ZenBusiness reviews its own products and services and compares them to others in the industry.
Starts at $0 + state fee and only takes 5-10 minutes
If you’re looking for an excellent District of Columbia (DC) LLC service then choose ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 700,000+ businesses since 2017!
If you want a socially conscious District of Columbia (DC) LLC service with a service discount, choose ZenBusiness.
Northwest Registered Agent charges $225 (plus state fee) for LLC filing services. That said, Northwest’s personalized customer support is a feature that could make their prices worth paying for some entrepreneurs.
Overall, Northwest does have some points in its favor. However, keep in mind that it charges $225 (plus your state’s required fee) for its LLC filing services.
Want to learn more? See this Northwest LLC review.
LegalZoom is one of the biggest names in the industry, with millions of customers served and frequent advertising efforts. LegalZoom provides an LLC filing package for free (plus the state’s fee).
LegalZoom is a huge company, so while it offers extended support hours, the quality of its customer support may vary a bit from representative to representative.
Want to learn more? See this LegalZoom LLC review.
Incfile/Bizee offers LLC formations for free, as long as you pay your state’s fee. Incfile and ZenBusiness have some similar characteristics, but there are also some significant differences that set the two apart.
If you’re looking for a cheap LLC formation service in District of Columbia (DC) and ZenBusiness doesn’t feel right for some reason, Incfile/Bizee could be worth a closer look.
Want to learn more? See this Incfile/Bizee LLC review.
Compare Packages
Identify the LLC package and services that fit your needs and then get started.
Starter
Pro
Premium
Process in 7-10 business days*
PLUS STATE FEES
Processes in 1 business day*
Top Features
*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.**SPECIAL OFFER – Get Starter for $0 plus state fees. Includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/yr.† ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Technically speaking, you don’t have to use an LLC formation service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom. These services are incredibly helpful, but you can save money by completing the process yourself.
You can read our complete guide to DIY an LLC setup in Washington D.C., but here’s a quick look at the process:
Every LLC in Washington D.C. needs a name that’s memorable and gives potential clients a good idea of what goods or services are available. The name also needs to be unique — both for legal reasons and so your business stands out from the competition.
As we’ve mentioned in this guide, every LLC needs an agent who can accept service of process on your behalf. In all states, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you have a physical address in the state. That said, we generally recommend that you appoint someone else (like an online service) to act as your agent.
This document, once filled out and filed, officially forms your business in the District of Columbia. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Washington D.C. has a $99 filing fee.
Setting up the LLC is literally as easy as 1-2-3; it’s the maintenance requirements that are a bit more complicated:
If you have employees, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Then there are district-specific taxes, too. Most LLCs will be subject to D.C.’s unincorporated franchise tax. The standard rate is 8.25%, but there is a minimum fee of $250. Businesses involved in retail sales will need to collect and pay the district’s sales tax (6%). You can learn more about these and other miscellaneous business taxes at the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
Every business in D.C. needs to obtain a basic business license. However, which specific type you need will depend on what your business does. There’s also a good chance that you’ll need industry-specific licenses, such as those listed by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.
Every other year, your LLC will need to file a report to update the district about the standing of your business. It is due by April 1st, and D.C. requires a $300 filing fee for this document.
Every business with employees needs to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and a commercial vehicle policy for company-owned vehicles. You may also want to get a general business liability policy, too.
You should sign up for a business bank account so you can write checks and make purchases in the name of the business instead of pulling from your personal accounts (a legal no-no).
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. For more detailed guidance, we recommend contacting an attorney or checking out the full Washington D.C. LLC Formation Guide.
LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnership vs LLC, in that the owners include any company profits or losses into their personal returns — the LLC itself does not owe income taxes. For more a more in-depth description see: What is an LLC?
In addition to the costs of a business formation service or hiring an attorney (which are optional, as we’ve discussed), there are quite a few other required and optional expenses when forming and maintaining a Washington D.C. business. You cannot form an LLC in Washington D.C. without filing the Articles of Organization, the document that officially registers your business within the District. The filing fee is $220.
Some areas require all their businesses to submit annual reports, but the District of Columbia is a bit different: the District requires all businesses to submit a Biennial Report every other year. This report is pretty simple, but it keeps the District up-to-date on vital business facts like your registered agent and your address. The filing fee is currently $300. Read more about D.C costs – Washington D.C LLC costs.
FAQ's
Where Can I Get More Information About Forming LLCs in Washington, D.C.?
We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Washington, D.C. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in the District step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.
How Can I Search the District of Columbia’s Business Name Database?
One of the most important steps in forming a Washington, D.C., LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the D.C. Business Center’s business search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Washington, D.C., check out DC business search on the topic.
Where Can I Find the Washington, D.C., Articles of Organization?
You can fill out the Articles of Organization in the District’s CorpOnline system.
What Are D.C.’s Ongoing LLC Maintenance Requirements?
In Washington, D.C., an LLC’s ongoing maintenance requirements include the biennial report. This filing is due every other year by April 1, and there is a $300 filing fee.
Where Can I Learn More About the District of Columbia LLC Licensing and Permitting Requirements?
Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with District of Columbia law. For more information about business licenses and more in this jurisdiction, check out the District’s Business Licensing Division.
How Quickly Does D.C. Process LLC Formations?
If you submit your Articles of Organization online or by mail, the district will process your documents within 15 business days. Hand-delivered documents are processed while you wait, although you will need to pay an additional fee. There are also expedited options available if you need to speed things up for your online or mail filing: an additional $100 for one-day processing or $50 for three-day processing.
Which Company Provides the Best Washington, D.C., Registered Agent Service?
If you want more details about what these companies can offer in the District, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to D.C. registered agents.
How Can I Dissolve My District of Columbia LLC?
Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the District’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to D.C. LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.
What if I Need to Expand a Business From Another State to Washington, D.C.?
If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Washington, D.C. Instead, you’ll need to foreign qualify the business in the District. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in the District of Columbia for more information.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
District of Columbia DC Business Resources
Top LLC Formation Services in All 50 States
We've broken down the best LLC formation services in all 50 states. Select your state for more information.
Start Your District of Columbia (DC) LLC Today