How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in North Carolina?

North Carolina LLC Online Filing Fee: $125

The main cost tostart an LLC in North Carolinais the $125 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the North Carolina Secretary of State.

For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our otherCost to Start an LLCandHow to Form an LLCguides.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in North Carolina

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into North Carolina, you’ll need to register your LLC as aforeign LLC in North Carolina.

The cost for registering aNorth Carolina foreign LLC is $250. You can register a foreign LLC in North Carolina by filing anApplication for Certificate of Authority for Limited Liability Company(Form L-09).

Optional LLC Formation Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation

Reserve your name for up to 120 days prior to LLC formation by filing an Application to Reserve a Business Entity Name (Form BE-03) and paying the $30 filing fee.

Foreign LLC Name Registration

Reserve your name until the end of the calendar year by filing an Application to Register a Business Entity Name by a Foreign Entity (Form BE-13) and paying the $10 filing fee.

Assumed Business Name

File anAssumed Business Name Certificateand pay the $26 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Seven Basic Steps to Start an LLC in North Carolina

Step 1:Name Your North Carolina LLC
Step 2:Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3:File the Articles of Organization
Step 4:Create an Operating Agreement
步骤5:Get an EIN
Step 6:File an Annual Report
Step 7:Keep Your Company Compliant

Step 1: Name Your North Carolina LLC

When you name your North Carolina LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of North Carolina
2. 满足North Carolina naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended:Visit ourStart an LLC in North Carolinaguide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in North Carolina.

Not sure what to name your business?Check out ourHow to Name a Businessguide and freeLLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a网络域. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in North Carolina must appoint aregistered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for acceptingservice of processin the event your business is sued.

Your North Carolina registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in North Carolina
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

TheNorth Carolina Articles of Organization(Form L-01) is a document that is filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $125 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Formation, visit ourHow to File the North Carolina Articles of Organization指南。

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for North Carolina LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement?An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important?A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read ourNorth Carolina LLC operating agreement指南。

步骤5:Get an EIN

What is an EIN?AnEINor Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by theInternal Revenue System (IRS)to identify a business for tax reporting purposes.An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN?An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening abusiness bank account
• Hiring employees

Step 6: File an Annual Report

North Carolina requires all LLCs to file anannual report. This filing keeps your business’s information up to date with the state.

Annual reports can be submittedonlineorby mail, along with the $200 filing fee, by April 15 each year.

Step 7: Keep Your Company Compliant

Maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws is key to operating an LLC in North Carolina.

Additionally, North Carolina business licensing is a critical component in operating a legally sound business. Depending on the nature and scope of your business, you might need to secure specific licenses or permits at the state or local level to comply with North Carolina regulations.

One significant cost to consider includes the taxes that a North Carolina LLC will be liable for under North Carolina law. Understanding these tax implications is crucial to accurately budget for your annual business expenses, and to stay in compliance with the state's regulations.

Here are the crucial points to note:

• Licenses & Permits: Your business will likely need to apply for certain permits, which may occur on the federal, state, or county/city level. A North Carolina business license will vary per business type. See ourNorth Carolina Business Licenseguide for more.
• Tax Filing: Register for applicable taxes (sales tax, employer taxes, state and federal income tax). North Carolina's base state sales tax is 4.75%. State income tax is a flat 4.75% and due annually by April 15.
• Hiring Employees: Verify work eligibility, report new hires to the state, provide workers' compensation insurance, withhold employee taxes, and display workplace compliance posters.

Staying on top of these requirements helps ensure your North Carolina LLC remains in good standing with the North Carolina Department of State through the North Carolina Secretary of State and local licenses. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to comply not only with the Internal Revenue Service but also with state laws.