Are you ready to form an LLC in Iowa? Please reference our 5-step guide below or hire a professional business formation service to get started. LegalZoom and Incfile are the most popular.
Top Three Iowa LLC Formation Questions:
- Long does it take to form an Iowa LLC? It takes at least three business days for the state to process your business formation paperwork if you file via the postal service. You can also file online and get your incorporation finalized within one business day – no expediting required! Please note that the estimate of business days begins once ALL required paperwork is in order and filed correctly.
- How much does it cost to create an LLC in Iowa? The state charges a $50 fee to form an LLC. This does not include additional fees for a using an incorporation service or establishing a Registered Agent. A complete list of forms available online along with a fee schedule for the state of Iowa can be found here.
- Do I have to be a US citizen to start an LLC in Iowa? The short answer is no. However, there may be restrictions depending on the type of entity you’re establishing. For example, you must have a social security number in order to apply for an EIN. It is recommended that you seek consultation with an attorney or the IRS, so that you know of any caveats before applying for your business formation.
You can access additional FAQs on the state of Iowa website here.
Step One: Choosing a Name
What are naming requirements? Iowa has a few basic rules for naming. The first is that your LLC (Limited Liability Company) requires some form of the “LLC” abbreviation in the name. The second rule is that your name must be unique compared to other named businesses within the state.
Please keep in mind that no wording can be used that implies your business is part of a governmental agency. If you use certain keywords like university or attorney, additional paperwork may be required. If you’re not sure if your preferred business name is in use, click this link to check availability.
What is a name reservation, and is it required? While it is not required, it is recommended that you reserve your name in advance of beginning the business formation process. Reserving your desired business name gives you 120 days to get your paperwork in order and filed.
During this 120-day period, no one else can form a business using the same name you have reserved. While the chances are small, you wouldn’t want to get to the point of filing and find out your name has already been taken. Once you’re ready to reserve a name, simply fill out this form and submit it to the state of Iowa for approval.
How Do I Check to See if the Name is Available? Visit the state’s website here to check availability before filing to reserve your name. If it is not unique enough, you may need to tweak it or come up with a new name altogether.
Step Two: Designate a Registered Agent
What is a Registered Agent? As a business owner, you will be required to provide a physical address where mail can be accepted during regular business hours. If your business has a physical address, you can use it. However, it is recommended that you assign what is called a “Registered Agent” to receive mail on your behalf.
There are two distinct benefits to hiring a Registered Agent. First, it limits the way your personal information is shared, since you won’t be using your own address and phone number. As a result, this cuts down on the amount of junk mail you have to sift through, as your Registered Agent can manage your mail and provide you only with the pertinent documents.
Who can be my Iowa LLC Registered Agent? The only requirements for your Registered Agent is that they have a physical address within the state of Iowa where mail and legal notices can be served during regular business hours.
You can hire a service to act as your Registered Agent, serve as your own, or even use an accountant or other business professional’s address – with their consent, of course. Iowa is unique in that they offer for the Secretary of State to act as your Registered Agent in some cases. You can click here for more details on Registered Agents within the state of Iowa.
Our Recommendation: At the end of the day, we recommend designating a Registered Agent service to handle these requirements. Doing so will help eliminate junk mail and more importantly, keep your personal and/or business address off public record. Incfile and Northwest Registered Agent both offer a free Registered Agent service when you utilize their services to form an LLC. Both are fast and affordable. In fact, they’re the best available.
Step Three: File Formation Documents
What is a Certificate of Formation? This is THE document that formally registers your LLC with the state of Iowa. When you’re ready, create an account here to file your formation papers online. You’ll want to ensure all of the following information is correct on the form:
- Name of LLC
- Name and address of Registered Agent
- Notation of management (member-managed or manager-managed)
- Name(s) and address(es) of the LLC’s governing person(s)
- Name and address of organizer
- Effective Date
Our Recommendation: Read and then reread what you’ve included on your certificate. Compare the information to what is required. Double check your information again and be sure nothing is missing or you could hold up the process of finalizing your incorporation.
Step Four: Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
What is an EIN? An EIN, short for Employer Identification Number, is the business equivalent of a social security number.
Am I Required to get an EIN? Yes. An EIN is required for filing taxes, opening a business bank account and hiring employees. However, it is free to apply for one through the IRS.
How do I get an EIN? Just visit the IRS website here to walk through the application process. The principal business owner or partner will need a valid social security number to apply for an EIN.
Step Five: Create an LLC Operating Agreement
What is an Operating Agreement? Usually when you establish a business within a state, you have to create a detailed outline that explains how you will run and manage your business. While this type of document is called different things in different states, in Iowa it is called an Operating Agreement.
Do I Have to File it with the State? In Iowa, this document is not specifically required, but it is still important to have a plan in place for how you will be successful, and how you will handle different aspects of the business. Even though it doesn’t need to be filed with the state, put it together and keep it for your records.
When you open a bank account, you will be asked for this document as a reference. Any future business partners or managing members may also be interested in seeing your Operating Agreement before joining your company. After all, this document essentially serves as your overall plan for success.
How to I Create an Operating Agreement? An attorney can help you outline your Operating Agreement or create one from a template. You can read more about Operating Agreements in Iowa here, but some of the basic information you’ll want to have includes:
- Individual members’ ownership percentages
- Rights and responsibilities
- Voting powers and meeting guidelines
- Allocation of profits and losses
- Management rules for the LLC
- Provisions for buying a member owner out, or transferring their shares in the case of illness or death
Next Steps: What Happens After Creating an LLC in Iowa?
- Understand your ongoing requirements. Depending on what the nature of your business is, you may have different compliance requirements due to the state or federal government on an annual basis. We’ve listed some of the more general requirements below, but you may have more to meet than just these.
- Get any business licenses or permits. Again, this is highly dependent on the nature of your business. You can check here to see what licenses the state of Iowa requires based on the category your business falls under. Since the state doesn’t specifically have any licensing requirements, you may have to check with the individual city you plan to operate in. You can also review the federal government’s Small Business Administration guide here for any additional requirements you may need to meet.
- Understand annual reporting. Iowa requires that each LLC file a biennial report. Similar to an annual report, this document serves to update the state on any pertinent information that may have changed regarding your business over the course of the year. It will be due based on your business incorporation date, and you can file it online here.
- Register for taxes. You can register here for a tax account with the state of Iowa. If you are collecting taxes, that will have to be reported, but there are a variety of other state taxes that you may have to manage and pay. These include sales and withholding taxes among others, which you can read more about here.
- Open a bank account. We highly recommend that you establish a business banking account so that your business and personal finances are maintained completely separate. This is important because it helps to protect your personal assets and also makes filing taxes much easier. Once you receive your EIN back from the IRS, you’ll be able to use it to establish an account at the bank or credit union of your choice.
- Find an accountant. We do not suggest that you attempt to manage your business finances without the help of a professional. There is too much room for error, and a professional can ultimately save you time and money by guiding you on how best to manage your business finances. At a minimum, enlist professional help to set you up with software and the steps for keeping up with your finances on a regular basis. Then, consult back with your accountant at least a couple of times per year – and especially at tax time – to ensure you’re keeping track of everything correctly.
- Understand income reporting. Income reporting is just what it sounds like – reporting the income you made from your business. It is important to note that you must file this form whether you made or lost money over the course of the year. The state of Iowa has convenient FAQs here that you can access to learn more about managing and filing your income taxes.
Why Do We Recommend Using an LLC Formation Service?
As you can tell from above, there are so many logistics to consider when incorporating and managing a business. You have to plan, assess funding, think about how you’ll market your product or service, and manage ongoing legal requirements.
There is something you’re great at, and that’s why you’re establish a business. You have a product or service that provides a needed solution, and we believe that you should spend your time focusing on your business. Outsource the legal details to professionals so you can be more effective as a business owner.
While it is fairly easy to form an LLC on your own, the ongoing compliance can be time consuming. Just as we recommend hiring a knowledgeable accountant in your area, we also recommend hiring an LLC formation service to handle the logistics of forming your LLC as well as the ongoing compliance of it. They can help you make sure all of the t’s are crossed, and the i’s are dotted.
You’ll receive reminders of ongoing requirements like annual reporting so your LLC isn’t shut down because of an innocent oversight. Plus, an incorporation service can serve as your Registered Agent, providing a little additional help in sorting through junk mail and eliminating your personal information from being widely shared.
An LLC formation service basically provides that little extra something you need to be successful. It adds the polish behind the scenes that will give you the confidence to be the best you can be for your business and customers.