Indiana LLC Costs
Recommended LLC Services
In Indiana, many business owners benefit by forming a limited liability company. An LLC is a standard business structure that gives small business owners and entrepreneurs access to liability protection, unique taxes, special incentives, and a flexible work structure. A common misconception among some is that LLC formation in Indiana is costly and complicated. However, it is rather straightforward and worth the cost for many.
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Costs to start an LLC in Indiana
1
LLC Articles of Organization ($95)
- In Indiana, you must file Articles or Organizations with the Secretary of State when you form an LLC in the state.
- The LLC cost to file Articles of Organization in Indiana is $95.
- The state of Indiana does not offer any expedited LLC services.
2
Indiana biennial report fee ($32 online)
- You must file an annual report with the Indiana Secretary of State.
- You can use the INBiz website to file the biennial report online.
- Or, you can complete the Indiana Business Entity Report (Form 48725) and submit it by mail to the SOS.
- The biennial report fee is $32 online and $50 by mail.
- Your report fee is due every other year on your LLC’s anniversary month.
- Indiana does not charge late fees. However, failing to file the biennial report fee can result in the involuntary dissolution of your LLC.
3
Indiana registered agent fee (varies between $50 to $300)
- You must appoint a registered when you decide to form an LLC in Indiana.
- By appointing a registered agent, you are assuring the Indiana Secretary of State that someone is available during business hours to accept tax notices and other services.
- In Indiana, anyone can act as an appointed agent as long as they meet the state requirements, including yourself.
- The total cost of appointing a registered agent will depend on the commercial agent service, LLC needs, and state filing fees.
4
Fees to form a foreign LLC in Indiana ($125 online)
- When you have an existing LLC in another state, you will need to register a foreign LLC in Indiana if you want to expand into the state.
- You can register the foreign LLC online using the INBiz portal.
- Or, you can complete the Foreign Registration Statement (Form 56369) and submit it by mail to the Indiana Secretary of State.
- The LLC cost to register a foreign LLC in Indiana is $31 online or $125 by mail.
5
LLC name reservation fee ($10)
- The state of Indiana does not mandate that you serve an LLC name before formation.
- However, reserving a company name helps to ensure no one else can reserve and register the same name.
- LLC names in Indiana must be unique and completely distinguishable from any other company name in the state.
- You can reserve the Indiana LLC name online using the INBiz portal.
- Or, you can complete the Certification of Assumed Name form and submit it by mail to the Indiana SOS.
- The LLC filing cost for LLC name registration in Indiana is $10.
6
DBA filing fees in Indiana ($20 online)
- The business term DBA is an acronym for ‘doing business as.’ A DBA, or assumed name, is any registered name that a person or company uses to do business that is not its legal name.
- In Indiana, an LLC must register a DBA name if they plan to do business using a name that is not the LLC’s legal name.
- All assumed names in Indiana must be unique and meet the state requirements.
- You can register the DBA online using the INDBiz website.
- Or, you can complete the Certification of Assumed Business Name and submit it by mail to the Indiana Secretary of State.
- The cost to file a DBA in Indiana is $20 online or $30 if you file by mail.
7
Cost of certified document copies ($15)
- You will use the INBiz website to submit information requests online to obtain certified LLC document copies.
- The cost for Indiana certified document copies is $15 plus $1 for every additional page.
8
Indiana Certificate of Existence ($26 online)
- Most banks in Indiana will require you to file a Certificate of Existence before you can open a business bank account.
- You can order a Certificate of Existence online using the INBiz website.
- Or, you can complete the Information Request Form and submit it by mail to the Indiana Secretary of State.
- The LLC filing fee for an Indiana Certificate of Existence is $26 online, or $30 if you file by mail.
Steps to start an LLC in Indiana
1
Choose a business name
When deciding on an LLC name in Indiana, you will want to consider a few things.
- All limited liability company names must be unique and available for use in Indiana.
- An Indiana LLC name must meet all state naming requirements.
- It is always a good idea to check web domain availability to keep branding and marketing easy.
You will use the INBiz Business Search portal to conduct a name search for LLC name availability.
LLC name reservation fee
In Indiana, you are not required to reserve an LLC name before the formation process.
You will reserve the Indiana LLC name online. Company name reservation is valid for up to 120 days before formation.
The cost to reserve a company name in Indiana is $10. An Indiana LLC name is good for up to 120 days before formation. Indiana does not require you to reserve an LLC name.
2
Appoint an Indiana registered agent
In Indiana, you must appoint a registered agent when you form an LLC in the state.
The price for an Indiana registered agent or service varies between $50 and $100 a year. The cost depends on the state and your LLC needs.
A registered agent in Indiana is an individual or business entity that receives tax forms, legal documents, subpoenas, civil notices, service of process, and other official government correspondence on behalf of a sole proprietorship, corporation, or LLC.
The registered agent you choose must be an Indiana resident or a registered agent service authorized to conduct business in the state.
ZenBusiness
- Starter Plan – $39 a year plus State Fees
- Pro Plan – $149 a year plus State Fees
- Premium Plan – $249 a year plus State Fees
ZenBusiness has a stand-alone registered agent service for Indiana LLCs. The price is $99 per year.
Northwest
- Total Out The Door Indiana LLC Formation Service Package – $45 a month and includes:
- Indiana State Fee
- Filing Service Fee
- Registered Agent
- Tax ID
- Annual Plan – $225 plus State Fees a year
LegalZoom
- Economy – $79 plus $153 IN filing fees
- Standard – $329 plus $153 state filing fees
- Express Gold – $349 plus $255 state filing fees
3
File Indiana Articles of Organization
You must file Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State when you form an LLC in the state.
You can file Articles of Organization online using the INBiz website.
Or, you can complete the Articles of Organization form (Form 49459) and submit it by mail to the SOS.
The LLC cost to file IN Articles of Organization is $95 online, or $100 if you file by mail.
Indiana does not offer any expedited LLC services.
Address:
Indiana Secretary of State
Business Services Division
302 W. Washington St.
Room E-018
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The Articles of Organization form will ask various questions about your LLC.
- LLC name and address
- Registered agent information
The fee in Indiana for filing the LLC Certificate of Organization starts at $95 if you file online, or $100 by mail.
4
Get an Indiana LLC EIN
An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, can also be referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax ID Number (FTIN).
An EIN is a 9-digit number that the IRS issues for no additional cost. It acts as a Social Security Number for LLCs for income tax purposes.
When converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC, you must apply with the Internal Revenue Service for an EIN.
Applying for an EIN is a simple process online through the IRS website.
Business banking for an Indiana LLC
In Indiana, business and financial experts recommend that an LLC owner open a business account separate from personal bank accounts. It protects personal assets and future credit scores.
Banks will require an LLC owner to submit a copy of the LLC’s Articles of Organization, operating agreement, and EIN to conduct business banking.
Business banking accounts are generally free, and do not have additional charges or fees.
Business attorney fees in Indiana
When you choose to retain a business attorney in Indiana, you are keeping the LLC formation process simple. It also means someone is available to handle any business-related issues that could arise later.
In Indiana, business attorneys typically offer free consultations for first-time clients.
Professional services such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer offer LLC formation packages that include comprehensive legal services.
On average, a business lawyer in Indiana will cost $300 per hour.
LLC taxes in Indiana
- Indiana LLCs are considered pass-through entities. It means that you will file personal tax returns rather than the company’s returns.
- The Indiana state tax rate is 7.00%, and the state has no max on local and county tax rates.
- When selling physical products in Indiana, you must register for a seller’s permit with the Indiana Department of Revenue.
- You must register for the Unemployment Insurance Tax with the Department of Workforce Development if you sell physical products in the state of Indiana.
- You will also register for the Employee Withholding Tax with the IN Department of Revenue.
- State taxes and federal taxes can get overly complicated. Appointing a tax expert can help ensure you do not miss important deadlines, penalty fees, or face possible dissolution.
Business licenses and permits in Indiana
The total LLC cost for business licenses and permits in Indiana will vary depending on where the company is located and the type of business.
You will visit IN.sitegov to explore which business licenses and permits you may need for your business.
A business licence in Indiana varies between $25 to $1000. The total cost of permits and licences will depend on where your LLC is, and the type of LLC.
Local government agencies in Indiana will have different license processes and rules. You will want to contact the office to inquire about the process, price, and office hours.
Notary public
You may find that some Indiana LLC formation documents will require a notarization from a notary public.
If you cannot locate a notary, most government agencies have one in the office.
According to Indiana law, a notary public can only charge a max of $10 per signature.
Employer obligations in Indiana
- Indiana law states that you have specific obligations you have as an employer.
- You must verify that all employees are eligible to work in the US by completing Form I-9 from the USCIS Website.
- You will register for worker’s compensation insurance.
- You will report all new hires using the IN-NewHIre.com website.
- You will find a complete list of employer obligations in Indiana.
Benefits of an Indiana LLC
- When forming an LLC in Indiana, you are simplifying business banking. Starting a limited liability company helps to protect future liability. And, banks will require that you open separate personal and business banking accounts.
- LLCs and corporations have different compliance requirements. Incorporations must answer to shareholders and stock owners when they make business decisions.
- All LLCs in Indiana are considered pass-through entities. Owners file personal tax returns rather than the LLC’s tax returns.
- You reduce your chances of double-taxation when you form an LLC in Indiana. C-corporations are double-taxed while LLCs are not.
- Forming an LLC in Indiana is highly affordable. The cost to file Articles of Organization is less than $100. And the state does not have an annual fee. The biennial fee is only $32 every other year.
- Indiana has state-specific incentives that are available to LLCs. The Indiana Enterprise Zones and Hoosier Business Investment (HBI) Tax Credit are available to LLCs in the state.
FAQs
How long does it take to register an LLC in Indiana?
It will take the Indiana Secretary of State 15 days to process both online and hardcopy LLC registrations.
The state of Indiana does not offer expedited LLC services.
Does Indiana have an annual franchise tax?
Indiana is one of a few states that does not impose a privilege or franchise tax on LLCs.
How do I dissolve my Indiana LLC?
Does Indiana have a publishing requirement for LLCs?
Indiana does not mandate any publishing requirements for LLCs in the state.
Do I need a business operating agreement for my LLC in Indiana?
The Indiana Secretary of State does not require you to submit an operating agreement when forming an LLC in the state. However, having one on file will help reduce the chances of internal conflict.
Financial institutions will require a copy of a business operating agreement to open a business bank account.
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