Step 3: Select your Indiana registered agent
Indiana LLCs must appoint and continuously maintain a registered agent and registered office in Indiana. A registered agent is an individual, or a domestic or foreign business, who is responsible for receiving important legal and tax documents (including service of process) on behalf of the LLC.
The agent must have a physical address in Indiana. P.O. boxes are not allowed. The registered agent’s address is called the registered office. The address of the registered office and name of the registered agent will need to be included in the Articles of Organization.
Step 4: Prepare and file Articles of Organization with the state
Creating an Indiana LLC requires preparing and filing an original copy of the Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.
In addition, you should have an operating agreement that establishes the rules and structure for the LLC. While Indiana does not require you to submit an operating agreement to form your LLC, every LLC should have this document.
Read our article on LLC operating agreements for more information.
Step 5: Obtain a federal employer identification number
A federal employer identification number is a business identification number issued by the IRS. This number is also called an EIN and federal tax ID.
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 6: Meet your license, permit, and registration requirements in Indiana
Your Indiana LLC may be required to obtain licenses and permits before it can legally operate in Indiana. 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 Indiana LLC may need to register with the Indiana Department of Revenue and complete a business tax application. An LLC may have to register for additional tax types (ex. sales tax, withholding tax) that apply to the business.
- Professional licenses. Several professions and industries require registration with and obtaining a license from a state agency.
- Employer registrations. In addition to having an EIN, employers will need to register for an Indiana State Unemployment Tax Account, report the hiring of new or re-hired employees to the Indiana New Hire Reporting Center, and obtain unemployment and Workers’ Compensation insurance.
- Business licenses and permits. Your Indiana LLC may need to obtain a local business license, as well as fulfill other license and permit requirements.
- Assumed name/DBA. If an Indiana LLC plans to transact business under an assumed name or a “doing business as” name, it must make an Assumed Name Filing with the Indiana Secretary of State.
Indiana (IN) LLC filing basics and FAQs
Cost to form an Indiana LLC
At BizFilings, we clearly outline our fees and the Indiana state fees. When you view our pricing to form an LLC you see:
- BizFilings’ package prices. BizFilings offers three service packages from which you can choose.
- State fee for standard turnaround. Our pricing clearly shows the state fee to form in Indiana with standard turn-around.
- Expedited turnaround. You will see the BizFilings and state fee, if any, for expedited turnaround.
- Certified copy. Our pricing also clearly displays the BizFilings and state fee, if any, for issuing a Certified Copy of the Articles of Organization.
