What should you name your LLC? The first step to forming your LLC is to choose a name. Whether you have the perfect name or are still thinking about it, there are a few Texas LLC naming requirements your business’s name must follow.
First, ensure your LLC name abides by the naming rules listed in the Texas Administrative Code on the Secretary of State’s website. Below is a simplified list of what cannot be present in your LLC’s name.
Additionally, your LLC’s name must contain the phrase “limited liability company”, “limited company”, or an abbreviation of one of these two phases, like LLC, LC, or Ltd. Co. This is typically added to the end of the business name.
Your LLC name also must be unique from other businesses in Texas. The easiest way to check for businesses with similar names is with the Taxable Entity Search tool from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Use multiple search variations to be certain you avoid any name overlaps.
You can use “Laredo,” in the name of your LLC, but remember your business name cannot imply government affiliation. Avoid using phrases like “city of Laredo,” or “of Laredo,” in your business name. To get approval on your business name, you can reach out to the City of Laredo directly.
Finally, if your LLC name implies having a professional license, be sure you and/or other business members have the correct licensure and permissions from the governing state entity.
Having trouble choosing a name for your LLC?
Our recommendation is to just settle on one you like. Once you name your business, you can apply for an assumed name, also known as a DBA. DBAs are very common and allow you to conduct business for your company under a different name.
Since you can’t apply for a DBA until after you’ve formed your LLC, we saved the details of DBA’s for a bit further into this guide.
What is a Registered Agent? The registered agent is an individual or entity who receives Service of Process on behalf of the business. Service of Process is the legal term for documents the court sends out when a business is being sued. Registered agents also receive any other government-issued documentation on behalf of the business.
As a part of forming a business in Texas, you must appoint someone as your LLC’s registered agent.
So who do you assign to this essential role? You may be tempted to assign yourself as your LLC’s agent because:
However, there are some disadvantages to being your own registered agent, such as:
If you’re concerned about any of the above points, hiring a registered agent service may be the solution. These services use their office address to receive Service of Process and serve as your agent.
Their purpose is to make sure you don’t miss any important notices, which is helpful if you have a busy role within your business as is.
Registered agent services are also affordable, ranging from $100-150 per year. Registered agent services provided by attorneys can cost 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.
Your business becomes official once you file a certificate of formation with the Secretary of State. After this document is filed, you are ready to begin doing business under your LLC.
The following should be included in your certificate of formation to abide by Texas Business Organizations Code section 3.005:
The simplest and quickest way to file your certificate of formation is by using SOSDirect. There, you can upload all of your LLC’s info and pay the $300 required filing fee.
The approximate normal processing time when filing through SOSDirect is 10-12 business days.
Although other filing options are available, including mail, fax, and SOSUpload, processing time increases with each of these options.
Even expedited filing sent through fax or mail has a processing time of 12-14 business days. There are no expedited filing options available through SOSDirect or SOSUpload.
Once your certificate of formation is processed, the Secretary of State’s office will issue you an acknowledgment of the filing. This is all you need to prove that your LLC exists and it can do business.
To save time and avoid the hassle of LLC filings, all seasoned entrepreneurs use LLC formation services. For recommendations, check out our article on best llc services.
An Operating Agreement (also known as a company agreement) is a contract between LLC members that sets the rules under which the LLC operates, and the rights and duties of each member.
According to Texas law, you do not need to have an Operating Agreement, but should consider whether it’s right for you.
Operating Agreements are private contracts between business members, not between the business and the state. They allow you to set rules for your business that members must agree to and follow.
What goes in an Operating Agreement?
If you do not create an Operating Agreement, you leave decisions up to state law and the court, which may not reflect your wishes for your business.
Drafting an Operating Agreement does not need to be overly complicated. You can check out our article on best LLC services to find those that can provide an Operating Agreement template for as low as $50.
EINs are like social security numbers, but for businesses. They are assigned to businesses by the IRS for taxation purposes.
Not all businesses are required to get an EIN. Three cases where it would be required, however, are if:
While you are only required to get an EIN in the above cases, note that most banks will ask for an EIN to open a business bank account.
How do you get an EIN in Texas?
You can apply for an EIN online on the IRS website in as quickly as 5 minutes. If you prefer, you can also apply for an EIN via mail or fax using IRS form SS-4.
Since the application process is fast and easy, you should never pay to file an EIN unless it is a part of a larger LLC formation package.
Read More: How to Get an Employer Identification Number in Texas
Depending on the type of business you own, there may be additional licenses or permits to obtain before you can officially begin doing business.
There are no general business licenses or permits required at the state level. Some businesses do require professional licensing or regulation, however. Examples of these businesses include physicians, lawyers, and cosmetologists.
To confirm whether your business has professional licensing requirements, you can check with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Like at the state level, there are no general business licenses or permits required to do business in Laredo.
If your business has a physical location, you will need to fill out the new business application so this space can be inspected and approved. This inspection will cost $100. The first $50 is for your application processing fee, and the other $50 is for your building inspection.
Certain businesses also require specific permits. Examples include businesses selling and/or distributing alcohol, businesses handling food, funeral homes, and more.
You can learn if your business requires additional permits by looking through Chapter 18 of Laredo’s Code of Ordinances or reaching out to your local business department.
When forming your business, you should take advantage of the local resources for small businesses in Laredo. Not only can this be financially helpful, but it can also help you expand your skills and network with other business owners.
Small business support in Laredo:
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.