How should you name your LLC? You might have your heart set on a name, but there are important things to consider first. You’ll want to ensure that it follows state rules and isn’t too close to an existing business’s name.
The rules for naming your company in Jersey City, NJ are fairly simple according to New Jersey Revised Statutes section 42:2C-8.
Your New Jersey LLC name must end with one of the following:
Your LLC name must be unique and easily distinguishable from other New Jersey businesses. You will want to avoid confusing the public with a name similar to that of another New Jersey business.
Let’s say you have your heart set on the name “Jersey City Air Conditioner Repair, LLC,” but after a search, you find another New Jersey corporation named “Jersey City Air Conditioner Repair, Inc.” The names are too similar even though “Inc.” is a different kind of company.
If you make a simple change to your name such as “Jersey City Air Conditioner Service, LLC,” you should be okay.
Whatever name you choose shouldn’t be misleading to the public. This includes using another company’s name or choosing a name that would cause people to confuse it with government entities.
If your business name implies that you carry any form of professional license, at least one of your members must have that valid license issued by an appropriate government agency.
For example, if your business is named “Jersey City Private Investigations, LLC,” you’ll need to hold a valid New Jersey Private Investigator License.
New Jersey is a densely populated state with lots of businesses, so it may not be as easy as you think to pick a good, unique LLC name. Fortunately, the Division of Revenue has two business search engines available. The first will let you search for all existing businesses with a certain word or phrase in their name.
The second business search engine was designed specifically to find an available name for a new company. With this search engine, you can put in one of two words, and the website will show you the various businesses that might have names too similar to the one you are thinking of using.
After naming your company, it’s also legal in New Jersey to apply to do business under an assumed name or “DBA,” but more on that later in this article.
What is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or company that receives service of process, legal documents, and official notices on your business’s behalf.
Service of process is a legal term for business letters or legal papers. Your agent is the gatekeeper between you, the state, and the public.
New Jersey state law requires that you appoint a registered agent and provide their details at the time of filing your Certificate of Formation. New Jersey’s rules for naming and changing registered agents are in New Jersey Revised Statutes section 42:2C-14.
Registered agents must meet the following requirements:
A registered agent must also respond quickly in the event of a lawsuit so that your business avoids missed deadlines, fines, or penalties for non-compliance.
Some business owners choose to designate themselves as registered agents because:
However, there are several downsides to this:
For these reasons, most experienced business owners hire companies to act as their registered agents. These services cost between $100 and $150 per year. If you choose to use a law firm, you could spend up to $500 per year.
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.
What is a Certificate of Formation? This document turns your business from an idea into an actual legal entity, ready to sign contracts and do business. New Jersey law states that filing your Certificate of Formation makes it official.
To file, you’ll need the following basic information as listed in New Jersey Revised Statutes section 42:2C-18:
You can also include any other matter in the certificate. The one exception is that you can’t limit the authority of an LLC member or manager in this document. (If you want to publicly limit someone’s authority, you will need to file a separate statement of authority.)
The filing fee for your Certificate of Formation is $125. You can file it with the state online using the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services’ business formation website.
Processing time for a certificate of formation varies, but it’s normal for the process to take from two to four weeks. You might not have that kind of time, or you may just not want to wait.
In that case, the state does offer a few options for expedited service:
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.
What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a contract between you and other members of your LLC. It outlines the rules by which your company does business, keeps you prepared for everyday situations, and protects against the unexpected.
Your operating agreement should list each member of the company and how they’re expected to work. It can be as simple or detailed as you’d like to make it.
Although not required by New Jersey LLC law, we strongly urge you to consider one. Without an operating agreement, state law acts as a fallback. Remember that state laws don’t always align with your intentions and expectations for your business.
The benefits of having an operating agreement include:
When it comes to hiring, firing, and everything in between, an operating agreement allows you to customize the rules of the LLC according to your expectations. They should be signed by every member and kept somewhere safe.
The best LLC formation services provide operating agreement templates for as low as $50, and we highly recommend them.
What is an EIN? EINs are tax identification numbers assigned to businesses by the Internal Revenue Service. They function much like social security numbers, but for businesses instead of individuals. They allow the IRS to keep track of companies and other business entities that pay taxes.
Here are the three most common cases in which your business will need to obtain an EIN:
Regardless, we highly recommend getting an EIN even if it’s not required for your business. Among other reasons, most banks and online payment services require them to open a business bank account.
Obtaining an EIN is easy and can be done in minutes on the IRS website. You can also file via mail or fax.
It’s free of charge and shouldn’t be paid for unless part of a larger LLC formation package.
Read More: How to get an Employer Identification Number in New Jersey
Your LLC is formed and you have your EIN, but you’re not quite ready yet to do business in New Jersey. Now, you have to register your business so that you can pay state payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and other withholdings.
Also, if your business plans include selling goods or services, you will have to collect sales tax. In that case, you need to get authorization to collect sales tax as part of your registration process.
Business registration is usually done through the NJ-REG form, but you can now go to the NJ Division of Revenue’s website to register online.
Certain types of businesses require professional licensing, such as doctors, lawyers, and private investigators, just to name a few.
Check the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website if you have questions about any licensing requirements for your business.
In New Jersey, your Certificate of Formation serves as the license or permit at the state level. No other documentation is required.
The City of Jersey City requires permitting or licensing for a small portion of businesses. To apply for one of these permits or learn more, visit Jersey City Business License Guide.
Remember that your business may need specific licenses or permits. Contact the City of Jersey City if you have any questions.
As the 3rd largest city in the state, Jersey City offers plenty of support for your small business. Here are just a few local Jersey City organizations that can help:
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.