LLC Startup Checklist

Work through the decisions and tasks that come before formation, immediately after approval and throughout the life of your LLC. Check off what applies to you and open a guide whenever you need more detail.

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START WHERE YOU AREStill deciding?

Begin with Steps 1-3.

Just approved?

Jump to Step 5.

Already operating?

Review Steps 6-7 and the annual items.

One clear path

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Confirm the LLC is the right entity

An LLC can help separate business liabilities from an owner's personal assets when properly formed and operated, but it does not eliminate every personal exposure, including personal guarantees or the owner's own misconduct.

Identify what the business will do, where it will operate and what assets or risks it will have.Compare an LLC with a sole proprietorship, partnership and corporation.Discuss the available tax classifications with a CPA or tax adviser.Consider whether outside investors or multiple classes of equity make a corporation more suitable.Consider individualized legal or tax advice for multiple members, unequal contributions, investors, rental properties, valuable assets, multi-state operations, unusual tax questions or a holding-company structure.

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Choose the state and structure

Compare practical costs and benefits, including any state where the business will actually operate.

Identify every state where the LLC will operate, employ people, maintain an office or own property.Compare the home state with Wyoming, Delaware and any other state under consideration.Estimate formation and recurring costs, including possible foreign registration.Decide whether one LLC is enough or a holding-company structure deserves consideration.

Choose the best state →Explore holding companies →

Plan the ownership and filing

Resolve the choices you will encounter in the state filing or formation-service questionnaire.

Choose and check the LLC name. The easiest option is to have Bizee check availability as part of the formation process. You can also search the state's official database yourself. Confirm that the name follows state naming rules, uses the required LLC designator and does not contain restricted words; also consider checking the matching domain name and important social-media handles.Confirm the members, ownership percentages and expected contributions. Assign an agreed value to money, property or services and make sure it aligns with the intended ownership, unless a different arrangement is deliberately documented. This is normally shown on Exhibit A to the operating agreement.Choose member-managed or manager-managed governance. Some states put this choice in the Articles; in others, including Wyoming, it is generally addressed in the operating agreement and Exhibit A.Select a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state. As of this writing, Bizee includes the first year when it forms the LLC and charges $149 per year afterward; you can switch before renewal if another qualified provider is a better fit.Choose the LLC's principal and mailing addresses. These are normally public, so consider a legitimate office or virtual-office option if you do not want to publish your home address.Decide whether public-record privacy matters. That can reduce public disclosure, although the result may change if the LLC must register in another state with different disclosure requirements. In some circumstances, a properly structured holding company can keep individual owner names off certain subsidiary filings, but disclosure rules vary and the structure does not create complete anonymity.Decide whether the LLC will operate under its legal name or use a DBA, assumed name or fictitious business name, and register it where required.Choose direct filing, a formation service or an attorney. Direct filing can minimize fees; formation services simplify the process for DIY owners; attorneys help when individualized structuring or documents are needed.

Choose the management structure →Compare LLC formation services →Understand anonymous LLCs →Check your LLC name free with Bizee →

Form the LLC

Complete the filing carefully and preserve the accepted records.

File the formation document and pay the required state fee.Review the accepted filing for the correct name, management selection, agent and addresses.Save the filed document and state confirmation in a permanent digital folder.Calendar initial reports, publication requirements or other state-specific deadlines.Determine whether foreign registration is required before operating in another state.

Choose your state formation guide →See the Bizee offer and Free Starter Kit →

Fund and operate the LLC properly

Treat the LLC as a separate business in its money, records, decisions and contracts.

Document owner contributions and loans; record the purpose of every transfer.Set up bookkeeping categories and a regular reconciliation schedule.Consider a business credit or expense card used only for documented LLC expenses. Reconcile its statements through the LLC's bookkeeping system and do not use it for personal purchases.Keep receipts, invoices, contracts, reimbursements and tax documents organized.Pay owners using the method appropriate to the LLC's tax classification.If considering S corporation tax treatment, review eligibility, timing, payroll and cost.Document major decisions in written consents or minutes.

Fund the LLC correctly →Pay yourself correctly →Evaluate an S corporation election →

Protect and maintain the LLC

Put recurring obligations on the calendar and revisit the structure as the business changes.

Choose insurance appropriate to the business's activities and risks.File annual or periodic state reports and pay recurring fees.Add annual reports, recurring state fees, registered-agent renewal, licenses and tax deadlines to a calendar or reminder system.Maintain the registered agent and update official contact information.Renew business and professional licenses and permits.Review federal, state and local tax deadlines with the appropriate professional.Review the operating agreement, ownership and structure after material changes.

FinCEN and foreign-owner note: At the time of this writing, entities created in the United States are exempt from FinCEN BOI reporting, regardless of whether their owners are U.S. or foreign persons. Certain entities formed under foreign law and registered to do business in the United States may still have BOI reporting obligations. Separately, a foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity may have to file IRS Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when it has reportable transactions. Confirm current requirements with a qualified tax professional.

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Choose your level of help

You do not have to navigate every step alone.

Use the free LLC Roadmap for DIY guidance, choose a formation service to simplify filing and provide ongoing compliance alerts, or consider individualized attorney help for more complicated or California-connected matters.

Start the LLC Roadmap →See the Bizee option and Free Starter Kit →Explore California-connected legal help →

Important: This checklist provides general educational information and is not legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. Requirements vary, and laws change. Some links may be affiliate links.