLC approved in as little as one day, while in others, it may take weeks or even months.
If you want the fastest possible turnaround time, you should consider using online filing and pay for expedited service, if available.
The IRS and most state tax authorities treat LLCs as “pass-through” entities. This means that your LLC does not pay taxes directly (as corporations do). Instead, the tax burden is passed through to the members of your LLC. The members will then include profits and losses from the LLC’s business on their personal income tax returns.
It is generally best to form your LLC in your home state, where you will actually carry out your business. Some people believe that it is advantageous to form your LLC in Delaware or Nevada. In reality, you would then have to register with the authorities in your home state as a foreign LLC and pay additional fees – without much benefit in return.
You are not generally required to file for a DBA (“Doing-Business-As”). However, most business owners choose to do so anyway. Getting a DBA will allow you to omit the letters LLC from your customer-facing business name. You can also have multiple names for your LLC if you want to run more than one business through your LLC.
Yes, you can form an LLC for your business in any US state. There is no requirement for you to be a US citizen in order to form an LLC, nor do you need the right to reside in the US. If your business is going to own physical property in a given state, you may want to form your LLC in that state.
No, you don’t need to hire an attorney to form an LLC for you. It is generally much cheaper and straightforward to file the necessary paperwork yourself or to hire an affordable LLC formation service to handle the work on your behalf. However, you may want to consider hiring an attorney if your business is very complex.