LLCs are a popular choice for business owners due to their tax advantages. For example, LLCs are treated as pass-through entities, meaning their net income “passes through” to the members (owners) to report on their individual tax returns.
Florida is a popular place to form an LLC, and its low corporate income tax rate makes it a great choice for many small businesses. However, the formation process can be time-consuming and expensive.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a new kid on the LLC services block. But they’ve quickly built a solid reputation for delivering quality services at great prices and backed by excellent customer support.
Their $0 (plus state fees) Starter package helps you form an LLC with a name availability search, prepare and file your formation documents, and get a free accounting assessment. Upgrading to the Pro package gets you faster filing, a worry-free compliance service, and an operating agreement template.
The Pro plan also includes an EIN, or employer identification number, which is required for many LLCs to open bank accounts, gain financing and hire employees. It’s possible to request an EIN for yourself on the IRS website, but you may find it more convenient to have a formation company do this on your behalf.
Like most LLC services, ZenBusiness charges a one-time fee for its Starter package and an annual subscription for its Pro plan. The annual subscription enables you to keep your company in good standing with state filings and compliance alerts, as well as receive up to two yearly business amendment filings.
Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance is a reputable and dependable company that specializes in helping companies and nonprofits form LLCs. It has been operating since 2012 and serves more than 25,000 businesses and customers.
Their services include checking name validity, preparing essential paperwork, and submitting applications to the relevant entities. They also offer guidance to obtain all necessary licenses in a timely manner.
EIN acquisition: If you are a newly formed entity, you may be required to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Most states require that you acquire this ID before filing any tax returns or opening bank accounts for your business.
While this service is included in the main package offered by Harbor Compliance, it can be costly and should be considered only if you can afford to pay for it.
Registered agent: A registered agent is a person or organization that keeps your business’s legal documents and correspondence in their own office. They can also help you stay compliant by receiving court papers when you need them and forwarding them on to the courts.
Northwest Registered Agent
Unlike most business formation services, Northwest Registered Agent doesn’t try to upsell you with multiple packages that are confusing and overpriced. They simply give you all the features you need to form your LLC at a price that’s right for your budget.
They also offer a unique Corporate Guide(r) service, which pairs you with a knowledgeable local business expert who can help with any questions or concerns you have. This is a great way to make sure your LLC formation process goes smoothly, and it’s an extra perk that other companies don’t offer.
Another thing that sets Northwest apart is that they have a strong focus on security and privacy. They keep your personal addresses private and send mail only to you.
They also provide a free year of registered agent service with each formation, and they scan all the documents they receive as your registered agent locally. This is a great perk that their competitors don’t offer, and it saves you money over time. They also send annual report reminders to ensure your business stays in good standing with the state.
BoostSuite
BoostSuite is a company that developed a Website marketing tool that allows small business owners to get more traffic, sales leads and customers by optimizing their website on their own. The site connects business owners with partners who already have a large online audience and enables them to exchange articles and content that gets shared and promoted by their partners.
The service also helps businesses optimize their websites for search engines. This is especially useful for ecommerce stores that use Shopify, BigCommerce or other platforms.
BoostSuite is a good choice for those looking to get started with an LLC in Florida without breaking the bank. Its $39 formation package includes assistance with submitting your documents, a draft operating agreement template, and a year of free registered agent service. It also offers great customer support. Their Worry-free Compliance Package will file your annual report for you each year. It also offers a bunch of other business services and features at reasonable prices.