Obtaining your local government’s Articles of Incorporation helps to legalize your small firm. Discover how to apply for and remain on the right side of the law.
Establishing your firm as an LLC might be difficult since not all states have clear guidelines for LLCs. Moreover, certain states apply corporation law to LLCs, particularly when it comes to the Articles of Formation.
All states include downloadable forms for filing Articles of Incorporation. Some jurisdictions, such as Indiana, expressly designate them as LLC Articles of Incorporation, while others refer to them as an Operating Agreement or an LLC Operating Agreement. In a few states, corporations and LLCs may utilize the same structure. The filing procedures for a corporation or an LLC are quite similar in most states. The Articles of Incorporation must be submitted with the Secretary of State’s office in the state.
The Articles of Incorporation may be submitted online or by mail. Just be sure to follow it up with payment in the same manner. In other words, if you submit your documentation online, you should also make your money online. Submitting the money with the Articles of Incorporation permits the government to file your Articles more quickly, as long as you haven’t made any mistakes.
Most states require you to utilize the Articles of Incorporation form provided by the state. A few states enable you to design your own Articles of Incorporation provided you accurately title the document and contain your company’s name, address, intention to establish an LLC, and business owners’ names. If you want your company to be taxed as a distinct entity, your state may require you to put that information on the form. Even if you include the taxation request on this form, you must petition the IRS to make it binding.
