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 Dayton, OH are fairly simple according to Ohio Revised Code Section 1705.05.
Your Ohio LLC name must end with one of the following:
Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.05 does not let you use only the words “limited” or “company” by themselves to identify an LLC.
Your LLC name must be unique and easily distinguishable from other Ohio businesses. You want to avoid confusing the public with a name similar to that of another Ohio business.
Let’s say you have your heart set on the name “Dayton Air Conditioner Repair, LLC,” but after a search, you find another Ohio corporation named “Dayton 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 “Dayton 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.
The Ohio Secretary of State also applies its own set of rules when deciding if a name is available. For more information, check out the Secretary of State’s Guide to Name Availability.
Section 1701.05 also bans the use of names that implies your business is:
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 “Dayton Private Investigations, LLC,” you’ll need to hold a valid Ohio Private Investigator License.
Before filing your paperwork, check to see if your name is available in Ohio. You can perform a search for the name using the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Name Search Tool.
If the name you want to use has already been registered by someone else, you can only use it if the other business agrees to let you. To prove this, you will need to file a Consent for Use of Similar Name (PDF) form (Form 590) when you register your LLC.
If the name you chose is available, you can reserve it for up to 180 days. This will prevent someone else from registering your name during this period. You must submit a Name Reservation form (Form 534B) and a $39 processing fee to the Ohio Secretary of State to reserve a name.
You can submit this form by mail, but for faster processing, we recommend submitting it via the Secretary of State’s Business Portal.
After naming your company, it’s also legal in Ohio 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. In Ohio, registered agents are known as “statutory agents”.
Service of process is a legal term for business letters or legal papers. Your statutory agent is the gatekeeper between you, the state, and the public.
Ohio state law requires that you appoint a statutory agent and provide their details at the time of filing your Articles of Organization. Ohio’s rules for naming and changing statutory agents are found in Ohio Revised Code Section 1705.06.
Registered agents must meet the following requirements:
A statutory 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 are Articles of Organization? These documents turn your business idea into an actual legal entity ready to sign contracts and do business. Ohio law states that filing the Articles of Organization makes it official.
To file, you’ll need the following basic information as listed in Ohio Revised Code Section 1706.16 of the Ohio Business Organizations Code:
You can file the articles of organization online or through the mail. We recommend using the online Ohio Business Portal to speed up the process.
The filing fee for your Articles of Organization is $99.
Average processing times are estimated to be between 3-7 business days.
For an additional fee, you can request expedited filing. Ohio offers three levels of expedited service:
To receive one-day or four-hour service, you must hand-deliver the articles of organization to the Secretary of State’s Client Service Center.
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 Ohio 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 work in favor of the business owner and may not align with your intentions.
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? Employer Identification Numbers 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 most common cases in which your business will need an EIN:
We highly recommend getting an EIN even if they’re not required. Most banks and online payment services require them in order to open a business bank account for your LLC.
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 Ohio
Certain types of businesses require professional licensing, such as doctors, lawyers, and private investigators, just to name a few.
Check the Starting Your Business In Ohio Guide if you have questions about any licensing requirements for your business.
In Ohio, your Articles of Organization serve as the license or permit at the state level. No other documentation is required.
The City of Dayton requires permitting or licensing for a small portion of businesses. For more information or to apply for one of these permits, visit the City of Dayton Permits Page.
Contact the City of Dayton if you have any questions.
As a thriving metropolitan area, Dayton offers plenty of support for your small business. Here are just a few local Dayton 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.