Form Your Alaska LLC for Free with Inc Authority

The first step is to find a name for your Alaska LLC that’s catchy and reflects well on your brand and everything you’re trying to achieve. You’ll need to conduct a name search on the state website to make sure the names you come up with aren’t taken already.

It’s important to abide by Alaska state rules while choosing a name for your LLC. For instance, the name must contain the words Limited Liability Company or any of its abbreviations. The name must also not imply any affiliation with government bodies.

This isn’t a compulsory step for every LLC. However, it’s important for those businesses that aren’t looking to start their paperwork immediately but are confident about their business name and want to reserve it.

Alaska allows you to reserve your business name for up to 120 days for which you’ll be charged a small fee (currently $25). You are allowed to renew this reservation twice. However, during renewal, you must include a statement of intent to start a business.

Before registering a firm under your chosen name, research existing trademarks to make sure there isn’t a conflict. Trademark infringement lawsuits can be devastating to your brand if it happens after you’ve already opened your business.

The state of Alaska will not research whether or not your business name is already trademarked, so you should. You can do so through a trademark attorney or by searching the website of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Your Registered Agent will be tasked with receiving legal notices and other government correspondence on behalf of your business. They can either be an Alaska resident or a company authorized to conduct business in the state. But the company must be a Corporation and not any other business structure like an LLC or partnership.

You need a Registered Agent for your LLC to remain in good standing in Alaska. The agent must have a physical address in Alaska where your documents will be sent. Finally, they must be available at the address during all business hours.

Next, you’ll need to fill out your Articles of Organization with the Alaska Division of Corporations to make your LLC legal. After 6 months, you’ll need to submit an Initial Report, then biennial reports thereafter. 

Your Articles of Organization should contain details such as your business name, Registered Agent details, the purpose of your business, and more. You can file the document online or by mail—either would cost $250.

Your Articles of Organization will require that you decide whether you want your LLC to be member-managed or manager-managed. An LLC can either be managed by the owners or a third party.

If you and your fellow members decide that you want your LLC to be manager-managed, you’ll need to provide the name or names of appointed managers in the Articles of Organization. You’ll need to list them in your Alaska LLC Operating Agreement as well.

This step is not legally required in Alaska but is very crucial for businesses. An Operating Agreement sets the tone for the business, stating rules and policies about how everything should be handled. 

Some items you could include in your Operating Agreement include establishing ownership percentages, assigning member responsibilities, LLC dissolution rules, and more. In the absence of this document, your LLC will be subject to default state laws.

LLCs need to apply for a tax ID or EIN with the Internal Revenue Service. This is a nine-digit number that will act as your business’s social security number to uniquely identify it for tax purposes. 

An EIN is especially important if you plan on having employees work for you. You can apply for an EIN on the IRS website. Alternatively, if you find this too tedious, Inc Authority can handle the process for you at a fee.

Besides federal pass-through tax, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with state taxes and licensing in Alaska. For instance, depending on the industry your business operates in, you’ll be required to pay taxes like Alcoholic Beverage Tax.

Alaska does not levy state-level sales or use tax. However, some local counties may levy their own. You’ll need to check out their Tax Department’s homepage or Tax Department’s Revenue Online portal for more information.

Whether you’re running the business along with other members or by yourself, it’s important to separate your personal finances from business finances. This ensures your personal assets are secure in case of any business liability.

A business account also makes it easy for you to report your taxes. It also increases your business’s credibility amongst your customers, lenders, and investors. You’ll need an EIN when opening your business bank account.

In today’s digital world, businesses need an online presence, and your Alaska LLC is no exception. A professional website helps you build credibility and makes it easier for prospects to find you. 

The first step will be to get a domain name for your business. Make sure your domain name matches your business name to make it easier to find your website. Be sure to include items like your physical location, hours of operation, social media pages, etc. on your website.

Unlike most states that require businesses to file annual reports, Alaska requires their LLCs to file biennial reports. This means that you will need to file your report with the state’s Division of Corporations every two years.

The filing fee charged as of 2023 is $100 for all domestic LLCs and $200 for foreign LLCs. You can start filing your report on October 2nd with a deadline of January 2nd. A late fee is charged if you file your report late ($37.50 for domestic and $47.50 for foreign).

In this package, you will have access to the following services:

• LLC registration: Incorporating an LLC is Inc Authority’s primary service. This includes filing and submitting your Articles of Organization with Alaska’s Division of Corporations. 

• Business name search: Inc Authority’s website features a free search tool where you can type out your proposed business name to determine if it’s already in use in your state.

• Free registered agent: For one year, you’ll get free Alaska Registered Agent services. This means that you won’t have to worry about finding an eligible company to receive documents on your behalf. 

• Digital document storage: Having all your Alaska LLC documents in one digital dashboard keeps them well organized and makes it easy to access them. It also ensures the safety of your important documents.

• Tax advisory: To ensure you select the most advantageous tax structure for your Alaska LLC, and realize the most possible tax savings, Inc Authority will assign a tax expert to you.

• S-Corp election: If you want your Limited Liability Company to be taxed as an S-Corporation, you must complete and file a federal S-election form. Inc Authority does this for you.

• Business funding analysis: Inc Authority’s free plan includes business finance analysis as one of its many perks. Professionals will evaluate your financial needs and recommend reliable funding options.

The free plan includes most of what you need to form your business in Alaska. To get more specialized services, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid plans.