Separate Business Entity
A formal entity under state law, distinct from operating as an individual.
LLC formation
LLC Formation Made Simple in Any U.S. State
Choose your state, share your business details, and we prepare and submit your formation documents while you track progress from one secure dashboard.
- Secure & Confidential
- All 50 States
- Clear Filing Support
Start Your LLC Order
Answer first
What Is an LLC?
A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business entity created under state law. Its owners are called members, and it can generally have one or more. State rules vary, and federal tax treatment depends on the number of members and any tax elections.
Quick answer
An LLC is formed by filing the required formation document with the state filing office. The document name, fee, registered-agent rules and processing time depend on the state.
Why Founders Choose an LLC
The right structure for flexibility, protection and growth.
Flexible Ownership
One or more members, subject to state and industry rules.
Flexible Federal Tax Treatment
Taxed as a disregarded entity, partnership or corporation, depending on ownership and elections.
Built for Growth
Supports contracts, business banking, hiring and compliance as you grow.
Entity and tax treatment vary by state, ownership and activity. We provide formation and compliance support, not legal or tax advice.
What’s included
Everything You Need to Get Your LLC Started
A clear filing process from day one, with your formation details and documents kept together.
- Business name availability check
- Preparation of state formation documents
- Submission to the appropriate state filing office
- Registered agent service when included in the selected package
- EIN application support when included in the selected package
- Operating agreement template when included in the selected package
- Secure online access to available formation documents
- Status updates and compliance reminders based on your service plan
Form Your LLC in Four Clear Steps
You share the details; we organize the filing and keep you informed as it moves through the state.
Step 1 of 4
State approval times vary. Some states offer expedited filing for an additional government fee.
State selector
Choose Your State
Fees, forms, registered-agent rules and yearly obligations differ by state. Pick yours to see what applies.
Choose the Right Formation Package
Start with the filing support you need today and add EIN, compliance and advisory support as you grow.
Starter Filing
Essential filing support
$49 + state fees
- LLC formation & filing
- Name availability check
- 1 year registered agent
- Email support
Formation Plus
Starter plus EIN and documents
$199 + state fees
- Everything in Starter Filing
- EIN application
- 1 year registered agent
- Operating agreement template
- Annual report reminders
Complete Compliance
Ongoing support
$399/year + state fees
- Everything in Formation Plus
- State compliance filings
- 1 year business compliance
- Business & tax consultation
- Priority support
Government and state filing fees are separate and vary by state. Compare All Features
Client portal
Your Business, Documents & Compliance in One Place
One place to follow formation progress, view your documents, see upcoming compliance items and respond when action is needed.
See How the Client Portal Works- Company StatusView your entity, formation state and current service status.
- DocumentsAccess available formation and compliance documents from your secure account.
- ComplianceSee upcoming filing reminders and action items linked to your service plan.
- NotificationsGet updates when a document is available or additional information is required.
- SupportContact your In50States support team from the account area.
U.S. founders
Starting an LLC in Your Home State?
Check your state’s filing rules, registered-agent requirements and fees before you order.
Operating in another state? Additional registration, often called foreign qualification, may be required.
Find My State Guide
International founders
Starting a U.S. LLC From Outside the United States?
International founders can form U.S. LLCs in many situations. We connect the steps from state filing to EIN and ongoing compliance.
- Do I need to live in the U.S.?
- U.S. residency is not generally a requirement to own an LLC, although state, industry and tax rules can affect a particular business.
- Do I need an SSN to form the LLC?
- An SSN is not a general state-level requirement for owning an LLC. Federal EIN application rules are separate.
- Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
- The IRS Form SS-4 instructions allow a foreign responsible party who does not have and is ineligible for an SSN or ITIN to enter “foreign” or N/A in the taxpayer-ID field. International applicants use IRS international application methods.
- Do I need a registered agent?
- An LLC generally needs a registered agent in the state where it is registered.
- Do I automatically need an ITIN?
- No. An ITIN is an individual U.S. taxpayer identification number used when a person has a federal tax purpose and is not eligible for an SSN. It is separate from the LLC formation itself.
EIN
What Is an EIN, and Does Your LLC Need One?
An EIN is issued by the IRS, free of charge to eligible applicants. Any In50States charge for EIN support is our service fee, not an IRS fee.
Get EIN Support
Tax classification
LLC Is a Legal Structure; Tax Treatment Is Separate
For federal income tax purposes, an LLC does not have one automatic tax treatment in every situation.
Domestic single-member LLCDisregarded entity
Domestic LLC, two or more membersPartnership
Both apply generally, unless the LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation.
This is general information, not tax advice. Tax consequences can vary based on ownership, elections, residency, income and business activity. Verified October 2026. Source: IRS (opens in a new tab)
Explore Tax & Accounting Services
Comparison
Is an LLC the Right Structure for Your Business?
The right entity depends on ownership, liability, tax goals, financing and where you operate.
| Structure | Common fit | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | Solo founders, small businesses and multi-member businesses seeking a flexible state-law entity | Federal tax treatment depends on ownership and elections. |
| Sole Proprietorship | An individual operating without forming a separate state entity | Business and owner are not separated through an LLC or corporate entity. |
| Corporation | Companies seeking a corporate share structure or other corporate features | More formal corporate governance and different tax and legal considerations may apply. |
Why In50States
Formation Support That Continues After You File
- Coverage across all 50 states
- State-specific formation guidance
- Customer portal for status and document access
- Registered-agent and compliance services
- Support for U.S. and international founders
- Connected tax, bookkeeping and business-maintenance services
Testimonials
View All Reviews
What Customers Say About In50States
The process was clear from the start, and the dashboard made it easy to see where my filing stood.
I had questions about registered agents and got straight answers. Everything stayed organized in one place.
As a founder based outside the U.S., I appreciated the step-by-step guidance on the EIN and what comes next.
Simple pricing and a clear checklist. I knew what the state fees were before I placed my order.
The annual report reminders keep me ahead of deadlines, so I can focus on running the business.
Support answered every question quickly and in plain language.
FAQ
LLC Formation Frequently Asked Questions
How do I form an LLC?
An LLC is formed under state law. The process generally involves choosing a compliant business name, appointing a registered agent, providing the required business information and filing the state's formation document with the appropriate filing office. Exact requirements vary by state.
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
The total cost depends on the state filing fee and the service package you select. State government fees vary, so use the state selector to see the applicable filing fee before checkout.
How long does LLC formation take?
Processing time depends on the state filing office and the filing method. Some states offer expedited processing for an additional government fee. Your dashboard shows the status of your order and state filing.
Do I need a registered agent?
LLCs generally need a registered agent in the state where they are registered. A registered agent receives official notices and legal documents for the company and must meet the state's requirements.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Some states allow an eligible owner or individual to serve as registered agent if the person meets the state's address and availability requirements. Many business owners use a registered-agent service for privacy and continuity.
Do I need an EIN for my LLC?
Many LLCs need or choose to obtain an EIN. Employers, partnerships and certain tax situations require one, and banks or state agencies may also request one. EIN requirements depend on the LLC's ownership and activities.
Can a non-U.S. resident own a U.S. LLC?
In many cases, yes. The IRS notes that most states do not restrict LLC ownership and members may include foreign entities. However, specific state, industry, tax and regulatory rules can apply.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN?
For a foreign responsible party who does not have and is ineligible for an SSN or ITIN, the IRS Form SS-4 instructions allow 'foreign' or N/A in the taxpayer-ID field. International applicants follow the IRS international EIN application process.
Which state should I form my LLC in?
The answer depends on where you operate, where you have employees or offices, your business model and whether another state offers a genuine advantage for your situation. Forming outside your operating state can create additional registration and compliance obligations.
Do I need an operating agreement?
An operating agreement is widely recommended because it documents how the LLC will be managed and how key decisions, duties and ownership matters are handled. State requirements vary.
What happens after my LLC is approved?
After formation, your business may need an EIN, business licenses, tax registrations, banking setup, annual or periodic state filings and ongoing registered-agent coverage. Requirements vary by state and business activity.
Does forming an LLC automatically handle my taxes?
No. Formation creates the state-law entity. Federal, state and local tax obligations are separate and depend on ownership, tax classification, location and business activity.
No questions match that search. Ask our team
Related services
Everything Your LLC Needs Next
Registered AgentAn in-state contact for official notices and service of process.View Registered Agent Service
EIN ApplicationSupport with your federal tax ID after formation.Get EIN Support
Annual ReportsStay ahead of state reports and recurring deadlines.View Annual Reports
Business ComplianceEntity maintenance and ongoing state requirements.View Compliance
Tax & AccountingBookkeeping, payroll and tax filing for your new LLC.Explore Tax Services
International FoundersSet up and run a U.S. company from outside the United States.Explore Founder Services
Ready to Start Your LLC?
Choose your state, select your formation package and begin your order. In50States will help you move from filing to ongoing business compliance.
State government fees and processing times vary by state.