Form an LLC in Indiana with Inc Authority for Free

Before you start an LLC in Indiana, you must decide the niche and industry you want to serve. While you can serve a broad market, it is best to narrow your focus to a specific niche, as this helps you map out a business plan more effectively. 

Indiana law requires you to select a distinct business name relevant to your brand and different from other business entities. Choose a unique name that reflects your niche and brand values, and always add “LLC” or “L.L.C” to the business name. 

When you decide on the LLC name you want to use, research to find out if it’s still available. If a different business entity is already using the LLC name you intend to use, you must come up with a different and unique name for your brand. 

If your preferred business name is available, you can reserve it for 120 days via the Secretary of State’s (SOS) website at just $20. It’s also prudent to reserve a domain so that when you launch your LLC, your business name and domain will correspond.

When setting up an LLC in Indiana, you must appoint a registered agent for the business. A registered agent serves as a representative for your company. They are responsible for accepting all legal correspondence on behalf of the company. 

You can act as your own registered agent or outsource this service. However, your registered agent must have a physical address within Indiana and be available to receive important legal and tax-related documents during normal business hours. 

LLCs in Indiana can be foreign LLCs or domestic LLCs, depending on the location where the business was initially established. You can file for a foreign LLC if your business has already been established in a state other than Indiana. 

On the other hand, if your business has not been registered anywhere else in the US, yours will be a domestic LLC. You will also need to choose whether you want to run your business as a single-member LLC or a multi-member LLC. 

Indiana does not mandate LLCs to create an operating agreement, and the state does not allow them to be filed. You should still create an LLC operating agreement to protect the interests of members of the Limited Liability Company.

An operating agreement guides the way LLCs function. It establishes the structural framework for the LLC’s operations, laying down clear guidelines, rules of governance, and other terms and conditions by which the company will operate. 

This is the most important step when forming an LLC in Indiana because it makes your business official. Articles of Organization comprise details about your LLC, such as the business name, address, and your registered agent’s contact information.

To register your LLC in Indiana, you must prepare your Articles of Organization and submit physical copies to the Secretary of State or file them online. Filing fees are $95-$100 for domestic LLCs and $125-$250 for foreign LLCs. 

When establishing your LLC in Indiana, you must get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification (TID). This is what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will use to identify your business. There is no cost for getting this.

If you’re the sole owner of your LLC in Indiana, you can use your Social Security Number (SSN) instead of the EIN. But if you have employees, you must get one. Regardless, it is advisable to get an EIN if you want to hire employees in the future.

Once you have an EIN, opening a business bank account should be easy. You’ll also need your LLC operating agreement document to open a business bank account, especially if your company has more than one employee. 

The business account should be in your LLC’s name and not in your name, even if you’re the sole owner of the business. This helps you legally distinguish between your business and personal finances, preserving personal liability protection.

Before starting an LLC in Indiana, you must obtain the business licenses and permits needed to operate within the state. The licenses or permits you will need depend on the Indiana county where your Limited Liability Company is located. 

After you have obtained the necessary permits, you will be issued an Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC). This shows you’re licensed to carry out business in Indiana, and it should be present at all your office locations.

LLCs have the flexibility of choosing their tax structure and can choose to go with the default pass-through taxation or be taxed as a Corporation.  In this case, your LLC in Indiana will pay the required corporate tax rate of 4.9%.

If your business operations focus on retail sales, Indiana laws require you to pay a 7% tax on retail purchases, which you can charge your customers and remit to the state. You may also need to pay a 1.4% tax on utility retail sales.

Short for “doing business as”, DBAs apply to LLCs that use a fictitious name or alias to interact with their clients. Indiana laws require LLCs to add “L.L.C” or any of its variants to their business name, which may make your name longer. 

If you’d like to use a shorter, catchier name your customers will easily remember, you will need a DBA. Ensure your LLC’s alias remains relevant to your brand and the services you provide, but only get one after you have the necessary documents. 

Getting business insurance for your LLC provides some level of security from financial lawsuits, property damage, and other claims. There are several business insurance options for LLCs in Indiana, but not all are mandated by state law. 

If you have an LLC in Indiana, the state requires you to get workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance for your employees. This provides medical care and wage benefits to protect your employees from injury or unexpected layoffs.

While getting a website for an LLC in Indiana is not compulsory, it is recommended because it’s an excellent way to market your products and services. Your website should have a domain name that aligns with your registered business name.

Your business website should include your company’s logo, colors, and other unique brand identity elements. You can leverage professional website design services to ensure your website is user-friendly and optimized for search engines.

After successfully launching an LLC in Indiana, you don’t just stop there. You must also comply with rules and guidelines as mandated by Indiana law. This ensures your LLC still operates within the state law years after its establishment. 

For instance, you must file business entity reports with the Indiana Secretary of State every two years and pay annual taxes. It keeps your Limited Liability Company in good standing with the state and helps stay compliant with state laws. 

Check out what you’ll get with the free plan. 

• Business name check: You can use Inc Authority’s name search tool to find out if the name you want for your LLC is available. All you have to do is type in your intended business name and get your results in a few seconds. 

• 1-year registered agent services: Whether you opt for the free LLC formation plan or one of the paid plans, Inc Authority provides complimentary Indiana registered agent services, free for the first year. 

• Online document storage: With Inc Authority, you don’t have to worry about losing important documents of your LLC in Indiana. It offers you the option of storing all LLC documents on an easily accessible digital database. 

• Tax planning consultation: Inc Authority’s team of experts will guide you through the tax planning process for your LLC in Indiana. They’ll ensure you adopt the proper tax structure that helps you save on taxes. 

• LLC formation: Inc Authority ensures your LLC is registered with the state by helping you file the necessary documents with the Indiana Secretary of State. The team will review your application, ensuring you’re off to a good start. 

• S-corp election and filing: If you’d like your LLC to adopt the tax structure of an S-Corp, you’ll need to fill out and submit an S-election form. Inc Authority helps you review and submit this form and other necessary paperwork. 

• Business funding analysis: If you’re not sure how much money you’ll need to s grow your business, Inc Authority can help you. It helps assess your business’s funding requirements and offers trusted funding options. 

You can easily start an LLC in Indiana with Inc Authority’s free plan. However, for more personalized features tailored to your business needs, check out its paid plans. 

Price: Free

Check out the additional services you’ll get with the starter plan. 

• LLC operating agreement: You’ll need to create an operating agreement to outline how your LLC will be run. Inc Authority offers professional templates and consultation to help you draft a comprehensive operating agreement. 

• Employer Identification Number (EIN): You’ll need an EIN to open a business bank account and get legally registered in the state. If you opt for the starter plan, Inc Authority can help you simplify the EIN application process. 

• Corporate forms and document package: Establishing an LLC in Indiana requires a lot of paperwork. Inc Authority helps to simplify this process by providing templates and experts to help you draft these documents quickly. 

• Compliance reminders: Even if you forget to keep up with the legal compliance requirements of LLCs in Indiana, Inc Authority won’t.Its team will send notifications to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines. 

• Detailed tax consultation: With the starter plan, you get access to more in-depth and personalized tax consultation from experts who will analyze your business needs and recommend feasible tax structures to maximize savings.

• Web domain + 5 business email addresses: With the starter plan, Inc Authority helps you create a business website, secure a domain, and get and up to five business email addresses corresponding with your business name. 

This plan is perfect for those looking for complete business formation and add-on services an don’t mind paying for it.

Price: Custom

Check out the additional services you’ll get over the starter plan. 

• Customer success advisor: Inc Authority’s highest-tier LLC formation plan provides a dedicated customer success advisor who will help you throughout the process. If you have any questions or problems along the way, your customer success advisor will be available at all times to guarantee a hassle-free journey.

• Private banking specialist: When it’s time to open a business bank account for your LLC, Inc Authority will provide a private banking specialist to guide you through the entire process. The banking expert assigned to you will also advise you on the best banking options tailored to your unique business needs and help you choose the right one.

• Personalized business advisory: Inc Authority is not just interested in how you start an LLC in Indiana, it is also concerned with how to position your company for success. You will work closely with Inc Authority’s experts to assess the different areas of your business and map out a plan to quickly grow and scale your LLC in no time. 

•  Expedited preparation & filing: One of the most significant advantages of this plan is that your LLC documents can be prepared and filed in no time. With other plans, you may have to wait a few days to get feedback, but this plan gives you priority service so your documents can be reviewed and filed on the same day.

The Fasttrack plan is the highest-tier, most expensive plan Inc Authority offers. If you’re looking for personalized premium services to expedite the LLC formation processes, this plan is for you. Otherwise, you can also start with the free plan.