How to Start an LLC in Indiana
Indiana ranks as the second-best state for business in the US. Its favorable business environment makes it home to several fortune 500 companies and other corporations. But the business environment of Indiana is as beneficial for small and mid-sized businesses as it is for large corporations. Indiana's small businesses (LLCs) can benefit from various state incentives and funds. The state also identifies prime business locations for various industries for free.
If you have been thinking of starting an LLC in Indiana, you can make your dream a reality by following these steps:
Pick a Name
Naming a business sounds simple, but it can be complicated. To start an LLC in Indiana, you must ensure that the business name you select complies with the state business name rules. Moreover, you must also ensure that the business name is available for registration. Click here to search for business name availability in Indiana.
If the name you picked initially isn’t available, you don’t have any choice but to come up with new name ideas. Don’t hesitate to take help from a business name generator.
Once you find an available name you like, reserve it to avoid losing it. You can reserve a business name in Indiana for 120 days for only $20. Click here to reserve your Indiana LLC business name.
Get a Business Address
Every Indiana LLC requires a physical street address. This address cannot be a P.O. Box address, but it can be an out-of-state or residential address. If you are starting an LLC in Indiana from home, get a virtual mailbox address to protect your privacy. This way, you can keep your LLC primary address as your residence address and the virtual mailbox address to receive mail from customers and third-party vendors.
Appoint a Registered Agent
An LLC registered agent is a person or entity responsible for official correspondence with the Indiana Secretary of State, filing taxes, and receiving documents. The position of the registered agent can be occupied by your, a business partner or manager, or even a professional registered agent service as long as the appointed person/entity fulfills the eligibility criteria.
The Indiana LLC registered agent eligibility criteria require the agent to be:
18 years or older
Present during business hours
A resident of the state
The registered agent is appointed with the following step. However, it is best to take the person/service on board since they will need to formally accept the position to enable you to start an LLC in Indiana.
File Articles of Organization
Articles of Organization is the official form for starting an LLC in Indiana. It is filed with the Indiana Secretary of State and requires the following information:
LLC name
LLC duration (can be indefinite)
Name and address of the registered agent
LLC management mode
Names and signatures of the organizer
The fee for filing articles of organization in Indiana is only $100. The processing time for the form is quicker if you file it online through the state’s dedicated business portal. However, you can also download the form, fill it out by hand, and submit it through the mail. Once the form is processed, you will receive a certificate of establishment of LLC in the mail.
Though articles of organization are only filed once when establishing the business, the state requires a business report every two years. The information required in the business report is similar to that of articles of organization. The fee for filing the business report is $50.
Create an Operating Agreement
While you don’t need an operating agreement to start an LLC in Indiana, getting one can only benefit your business. It works like an instruction manual for the business, detailing its various procedures and outlining the framework for others.
The contents of an operating agreement commonly include members’ contributions and responsibilities, profit sharing, voting rights, processes for adding or eliminating members, employee recruitment, meeting rules, and terms of the dissolution of the business. But as the business owner, you may be free to add any other details you deem necessary.
Get the Indiana LLC operating agreement template here to confidently make one for your business.
Obtain an EIN
EIN, i.e., Employer Identity Number, is a nine-digit unique number provided to a business by Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The number indicates business registration with the federal government and allows the business to hire employees, open a bank account, and file taxes.
Registering the business with IRS and obtaining an EIN is free. Click here to get an EIN for your LLC.
Get a Website and Market Your Business
Last but not least, getting a website and marketing the business is also essential to successfully starting an LLC in Indiana. The favorable economic environment of the state can mean high competition. Therefore, you need to reach your audience where they spend the most time, i.e., on the internet.
A well-designed website can make your business trustworthy. But creating a website is not as easy as it sounds. Getting a website involves securing a host, buying a domain, designing a layout, picking color schemes, writing copy, adding visuals, and much more. Websites must also be optimized and updated frequently to stay effective. Similarly, marketing the business involves various steps, such as creating social media profiles, creating digital profiles on Yelp, Nextdoor, etc., brainstorming ad campaigns, running sponsored ads on local websites and newspapers, and constantly creating and publishing content for all the platforms.
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