Arizona LLC Filing Requirements

How to start an LLC in Arizona

An LLC business structure offers various benefits, but it’s important to keep your LLC in compliance with state requirements in order to maintain those benefits. Here are some of the critical steps to take when forming an LLC in Arizona.

Step 1: Decide on a name for your Arizona LLC

Business owners must take into account a state’s naming requirements for LLCs when deciding on the legal name of their LLC. Here are some of the key requirements for Arizona LLC names.

• Required words. The name of an Arizona LLC must end with The name of an Arizona LLC must end with one of the following:
  • Limited Liability Company
  • Limited Company
  • L.C.
  • LC
  • LLC
  • L.L.C.
• Unique. Generally, the name of an Arizona LLC must not be too similar to the name of another business entity on file with the Arizona Secretary of State.
• Prohibited or restricted words. Use of words such as (but not limited to) "bank", "deposit", "credit union", "trust", or "trust company" require approval by the appropriate state department or agency. The name also cannot contain the words “association”, “corporation”, “incorporated”, or an abbreviation of those words.

Read Naming your startup business for more tips.

Step 2: Determine management structure (member vs. manager)

One of the reasons you may have selected an LLC as your business type is for flexibility in how it can be managed. LLCs offers two management structures: member-managed, or manager-managed. (“Member” is the term used for the owner of an LLC.) The difference between the two options comes down to the relationship between management and ownership.

• If an LLC is member-managed, then all members (owners) are active in the decision-making processes.
• If an LLC is manager-managed, then one or more managers are designated to make the day-to-day decisions on its behalf. A manager may be a member or a non-member.

For more information, read our article LLC members vs. LLC managers.

Step 4: Prepare and file Articles of Organization

The Articles of Organization is the document that officially creates the LLC. When forming an LLC in Arizona, you must file both 1) Articles of Organization and 2) a Statutory Agent Acceptance form with the Arizona Corporation Commission.

You should also create an operating agreement for your LLC. Arizona does not require you to file an operating agreement with the state. However, it is important for every LLC to have an operating agreement, which establishes the rules and structure of the business. See LLC operating agreements for more information.

Step 5: Step 5: Complete Arizona’s publication requirement

Some states require additional filings or steps at the time of incorporation, such as a county level filing or an initial report filing.

After meeting the publication requirement, the LLC will receive an Affidavit of Publication. While LLCs are not required to file the affidavit with the Arizona Corporation Commission, many LLCs choose to do so.

Step 6: Obtain a federal employer identification number

A federal employer identification number (commonly referred to as an EIN or federal tax ID) is a business identification number issued by the IRS. An EIN is used when filing taxes, and is often used for other important business activities, such as opening a business bank account, obtaining a loan, or paying invoices. For more information, see Do I need an EIN for my LLC?

Step 7: Meet your license, permit, and registration requirements in Arizona

Your Arizona LLC may be required to obtain licenses and permits before it can legally operate in Arizona. There are many factors that go into determining which licenses, permits, and registrations are required for your business. Sample requirements include the following:

• State business tax registration. An Arizona LLC will likely need to obtain a TPT (transaction privilege tax) license from the Arizona Department of Revenue.
• Employee registrations. Employers are required to report the hiring of new or re-hired employees with the Arizona New Hire Reporting Center, and obtain unemployment and Workers’ Compensation insurance.
• Business licenses and permits. Your Arizona LLC may need to obtain various licenses and permits at the federal, state, and local levels before it can legally operate. For example, your business may need to obtain a local general business license, as well as other business- or occupation-related licenses and permits.
• Trade name registration. If an Arizona LLC plans to transact business under an assumed name or a “doing business as” name, it must file a Trade Name Application form with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office

Arizona (AZ) LLC filing basics and FAQs

What is the cost to form an Arizona LLC?

At BizFilings, we clearly outline our fees and the Arizona state fees. When you view our pricing to form an LLC you plainly see:

• BizFilings’ package prices. BizFilings offers three incorporation service packages from which you can choose.
• State fee for standard turn-around. Our pricing clearly shows the state fee to incorporate in Arizona with standard turn-around.
• Expedited turn-around. You will see the BizFilings and state fee, if any, for expedited turn-around.
• Certified copy. Our pricing also clearly displays the BizFilings and state fee, if any, for issuing a Certified Copy of the Articles of Organization.