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 Delaware LLC service then choose ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 700,000+ businesses since 2017!
If you want a socially conscious Delaware 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 Delaware 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.
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*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 Delaware, but here’s a quick look at the process:
Every LLC in Delaware 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 state of Delaware. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Delaware has a $90 filing fee.
Setting up the LLC is 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 state-specific taxes, too. On the whole, Delaware is a very tax-friendly state; there are no state income taxes. However, LLCs will need to make an annual franchise tax payment of $300. Delaware also maintains a gross receipts tax instead of a sales tax. It caps out at 2% of your total receipts for services rendered in the state. Find out more about these and other miscellaneous taxes at the Delaware Division of Revenue.
Delaware requires a general business license, registration with several state offices, and industry licenses for certain professions. Get started at Delaware OneStop.
Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.
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 Delaware LLC Formation Guide.
Website:https://sos.delaware.gov/
Harvard Business Services is a Delaware-only LLC formation service. Harvard Business Services can get your business formed the same day you place your order.
Additionally, Harvard Business Services has thousands of reviews. If that wasn’t enough for you, Harvard Business Services charges just $50 per year for registered agent service (and includes a year with every LLC formation package), and they guarantee that rate for the life of your business.
If you have any questions or concerns, their customer support teams have a large amount of experience in this state, and they can answer your questions.
LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnerships, 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?
You cannot form an LLC in Delaware without filing the Certificate of Formation, the document that officially registers your business within the state. This filing costs $90 to submit.
Next, you’ll have to apply for a Delaware State Business License, which is required for all businesses operating in the state. The application costs $75 for your first location and $25 for each additional location, and you will need to renew it on a regular basis.
Another annual expense is the Annual Franchise Tax, which acts a lot like the annual report from other states. This is one of the biggest expenses you’ll pay in Delaware. For LLCs (at least those taxed as pass-through entities), it’s the only annual tax since Delaware does not have an income tax. LLCs taxed as corporations will be subject to the state’s corporate income tax of 8.7%. Read more about Delaware costs – Delaware LLC costs.
FAQ's
Where Can I Get More Information About Forming LLCs in Delaware?
We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Delaware. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in this state step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.
How Can I Search the Delaware Business Name Database?
One of the most important steps in forming a Delaware LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the state’s Name Availability Search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Delaware, check out our full article on the topic.
How Quickly Can Delaware Form My LLC?
Delaware has some of the quickest expedited turnaround times available in any state, but it will cost you a premium fee. The standard processing speed in Delaware is between 10-15 days, but you can speed up your formation with the following options:
Which Company Provides the Best Delaware Registered Agent Service?
If you want more details about what these companies can offer in this state, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to Delaware registered agents.
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.
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