Best LLC Formation Websites

Let this be a thread to talk about your experience with sites like: legalzoom, delawareinc, etc....

How long did it take to get your LLC (or any business entity) set up?

Did you encounter any problems down the road that you couldn't overcome because of their services?

Did they advise you about taxes and filing annual state reports?

I'm pretty sure there is no thread like this, but if there is, please delete this one moderators!

I used smallbiz.com and it was a lot cheaper than those websites. They let me know of all fees before I filed with them. Just call them.

Also there is someone on this forum that sells anonymous incorporation

I used Incnow.com for my Delaware LLC. It cost me about $200 for the registration and license, and about $100 per year for ongoing registered agency. They advise me and my CPA about Delaware tax issues each year.

I got the initial finished paperwork faxed to me within 48 hours. I then called the IRS and got my EIN right on the phone and was then ready to open the bank account.

i used legalzoom and although they might be a little more than other companies, they did everything for me in a timely and professional manner. I even got a nice binder with my company logo stamp.

It is really easy to set up an LLC on your own. After you know how to do it it takes 10 minutes for both your federal (2 minutes) and state registrations. I do think next time I will have to setup in Delaware because it cost almost $200 to setup a business in my state. I do not have to pay again though.

Ask Greengoblin, he got a nice little hookup..

If anyone uses the services of others to register a corp, whether in your own state or another, please be sure the agency is a proper law firm specializing in business law for the relevant state(s) and does business licensing and registered agency as a regular practice.

You'll want to know real names and real facts about the firm, its practices and reputation -- all of which will be matters of public record.

I think in light of what's been alleged here in other threads, you might want to go with someone who has more to lose by screwing you (the firm, the licenses, federal and state issues) than looking after your best interests in the first place. Give that one some thought.

mdmoney said:

It is really easy to set up an LLC on your own. After you know how to do it it takes 10 minutes for both your federal (2 minutes) and state registrations.

Click to expand...

Sure, unless you want to incorporate in a state other than where you or one of your business partners is located. Only a resident entity can file and sign the papers in any given state; then there's the matter of maintaining a registered entity instate to remain in good standing.

Very good thread. Does anyone know anything about UK business formation websites and how they work etc...?

Is it easy to open an foreign bank account after you registered llc with ein ?

You can open a US bank account with a US corp. See this thread:
http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/business-tax-advice/55505-perhaps-good-opportunity-talk-about-incorporating-anonymously-otherwise.html

sinewave said:

I used Incnow.com for my Delaware LLC. It cost me about $200 for the registration and license, and about $100 per year for ongoing registered agency. They advise me and my CPA about Delaware tax issues each year.

I got the initial finished paperwork faxed to me within 48 hours. I then called the IRS and got my EIN right on the phone and was then ready to open the bank account.

Click to expand...

did you open your bank account in delaware? if not, which bank did you use?

Thats the problem i found with most banks they only cater to you if your corporation is registered in the state.

A few of my friends used http://amerilawyer.com/ and had no problems and they're pretty cheap.

CSalt2 said:

did you open your bank account in delaware? if not, which bank did you use?

Thats the problem i found with most banks they only cater to you if your corporation is registered in the state.

Click to expand...

I opened my bank accounts locally in NYC. Yes, you have to have permission to do business as an alien corp, as per NY State regulations. Each state has different rules and regulations, so check with your corporate registered agent, your CPA or corporate attorney.

In my case, the banks were happy to take care of the filings with the NY State Secretary of State and some of the other tedious stuff for me in order to expedite getting my business. I used BOA and HSBC banks.

Again, your registered agent in the state of your incorporation should set you on the right path to figuring out what you'll need to do if you are registered as a corp in one state but want to use a bank branch that is local to you in another.

That's my experience, anyway.

My registered agent in Delaware can be found at IncNow.com.

Hope that helps.

sinewave said:

Sure, unless you want to incorporate in a state other than where you or one of your business partners is located. Only a resident entity can file and sign the papers in any given state; then there's the matter of maintaining a registered entity instate to remain in good standing.

Click to expand...

Sorry, but info is incorrect!!! If you get a Delaware L.L.C. you do NOT have to be a state resident; but you need to file for permission to do business in the state that you are a resident.

i now have a couple of Delaware L.L.C.'s under my belt with permission to do business in PA, MD, & KS

I am currently in the process of registering an LLC (For purely whitehat, my name attached stuff) with http://www.mycorporation.com

I haven't finished yet, as I'm grilling them on resident agent needs for a corp in one state, me in another and a mailing address in a third.

I can tell you that so far their people are quick and knowledgeable.

They charge no setup fees if you use the coupon code MYFREE at checkout, charging just $29 shipping and handling. This means that a DE LLC is just the $120 state fee + $29.

I can't flat out recommend them yet, but so far everything looks good.

I've paid a lawyer to do one, and I've done a couple myself. All the paperwork the lawyer did looked just like the stuff I did myself before that, so I'm not really sure why I paid him $300, other than my peace of mind.

Depends on what you're into biz-wise. I used a lawyer for that one because I had a lot of liability exposure (a real world biz, not online, that involved going into people's homes).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DISCLAIMER: I'm not an attorney, CPA, tax guy, etc., and can barely even find my keys in the morning, so this is just FYI and I don't make any claim, warranty, guarantee that it is accurate. Always consult a professional. That's what they're there for, and the good ones are worth it.