Best State to Form an LLC in 2024

563 comments on “Best State to Form an LLC”

1. Thank you for the great article and educational website.

   My question is…I have filed taxes in California my whole life (when I worked). The past 2 years I left my job and backpacked around the world and didn’t file taxes because I had zero income. However, all of my mail is still being sent to my parent’s residence. When filling out applications, I use my parent’s California residence.

   I am starting an online business with manufacturing in China and selling online (Amazon, website). I have contracted a company in Alabama to handle logistics. I will be staying in Asia to manage the business. I do not foresee a permanent residence in the next few years. I will live out of a backpack.

   Do I need a California LLC? Do I need an Alabama LLC? Is there an advantage in setting up an LLC in Wyoming, new Mexico, or Delaware?

   Thanks in Advance!

   • Hi Michael, this falls into the gray zone (as do a lot of “best state” questions), and I really don’t have a clear black and white answer for you. I’ll look more into things and make a few calls if I have time, then follow back up. In the meantime, I’d recommend calling a few attorneys to see what they think is best.

2. Hi Matt,

   My wife and I live in California and we will purchase a rental property in Michigan. It sounds like I set up the domestic LLC in CA, then register a foreign LLC in Michigan (or is it vice versa)? Is that the best way? What about a real estate holding company?

   Thank you for your time.

   • Hi Aaron, you’ll be okay with just forming a domestic LLC in Michigan, since that’s where you’ll be doing business. If you wanted to setup a holding company, Wyoming as the parent LLC is pretty popular among investors. If you get any hassle from CA, you can then register the Michigan LLC as a Foreign LLC there later. Hope that helps.

3. Hi Matt. I have a residency in GA, but I am a traveling healthcare worker who does most of my work in WA, OR, and AZ. Would you still recommend forming an LLC in my home state of GA?

   • Hi Alex, yes, I’d still recommend forming in your home state. Hope that helps.

4. I am planning on being a full time rv’er and traveler which means I will not have a “home” state. I will be running a travel business from the road as I travel throughout the US and the world. What are my options? Can I simply buy a plot of land, say that is my business location, and register accordingly?
   Thanks for the help!

   • To add to Glenn’s question, we are in a similar situation. We are U.S. citizens, live overseas, and do not have an address in the states. Our business is internet based and serves clients all over the U.S. My husband does still have a valid Florida drivers license, but that’s just so he can drive when he visits the states. Do we have a “home” state regarding where we should file our LLC?

     • Hi Leah, apologies for the slow reply. Great question. This certainly falls into somewhat of a gray area and I wish I had a clear black and white answer. Although our lives can be flexible with regards to travel and location-independent business models, tax laws haven’t caught up. Who wouldn’t guesses lol. It’s probably best to form the LLC in Florida, but I’d say in your case, you could get away with selecting any state. Hope that helps.

   • Hey Glenn, apologies for the slow reply. I don’t think you’ll need to purchase any land ;) Where do you currently file state taxes? What state is your driver’s license in? Do you reside in any state for the majority of the year?

5. Hi Mat! Everything is very helpful here. I want to start a business as an investor. Initially I will be funding my business. I live in CA but the cost is crazy high. I am open to the idea of FL (origin) and AZ for cost/tax purposes. I am open to investing in almost anything/everywhere except real estate (for now). What are your thoughts of if I should pick any state that is not so costly or just start in CA. I don’t plan on living here in about 3-5 year ( I am a nomad)! Thanks in advance!

   • Hey Ja, it would still be best to form the LLC in the state where you reside and operate the LLC from… which in this case is California, but I do hear you on the upcoming move. It’s hard to say in this case as there aren’t “LLC police” monitoring things, but the CA Franchise Tax Board has been known to be strict around this. You could form the LLC in AZ and then if CA sends you letter requesting to register your AZ LLC as a Foreign LLC in CA, you can do that later. They do have the power to impose fines though if they find you illegally transacting business. It’s really tough to say. There’s not a clear black and white answer on this. Apologies I couldn’t be more specific.

6. I live in california but i am buying a business in nevada. in which state i have to make llc? In future if i buy business in diffrent state then i have to make there too?

   • Hi Gurmit, will you be buying into an existing LLC with other members? Or do you want to form an LLC and then have your LLC buy the new business? Is the new business already setup as an LLC?

7. Wouldn’t it be much less expensive to pay NO state corp income tax than to file 2 registration fees? So if I have an LLC that makes $2MM next year, and pay a 5.5% corp income tax on that, that is $110K.
   I would rather deal with small hassles than write a check for $110K, or am I missing something?
   Thank you,
   Richard

   • Hi Richard, in your situation, which two states are you deciding between? And where will the LLC be doing business?

8. Hi Matt, thanks for this enlighting article! I’m a Canadian citizen and I live in Canada. I’m planning to start a e-business that will only offer online learning courses. In order to save on taxes, I’m thinking of forming a company in US. In this case, which business structure is more ideal? a LLC or a C-Corp? and in which state to incorporate? Nevada or Wyoming? I’d really appreciate your response. Thank you!

   • Hi JC, I don’t know all the ramifications for Canadians forming US LLCs, but I do know this. When you declare the income in Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will treat your LLC as a Corporation, which will lead to you paying taxes twice (double taxation). You may want to consider another US entity besides an LLC. I recommend speaking with a few Canadian tax lawyers who work on both sides of the border. You also don’t have to limit your options to just Nevada or Wyoming (I’d choose Wyoming over Nevada though)… I’d also consider a state close to where you live in case you want to drive over a few hours and open your US business bank account. Hope that helps! I’d love to hear what you find out and come up with. Feel free to keep me posted.

9. Hi Matt,

   Thanks for going through such detail here! I appreciate the video and how active you’ve been throughout the discussions that followed.

   I’ve received conflicting advice from various sources so I wanted to ask for your two cents on the matter.

   I’m currently in CA and am starting to freelance (working from home doing digital marketing consulting for people in other states and other parts of the world). I am moving to CO in the next 6 months and will continue to freelance. If I form the LLC in CA now, when I move to CO, should I a.) open a new LLC (and close the old) or b.) file a Foreign LLC qualification or c.) re-domicile? What are the pros/cons for each of these options?

   Or would it be more beneficial to form the LLC in CO now and register as a Foreign LLC here in CA for the next 6 months that I am here?

   Or is there a secret option 3 that I haven’t been informed of?

   Thank you in advance!

   • Thank you for your thoughtful comment! First, will you be changing residency from CA to CO? In that case, you could likely just form the LLC in Colorado and not worry about the Foreign LLC filing in California. But to do everything Kosher/proper, it’s recommended to form in Colorado, then Foreign register in California. This will be cleaner to “unhinge” from California later.

10. Question?
    Hi Matt,
    I lived in Texas and ready to launch an online business in Texas. I like to know; Can LLC be converted to C Corp down the load?

    Reason for asking: I have to registered business logo with company name & EIN number.

    Thanks.

    Paul

    • Hey Paul, I’m not sure how the logo + EIN number have to do with converting an LLC to a Corporation. Can you provide more details? Did you obtain an EIN and state your LLC was a Corporation (or something similar)? To answer your question though, yes, a Texas LLC can file a conversion to a Corporation.

11. Matt, my apologies I addressed you as Mark.

    David

    • Hi David, it’s okay. It happens often lol. Thanks for your comment though!

12. Mark, well i found your website a little to late. I formed an LLC in Wyoming, but will work an internet base business in Colorado. From what i’m reading i’ll have to file a foreign entity in Colorado. Can i form an LLC in Colorado as well?

    thank you,

    David

    • Hi David, there’s a few things you could do. First, you could keep things as-is and wait until the state notifies you of the requirement to file as a Foreign LLC. Although, they do have the right to impose fees/fines for illegally operating. Not likely, but possible. Once you get notice, you could register as a Foreign LLC or dissolve your Wyoming LLC and then file a Domestic LLC in Colorado. Alternatively, you can form a Colorado LLC now and then dissolve the Wyoming LLC. On a positive note, you’ll save some money on the Annual Report. Colorado is cheaper than Wyoming. Hope that helps.

13. Hey Matt, Thanks for all of the great info.

    I run an online/telecoaching business. I have a primary address for an LLC in SD, but all of my work is done via phone or web. Does the physical location that I do the work matter? Like if I am traveling to another state, or even have a secondary residence in another state, does it matter as long as the business is managed and taxes paid in the primary business location state?

    At what point exactly does it become “doing business” in another location that one needs to register another LLC, instead of simply being able to do business procedures there and file through the primary location?

    • Hi Jeann, thanks for the nice comment :) We’ll soon be updating this “best state for LLC” page with more context as we get this question a lot. Rather than thinking about where your customers/clients are, think about what state you primarily run/operate/manage the business FROM. In your case, and especially if you reside there, it sounds like this would be South Dakota. When does it become “doing business”… great question! Unfortunately, most states leave their statues “wide open” and don’t state what doing business is… but rather, what isn’t doing business. This gives them more latitude to enforce rules in their favor, if needed. Let me know if you’re curious about a particular state and I’ll see if I can dig up the statute link for you ;) Hope that helps.

14. Hi Matt,
    Your videos are very easy to understand and follow.
    I plan to start an LLC in Ohio, educational consulting, however, I have a home in Ohio and Florida, and would like to work with schools in both Florida and Ohio.
    What will I need to do to make that happen?

    • Hi Ruth, where do you primarily reside and operate the business from? Based on your comment, I’m guessing it’s Ohio. If that’s the case, I’d form a Domestic LLC in Ohio and operate the business that way (even while working with schools in Florida). Later, if you need to register to do business in Florida, you can register your Ohio LLC as a Foreign LLC in Florida.

15. Dude, I searched for some common sense info on how to start a business/best state to LLC and found so much noise until I watched your video; it was clutch. Thanks for turning what could have been a 100 hour wild goose chase into a 7.5 minute video. Rock on!

    • Dude, I love your comment!! Thanks for the kind words and I’m glad we could help you avoid the wild goose chase ;)

16. Sir- I read your article and was not impressed. It misses so much information about why one would choose one state over another when considering opening an LLC. Your entire article focuses on the “cost” issue ONLY. That is just part of doing business for what you’re really paying for when you choose a certain state to register your LLC…..It is about ASSET PROTECTION!!! You never discussed that area and I have to assume that you may not have sufficient experience in this subject.
    For example, opening an LLC for real estate investing in California is suicidal! It’s know as a state that offers the WEAKEST ASSET PROTECTION in America!
    Please do your research before giving these kind folks insufficient advice. There are many books by attorneys in Asset Protection that you can reference. Pay attention to the ruling in Florida on Single Owner LLCs and “Charging Order” and compare it to the reaction by Nevada, Wyoming and Delaware, for example. That’s the primary reason for those states, especially the first two, being so attractive for LLCs.
    It’s ASSET PROTECTION!!
    It would be a great service to your readers if you leave out your biasness. Thank you.

    • Lennox, you’re right. This article needs to address more points. At the time I recorded this video and wrote the article I was trying to keep it simple and help the majority of our readers, which are beginners. Getting into parent/child LLCs, foreign LLC registration, and charging order protection can overwhelm people and lead to inaction (and not everyone needs that kind of setup, at least the majority of our readers). But you’re 100% correct, I did fail to mention information. We’ll soon be revamping this entire video + guide due to all the helpful feedback from people like you, so thank you for input and taking the time to leave your thoughts. It’s been challenging to create guides that help every single person for every single use-case. We’re making improvements though and getting better, so thanks again for sharing.

17. Hello, I moved to Florida and have a construction business operating in Illinois that will remain there. I will not be doing any business in Florida and I will not live in Illinois any part of the year. The manager of the construction business lives in Illinois and handles all the day to day. I would like to have the shares of the construction business LLC owned by my living trust.
    I also have a property currently in a land trust in Illinois which the beneficiary is to be an LLC and I plan to acquire additional real estate in Illinois in the future.
    What would you suggest here? thank you!

    • Hi Steph, can you ask a more specific question? I’m not sure what you need help with. Thanks.

      • Hi Matt, yes of course. What I am wondering which of the following is the best option based on my situation:

        1) Open an LLC in Florida for my business that is operating in Illinois and open an LLC in Illinois for my real estate holdings in IL
        2) Open an LLC in Florida for both my business that is operating in Illinois and for my real estate holdings in IL
        3) Open an LLC in Illinois for both my business that is operating in Illinois and for my real estate holdings in IL
        4) A different option that I am not aware of

        I am a bit confused as where to incorporate due to the fact I live in Florida while having real estate and a construction business in IL

        Does this help at all? I hope I am not complicating things with the way I am asking my question

        Thank you

        • Hey Steph, because the construction business and the investment property constitute doing business in Illinois, you’ll want your LLC to be formed or registered (as a Foreign LLC) in Illinois. Most people tend to live in the state where they do business, but in your situation, that’s not the case, so you really don’t need to form/register any LLCs in Florida. That would make #3 the winner. I’d form 2 Illinois LLCs. One for the real estate and a separate LLC for your construction business. Hope that helps.

          • Really appreciate it the advice Matt, thank you very much!

            • You’re very welcome Steph!!

18. I am planning to invest on real estate in other states outside my home state, California. Is it appropriate to create an LLC in Nevada, Delaware, or Wyoming and not report to my home state since the money is being made elsewhere like Indiana or Florida?

    • Hey David, since you’ll be doing business in the states where the property is located, you’ll need to register your LLC their. There are a few ways to do that. 1) Form an LLC (likely in your home state) and then register as a Foreign LLC in each state you buy property (this is all technically 1 LLC though). 2) Form an LLC for each state and for each property. 3) Form a holding company (say a Wyoming LLC), then form an LLC in each state you operate. Each LLC will then be owned by the holding company (and not you personally… for better asset protection). Depending on the state, you’ll like need to file a return with the Department of Revenue (or similar body) and apportion the revenue to your home state. But that’s not set in stone and there are a few ways to file. I recommend giving our “knights of the roundtable” strategy a try for your tax question. Hope that helps.

19. I plan to retire in less than two years. I read the S-Corp article. I think I will have to wait to see how much I’ll make and then decide if I want to set my current LLC as an S-Corp.

    But original question is where should I incorporate?

    • Good call on waiting on the S-Corp. You can always make that election later. Since you’ll be retiring in CO in 2 years or less, I’d form the LLC there.

20. I am active duty military. My resident state is WA for tax purposes. I live in NC for duty station. I plan to retire and work as a consultant or gov contractor. My work will likely take place in VA, CO or possibly overseas. I would like to move to CO when I retire so I will be required to become a resident there. I would like to incorporate before I retire. Where should I form my LLC? should I form an Scorp for any reason?

    • Hi Joshua, how far off is retirement? Regarding S-Corp, please see our LLC taxed as S-Corp article.

21. I am buying a rental property in NY, but live an Florida. I would like to an llc to be owned by My S corp company i own in FL.What is the best way to structure this?

    • Hi Fernando, I recommend speaking to an accountant to double-check that this is the best setup. Since the new LLC will be a pass-through entity, income/losses/credits/deductions will flow through to your S-Corp before flowing through to your personal tax return, so there may be pros and cons to this setup. Either way, you’ll want to form the LLC in NY since that is where the property is located and that is where you are legally doing business.

22. I’m sure this has been answered, but here goes. I live in Arizona. I am a member of a crypto currency trading company that operates internationally.
    I am planning to receive payment through my llc. Is there any benefit to creating my llc in Nevada?

    • Hey Rick, great question. This one is tough to answer in a black and white format. I don’t think you need to, however there are more details one could get into. Arizona lawyer Richard Keyt has expanded upon this better than we have. Hope that helps.

23. Hello Matt,

    First, I’d like to thank you for the insight you provided in this video. I have a small developer business that I opened a single-member LLC for in my home state of Pennsylvania a couple of years back. However, I myself had heard all of the grandiose press and musings about all of the corporations that had set themselves up in DE and how it was supposed to be so amazing and great from a tax and legal perspective. I was actually in the process of setting up calls with people to see about how to move my LLC there so I could feel more like a “Big Fish” LOL. Your emphasis on DE being great for “CORPORATIONS” pretty much convinced me that I’d do myself a favor by not rocking that boat.

    I do have one question thought: Given the nature of my business – largely software and website development – I really don’t have to be physically in any one place. I’m planning to leave home soon and just travel about the states for a bit while continuing to do that work. Is there anything else I’d really have to do or consider as far as my LLC filing or taxes given that I really don’t plan to be anywhere specific for too long for a while?

    • Hi Yardell, thank you for the thoughtful comment! Glad the video was helpful. Although your business is digital, state laws and tax codes haven’t caught up to this growing trend (and they won’t for a while). The short version of the story is that you still need to claim a state of residency and operate your business from somewhere. The easiest way to think of it, is make the business look “stable and stationary” and you go where you please. Since you’re likely residing in PA, file state taxes in PA, and have a home office in PA, that is where you have “substantial presence”, so it’s easiest in your case to keep doing business in PA, even if you have to take a trip or two. The state and the IRS don’t need to know about all your excursions and travels. Just keep doing business in PA if you catch my drift. We don’t get into depth regarding taxes. #1, it’s not our expertise yet; and #2, the sheer amount of variance and nuances across businesses is overwhelming. Your setup sounds fine to me, but make sure you’re working with competent accountant and are staying compliant with federal, state, and local taxes.

24. Hi Matt. Can you help me decide where I should open a LLC.
    I’m Canadian and live in Ontario so there are several states I can drive to when setting up my bank account. The reason for the LLC is to open up a trading account in the US. That is the only business I will be doing. I will claim my income with Revenue Canada and will be taxed by them. Are there states that will not tax my capital gains on stock investments?
    I have friends and Family in Michigan, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Arizona and South Carolina.
    Can you help me?

    • Hey Cameron, good call on keeping in close for opening the bank account. Regarding capital gains tax in your situation, I’m not familiar as this is currently outside of my wheelhouse. Apologies I couldn’t be more helpful. Feel free to followup if you gain any insight on the topic :)

25. Appreciate the video and insight! I am opening an LLC, sole owner and no employees, which therefore means I will be taxed personally, as opposed to the LLC being taxed directly. Therefore, doesn’t it make sense to file my LLC in Nevada, where personal income tax is 0%, as opposed to my home state which is roughly 3.8% – 5.99% depending on the bracket? Even including the foreign LLC fee for my home state, it still appears I will come out on top by filing outside of my home state.

    • You’re welcome Jared. You’ll pay taxes where the money is made. Forming an LLC in Nevada will still require you to file taxes in your home/operating state, so there are essentially zero tax advantages. You can use our “knights of the roundtable” strategy and run this by a few accountants to double-check.

26. Great information! I am a full time resident of Colorado. I have an opportunity to do some consulting work in Wyoming. If it goes well I may have another opportunity in Arizona with a possible employee. I will be doing zero work in Colorado. Because of that, I initially thought I would form a Wyoming LLC with later forming a foreign entity in Arizona.

    Am I still correct in my thinking to do it this way or would Colorado ever think I am “doing business” here?

    • Hi John, if you are mostly working from home/CO when not meeting clients, then yes, you’re likely doing business in Colorado. Your situation falls into the gray category regarding what qualifies as “materially doing business” in WY and AZ. Apologies I can’t be more specific here, but I recommend speaking with a few attorneys to get their take on the situation.

27. Hey Matt,

    Excellent video! I know in the video you said you should start your LLC out of the state you live in, but what if I’m moving around every 6 months or so? My girlfriend and I have been running a Cooking Blog for about a year now and we’re looking to start an LLC. We plan on traveling to different states and possibly different countries about every 6 months or so. Would this be a case where starting an LLC in a state like Wyoming would be beneficial or would we want to register as an LLC in each state we move to? I appreciate your insight!

    Thank you,
    Tony

    • Hey Tony, no, it’s a major pain to “move” your LLC or dissolve and register a new LLC for each state you are in. You are currently a resident of some state. That’s probably the best state to use. Where are you or your girlfriend originally from, where do you work from when in the states (or where will you work from when you return), and where do you pay state taxes? Although Wyoming can work, the state where you are/were residing and pay taxes might be the best.

28. Hi Matt

    Thank you so much for this information! I was looking at the 2 LLC option as well, being subjected the $800 yearly tax as a CA resident. You made the scenario very clear and understandable. Until your articles, I didn’t realize how much more we are taxed (whole other conversation!).

    So that said I am more inclined to avoid the SMLLC, I’m just one person, as I don’t feel it really protects more than a Sole Proprietorship? In addition, the Schedule R, 586, LLC1, LLC12, 1120S, Excise confirmation, etc, etc. seems like overkill for an apparel drop shipping company.

    I know this is state specific and was wondering if you have insight on “the piercing the veil” I was reading about for CA if you are only one person SMLLC? Not sure an operating agreement makes a difference…

    • Hey Eli, thanks for the nice comment. Regarding Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC, I feel the liability protection is not the same (most others would agree), but you should run this question by a few CA lawyers to get more information. I’d just hire an accountant for all your tax concerns. Just keep your bookkeeping solid. Just make more sales ;) That’s the solution. You mentioned “insight” on piercing the veil, but didn’t ask a specific question, so I’m not sure what you’re looking for. In short, run your entity as a separate entity. Operating Agreement helps. Solid bookkeeping, documentation, and keep business and personal funds separate. Hope that helps.

29. Hi Matt,

    At present my permanent address is in New York State. I do have property in Delaware which I plan to move into after selling my NY property. This move should take place within the next 6 months or so.

    My question is, should I form my LLC in Delaware and pay NYS the foreign LLC fee for that time or register my LLC in NY and then change to Delaware after I move?

    Thanks,
    Rich

    • Hey Rich, this one is a little gray, so you may want to double-check my answer with an attorney. I would form the LLC in Delaware, since you’ll soon enough be residing there. I wouldn’t worry about the NY registrations as unwinding activity up there will be a pain. Also, “moving an LLC” is quite complicated, so if you can avoid that, I would. Hope that helps.

30. Hi Matt,
    My husband & I are US citizens living and working abroad. We’ve formed the local equivalent of an LLC in Europe and now are considering opening an LLC in the States, primarily at this point so we can keep some US investments that now, due to new regulations or regulations previously loosely enforced, are no longer open to us (such as mutual funds). The fund manager has said we need a US address and says we could move the fund to an LLC. This would not only allow us to keep this investment intended for retirement but also would shield it from “wealth tax” (tax on worldwide assets) in the country where we live.

    We intend to return to the States in 3 to 4 years when I reach Medicare age, but to continue working on a part time basis, so would want an LLC at that point in any case. We have no property in the US at the moment, and are not subject to state income tax (though we of course file Federal returns and Fbar, etc and file returns and pay income tax in the country where we reside). So in our case, where do we base our LLC? And is it difficult/expensive to move it from one state (for instance, Delaware or Wyoming) to the state we will eventually reside in when that time comes? We have not settled on a location.

    Thanks much for any help/advice you can give us!

    • Hi Tammy, this is certainly an outlier and an interesting one, as there are many US citizens in similar situations. Let me start backwards: “Is it difficult/expensive to move an LLC?” There are typically 3 ways to move an LLC: 1) Dissolve current LLC and form in new state, 2) re-domesticate if the incoming state allows, and 3) file a Foreign LLC registration. There isn’t enough room to go into the details and all the pros and cons here, but there are a few (things like cancelling vs. keeping existing bank account + EIN)… having said that, we’re working on an article regarding moving an LLC very soon. Overall though, it’s a bit of a headache and has a number of logistics. It’s not entirely expensive, but it can take some time and the paperwork can be a little tedious.

      Now back to the top: In your case, you can pretty much pick any state you’d like, however, it might be a good idea to pick a state you may likely return to and setup some sort of logistics (difficult to pick, I understand). Yes, there is a chance that you’ll need to move the LLC at a future date, but there is also a chance that you may not need to move it (which would be more guaranteed then say, setting up in Wyoming). There are a lot of ways to cut and chop this one, but as a final tip (and since you’ll need a Registered Agent listed anyway), I recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent after you pick the state. You can list their name and address as your Registered Agent, but they’ll also let you use their address for other places on the filing too (for example, principal business address, mailing address, and the Organizer’s address)… which can help if you don’t have a reliable long-term address to use in the states.

31. Just wanted to reassure.

    I’m beginning to start an ecommerce business. I reside in CA but i’m hearing alternatives to ‘save’ on annual fees since CA is so high; others suggested to file in WY.

    Base on your explanation if I were to file an LLC in WY while still living in CA then I would be paying both WY and CA annual fees, tax, etc. due to LLC in WY and foreign LLC in CA. So this is still applicable to ecommerce business I presume?

    If yes, then I would actually be saving money by filing in CA correct?

    Your response is greatly appreciated,
    John

    • Hey John, some people roll the dice and try to get around CA’s taxes and fees, but I don’t recommend it. In short, yes, you are correct on all fronts. It’s cheaper and less risky to just form the LLC in California.

32. Hi,

    I am looking to setup a new business with my brother. I live in NJ but my brother lives in CA. We are flexible as to who could be the owner of the LLC, as in we are ok with it being just me, just him or both. Of course, being an infant company with no guarantee to sustainable success, our goal for first few years is to save as much $$$ in LLC and taxes as possible. Most actual work for the business would take place in CA but i would be managing operations from NJ behind the scenes.

    Given the above, and provided that CA LLC fee is a massive $800, where should we register our LLC? In california or in NJ?

    Options that we are considering are setting up in NJ but having my brother as an employee or setting in CA and having him as the owner for taxation etc.

    What’s your advice?

    • Hey Ali, this is a tricky question to answer and I’m afraid I can’t be too specific here. There is far too much information to sort out here and there a lot of legal and tax questions… both of which we cannot answer. Based on what you said though, this does sounds like a multi-member LLC that should be setup in California since that is where business activities are legally taking place. We have more details here on what is doing business in California. Regarding the ownership/employee stuff, what you shared sounds complicated. If you both actually own the business, then maybe you should both just own the business. Beyond this, any followups would need to be addressed to an accountant and attorney. Apologies I can’t be more specific, but hopefully that helps a bit.

33. Matt,
    I am planning to create an independent mfg’s. rep company with territorial agreements covering New York, New Jersey, Delaware, West VA., Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Arkansas. I live in Wisconsin and would operate the company in WI. I would travel to each of the aforementioned states for business. Must I register as an LLC in each state or register in WI only? Would it be better to create a parent company in WI and setting up child LLC’s in each state? I expect to generate revenue in each of the states mentioned. I do not anticipate employees outside of WI but I do expect to have 1099 contractor relationships.
    Thank you in advance for any clarity you may offer.

    • Hey Stan, great question. In your case, it sounds like there is a chance that you may cross the gray line for the legal definition of “doing business” in some states. However, statutes for this legal definition can vary by state, and you’ll need to speak an attorney (in each state) or two to get their thoughts. Apologies we can’t be more specific here. Having said that, I’d form the LLC in WI, start operations, and then if things get quite active in a particular state, then see if you need a Foreign LLC registration. I’d say a Foreign LLC registration is far easier and less complex than a parent/child company setup in your case. Just having clients in a particular state does not constitute doing business… however, constantly going there and operating out of that state gets more into the territory of doing business. Again, this stuff is gray and I wish we had a more black and white answer for you.

34. Hi Matt,

    Thanks so much for clearing up all the hype about “cheap” states. It’s great to know that I should still do out-of-state if my purpose is protecting real estate. However, I want to form the LLC *before* I buy any property. Do ANY states at all allow a P.O. box as the agent address? Or will I absolutely need to hire an agent in that case?

    The pupose of the LLC is privacy, which is why I want the LLC to do the purchase.

    And yes, I realize my name is on the documents, but someone would have to be LOOKING for it, so it private info wouldn’t be easily available to the public in general.

    • You’re very welcome. Glad it has been helpful :) Off the top of my head, the only state that has a PO Box Registered Agent “quirk” is Ohio. But forming an LLC in Ohio and then purchasing property in another state will create the need for Foreign LLC registration. If you want privacy, considering forming a parent company (say, in Wyoming) and then creating Child LLCs (owned by the Wyoming LLC) in each state where you are buying real estate.

35. Hi Matt,
    Just wanted to thank you for posting this information publicly. I live in Indiana and I had a real estate business a couple of years ago doing some house flipping. I formed my LLC in Delaware based on information I got from a “trainer”. Even then I later realized that I should have filed here in Indy because that is where I was doing business. I have created a new company just doing home repairs and was curious if it would still make sense for tax reasons to file my LLC elsewhere, and you have answered that question. Thanks again! So glad I found this information from you before I essentially created 2 LLC’s when I am just doing business here at home.
    Best wishes,
    Chris

    • Hi Chris, thank you very much for the lovely comment! I’m very happy to hear you found our information before being led too far down the incorrect path. Best wishes in life and in business!

36. Hi Matt,

    Want to set up a LLC for an e-commerce business, 2 members both equally invested. We live would work out of different states. What is the best way to determine what state to set it up in. And it being online only, would the other member have to still apply for a foreign entity in their own state?

    • Hi Elaine, if there is more “activity” taking place in one state over the other, then we’d recommend forming there. If not, you can pretty much pick either state you want. Additionally, for questions like this (which fall into somewhat of a “gray area”), we recommend speaking with a few accountants and attorneys as there are likely additional pros and cons, from a legal and tax standpoint, from one state to the other. Either way, whichever state you form in should be the only state filing to worry about. You won’t need to register a Foreign LLC in the “non-filing” state.

37. I found your article and comments very helpful. I currently have a manuscript that is yet to be formally copyrighted. I Plan to sell the book online only, since it is most beneficial as an ebook. I plan to create a multi members LLC (MMLLC). I currently have personal debt and I will like to make it next near to impossible for a creditor to lay claim to the intellectual property.

    What is your thoughts in regards to creating a MMLLC for holding intellectual property in one of the following: Mexico, Missouri, or Arizona (but not operate or generate revenue). Then have a licensing agreement for a MMLLC in my home state of KY to use the intellectual property. The MMLLC in KY will perform the operating and generate the revenue.

    • I have decided Arizona the best for asset protection, and I do not have to file annual report.

    • Hi Paul, this sounds like a good asset protection plan, but we can’t comment specifically. There are certainly pros and cons to each situation and I’d advise hiring someone (namely an attorney) to help advise you on this.

38. Are there any advantages to forming a llc in another state in order to protect intellectual property from creditors.

    • Hi Paul, there may be, but we don’t get into this level of detail. You may want to run this by a few attorneys to see their thoughts. Apologies I could not be more specific here.

39. i always work for a company that took care of deducting my income tax and social security now a days i found a job that pays me by invoice and i will have to take care of paying my own taxes social security & state tax. some one suggested i create an LLC my question i am 3 years away from retirement and don’t know if i will be working like this for the next 3 years i does it make sense to create an LLC or make the quarterly estimated payments to the IRS & the state.

    thank you

    • Hi Judith, this is more of a tax-based question, where the answer varies. I recommend speaking with a few accountants. Here’s our recommendation. Apologies I couldn’t be more specific.

40. Hi Matt-I am NY resident looking to invest in out of state properties in PA, so the above states that “But if you are investing in real estate located in another state, it is best to form your LLC there”, thus would mean PA would be the logical choice to set up the LLC. To confirm, I would not pay any double fees in NY my home state in this situation, only PA? And wouldn’t i need a physical address in PA? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

    • Hi Rich, you are correct. Since you are investing in real estate in Pennsylvania, then you are doing business in PA, and you should form a Pennsylvania LLC (or multiple ones as your portfolio grows). You would not need to register the LLC in New York, so no worries about double fees. Yes, in PA you need a Registered Office Address. This needs to be a street address. No PO Boxes. You can use an address you have or hire a Commercial Registered Agent. Note: in PA, the official name for a Commercial Registered Agents is a Commercial Registered Office Provider. They are the same thing though. Hope that helps!

41. Hi Matt,

    Thanks for the great article. I have a question pertaining to my situation. I am a pilot, and I will be moving from Arizona to Florida to work as a contract pilot (will be getting a 1099 from my employer). Many contract pilots form LLCs, and I’m looking to do that as well. What state would you recommend I form it in? While Florida may be my “home state” for the next couple of years, as a contract pilot I am likely to be moving around. Is it possible to still maintain a Florida LLC (for example) even if I take a contract pilot position in say Texas? I am currently an Arizona resident – would it be a viable option to form the LLC in Arizona, and maintain residency here despite having contract work in Florida?

    • Hey Kris, this is a bit gray, but since you’re moving to Florida and will move residency there most likely, I’d lean towards a Florida LLC. You can still take contracts in any state, regardless of where the LLC is formed. I’d also recommend chatting with a few attorneys in both Florida and Arizona to get a few different opinions on your situation. Apologies I could not be more specific.

42. Matt – thanks for the very informative article.
    I’m looking to set up an LLC to hold title to an agricultural development in Panama. Currently residence is Illinois, but anticipate move to Florida. Establishing a FL LLC seems more appealing, but you suggest I’d have to set up a foreign LLC in IL.

    Since LLC will not be doing business in US, let alone IL, is an Illinois LLC required?

    • Hi Mike, you’re welcome! In this case, you would not be doing business in Illinois, so you won’t need to register as a Foreign LLC there. I also recommend speaking with a few accountants and attorneys (both state-side and in Panama) as you may want to look at the pros and cons of a US LLC vs. a Panamanian LLC. Hope that helps.

    • Awesome. Thanks much.
      Have been looking at Panama LLC, but complications of doing business there and potentially expensive local registered agents seem a roadblock. Our IL attorney seems to prefer setting up in IL, no surprise. Guess due diligence takes some diligence – Mike H

      • Hey Mike, thanks for the update. I hear you re: the Panamanian complications. I also recommend speaking with a few attorneys in Florida as well. And yes, due diligence takes some time and some digging. Keep me posted.

43. Hi Matt, Thanks for the information. I own several rental properties in Colorado but I reside in Nebraska. I plan to start an LLC in Colorado as you’re video suggests. However, to one property from liability on another property, should I start an LLC for each property. or, Is there a rule of thumb for number of properties or equity value an LLC should be before starting a second LLC ? Also, do you know if I need to register the LLC in Nebraska as a Foreign LLC?

    • Hi George, you’re correct, Colorado is where the LLCs should be formed. You do not need to register your Colorado LLCs as Foreign LLCs in Nebraska, since you working from home on real estate matters is considered “telecommuting”. I just spoke to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office to confirm this. How many properties per LLC is an interesting question. I’d say in Colorado, since the filing and annual fees are so low, you tend to see 1 or 2 properties per LLC. Of course you can also put 5 properties in one LLC, but then all of your eggs are in one basket, and this isn’t the best setup from an asset protection standpoint. Having said that, you’ll also need to consider internal logistics and organization. Meaning, managing 12 banks accounts for 12 rental properties can be a little tedious. But then again, it’s often done. In summary, the answer is gray re: how many properties per LLC. I recommend going with whatever makes you feel most comfortable when balancing asset protection and internal organization.

44. I am planning on investing in RE in Texas and wanted to set up a LLC there since that is where the money will be made. My CPA has recommended that i register that LLC in my home state of CA as well as Foreign LLC.

    Do i really have to register it in CA?

    • Hey Meg, if you’re buying real estate in Texas, then yes, a Texas LLC is the way to go. Whether or not you really need to register your Texas LLC as a Foreign LLC in California is a bit gray. Your accountant is implying that you are doing business in California, and therefore should also register there. I’d also run this question by a few California attorneys because the statutes around “doing business” in California are open to interpretation. Apologies I can’t be more specific, but this one isn’t very black and white. If you make any progress or get any new information, please keep me updated. I’d love to hear what you come up with. Hope that helps. You can find CA attorneys here: https://www.avvo.com/business-lawyer/ca.html

45. Matt — some good advice here, but I’ve got a unique situation not yet completely covered in this blog. I’m looking to open an onshore IRA LLC (probably in WY at this point). Ultimately, that IRA LLC will invest in an offshore IRA LLC (as well as some USA-based passive investments). I currently live and am a non-citizen resident of Peru (SA, not Indiana). When I leave Peru in a couple of years I’ll probably live in the Caribbean somewhere from where I’ll manage the passive investments. Since I’m required by law to declare a state of residency for income tax purposes I chose California since it was where I lived before moving to Peru. But, like others, I have no desire to cough-up $800/yr in franchise fee. I’m probably stuck with being a CA resident until I establish residency in another state even though I don’t own RE or live there. Any thoughts?

    • Hey Roger, although you are not really operating in a particular state, because you have California as your state of residence, one could argue that you are “doing business” there. I recommend running this question by a few California attorneys though as interpreting the CA statutes regarding “doing business” can be gray. I recommend using Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/business-lawyer/ca.html. Additionally, I recommend speaking with your accountant (or a few accountants) regarding changing your residency to a more tax-friendly state. Apologies I could not be more specific here. There is no black and white answer to this one. Feel free to keep me posted. I’d love to hear what you come up with. Hope that helps a bit.

      • Thanks, Matt. I’m a retired tax accountant and financial consultant but, this is indeed a “gray” area. Changing residencies is not a slam-dunk and generally requires one to actively live in the new state. Many states (particularly CA) take a very dim view of retirees (or any citizen for that matter) just changing addresses to avoid taxes or for other business reasons. I have children that live out-of-state so maybe I should just surrender my CA driver’s license and “move in with them.” I’ll will keep you posted on what the attorneys say.

        • Hey Roger, I completely understand. I think moving in with the kids is a good route to consider. Thanks for the followup!

          • As recommended, I did talk with a few attorneys. Some were more concerned with my unnecessarily complex proposed structure that might bring unwanted attention from the IRS (Form 5498). As you correctly pointed out in other blogs, filing requirements and the definition of “doing business” does vary from state-to-state and is akin to trying to grab a greased pig. Therefore, it would be very wise to consult with a business formation attorney and particularly one that has experience in e-commerce for internet-based businesses. This is NOT something that you want to do on your own unless you have this background. For CA, they have safe-harbor provision in their business code which provides some, but not complete guidance. A lot seems to be predicated on the extent of “entering into repeated and successive transactions within the state” and/or other “activities common to businesses” to determine whether registration is required. If in doubt, get a legal opinion letter or contact the Secretary of State’s office.

            • Hey Roger, thanks for the update. A lot of tax code is intentionally ambiguous and open-ended (open to interpretation). This helps the state collect more tax revenue. The “greased pig” analogy had be cracking up lol! So true.

46. I want to set up an LLC or LLP with my daughter and her two friends. They are a performing group and I manage them. I live in Ohio and they live in California. Can I set up the LLC in Ohio if there will be a K-1 issued to all four of us individually?

    • Hey Denise, it sounds like you’re doing business in both states actually. In that case, if most of the business is being done from Ohio, you can form an LLC in Ohio, and if later, you need to register in California, you can then register your Ohio LLC as a Foreign LLC in California. We recommend working with an accountant after the LLC is formed (helpful article on that here), but yes, your accountant should issue K-1s to the members, file your Partnership Return (Form 1065), and also help each member file personally for federal, state, and local taxes. Hope that helps!

47. Hi Matt,

    Recently, I have been exploring the possibility of starting a business and veered towards establishing that business as an LLC. The information that you have provided has helped out a lot, thank you so much for getting the information out there, but there are a few other matters that I am unsure about.

    Backstory: I have a YouTube channel that I would like to monetize but won’t do so until I have established a business in connection to the channel. I would like to link affiliate websites that correspond to the topics that I plan to cover in my videos.

    Question 1: If my LLC receives commissions paid from the Corporation that I would be affiliated with is located in another state in the U.S.A., would my LLC owe taxes to that state?

    Question 2: Could my domestic LLC do business with a company located in another state in the U.S.A.?

    Question 3: If I decided to establish my business as a domestic, single-member LLC, how would I find insurance to provide an extra veil of protection for my assets?

    Question 4: If my LLC is established by April 15th 2017, would my LLC be required to file the annual required on May 1st 2017, or would that roll over to May 1st 2018?

    I hope that I didn’t overstep and ask too many questions.

    Kind regards,
    WT

    • Hey WT, thanks for the kind words. I’m glad to hear our information has been helpful.

      1) Most likely no, but please check with your accountant. If you need help finding one, take a look at this article. 2) Yes. 3) You’ll need to shop around and make calls to insurance agents. The search term is “general liability business insurance”. 4) Which state is this for? Having asked that, the answer is most likely no. In most states, the first Annual Report is due in the year following the year of formation. Hope that helps! Let me know if you need anything else.

48. Hi Matt,

    My partners and I are buying real estate in TN for investment purposes. We want to form a LLC; is your recommendation that we should form the LLC in TN, because that’s where we will be “doing business”? Or, because it’s passive income, can we form the LLC in another state with lower annual fees (such as Wyoming), and not have to worry about registering as a foreign LLC?

    • Hi Robert, in this setup, you’re doing business in Tennessee, so that’s the state where you should be forming the LLC. With Real Estate LLCs, forming an LLC in the state where the property is located is the route to go. The income being passive does not matter in this case. You’re still doing business in TN. Hope that helps.

49. Hi Matt, Thank you for your prompt reply. So are you suggesting WY for extra asset protection due to the fact that we may invest in tax liens/deeds? If we are only investing in real estate (not tax liens/deeds) in TX do you recommend forming it in our home state of TX instead of WY?

    • Hey Deana, it’s really hard to say and we can’t advise in “black and white”. In short, whichever you are more comfortable with. If you’re investing in TX, you can either form a Texas LLC (owned by you) or you can form a Wyoming LLC (also owned by you), which then in turn owns your Texas LLC. Hope that helps! If you want to speak with an attorney, check out Avvo.

50. When we were researching the possibility of investing in Tax Liens & Deeds, we were advised to form two LLCs in Wyoming or Nevada even though our home state is Texas. The first LLC will run the business. We were also advised to establish a Qualified Retirement Plan (QRP) & roll our IRA’s & 401k into the QRP. (QRP is similar to a self-directed IRA but we are the plan administrator). Our QRP should be the member/owner of the 2nd LLC. Texas (& possibly AZ) properties and tax liens/deeds will be purchased with the QRP funds by the 2nd LLC & these funds must be returned to QRP upon sale.
    Do you have any advice concerning this plan? Do you still recommend forming both LLCs in our home state?

    • Hi Deana, in this case, if you want the extra asset protection (WY has the advantage over NV), you can form 2 LLCs in WY and then have them own an LLC in Texas. Or form them in WY and Foreign Qualify in Texas. Regarding the setup of the QRP as owner, I’d recommend getting professional help on that one. Seems like there are a lot of nuanced maneuvers that require experience. In short, you’re supposed to either form a domestic LLC in TX (again, can be owned by a WY LLC), or Foreign quality a WY LLC to do business in Texas. Hope that helps.

51. Hello Matt,
    I have owned 3 different LLCs in 3 different states. We have moved every 5 years, and I have stopped the LLCs in the old states and registered in the new states. I am now without an LLC and want to register a new one. My last state was Arizona and it had no annual filing requirements of fees. I’m now in Maryland and the annual filing is $300. #1) Income will be solely from Android apps from google play store or pay per click ads from google in California either way. Not sure what state the business is transacted in. Do I have to file foreign LLC in all states? #2) I will be moving to Florida or California in 5 years. No employees… just me. Which state do I form LLC in? I realize I have to pay income tax in Maryland, but why should I have to register a foreign LLC in Maryland if I choose to register it in another state?

    • Hey Lang, thanks for question. Your situation certainly doesn’t apply to our simplified article/video lol ;) Since you’ll be working out of MD, as it sounds from your message, you’ll want to form the LLC their. Later, when you move to CA or FL, you can either open a new LLC (and close the old), file a Foreign LLC qualification, or domesticate/re-domicile (if allowed). I know MD is a paid with their $300/year fee, but it’s cheaper than getting caught illegally operating in the state. Although your business is digital, you operate within state borders, therefore, transacting business in Maryland. Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

      • I have to say I really disagree. This article makes it sound like it’s always a good idea to be in your home state, but Lang is a perfect example of why that’s not true. No employees & no sales in the state.

        I agree taxes are not a good reason, but state fee’s and ease of filing and maintaining the company vary widely and can make a big difference in ongoing costs. Also registering in a state is not the same as a whole new incorporation.

        If working under a foreign llc applies to your business, and that is the real question as it doesn’t to all businesses as you noted, then this article misinforms people. Maybe the best of intentions, but it doesn’t make clear who this applies to.

        I have had foreign incorporations and lived worked out of NY and NC, in both cased I didn’t need to ‘create a duplicate’ of my incorporation to be compliant with the state.

        • Hey Kurt, I appreciate your comment and insight. You’re right, this article does need to be expanded to cover more scenarios. However, in Lang’s situation, just because he does not have employees and does not need to collect sales tax, does not be mean he isn’t doing business in his home state. And you’re correct, a Foreign LLC registration does not “duplicate” the LLC, it simply gives it authority to transact in a certain state.

          But you mentioned your concern being about fees and annual fees. In that case, registering out of state, and then later needing to register as a Foreign LLC only increases your fees (filing fees, annual fees, and most likely Commercial Registered Agent fees for the out-of-state LLC). Let me know if I misunderstood, or missed something. I’d also advise digging into the “doing business” statutes of your home state to really get a good overview. I hope this reply has been helpful. Thank again for your comment.

52. Hi Matt,

    Appreciate the articles – very informative. We have a group with 4-5 partners (located in 3 different states but with equal control), and are looking for the best place to file for a domestic LLC. We will be primarily offering online courses via a membership-based platform and occasionally have live, in-person seminars, though they will never occur with any frequency in a specific state or locale. It seems as though we “could” be classified as doing business in multiple states and needing a few foreign LLC registrations, which could be cost-prohibitive to our startup. Is there a better way to approach this? Or, is an LLC not the best structure for our needs? Thank you!

    • Hey Andrew, thank you! In a cross-state multi-member setup it’s common to the form the LLC in the more affordable state, then if Foreign qualifications are needed, worry about that as you expand and your business grows.

53. IF you form an LLC for R/E investing purposes (ie: take title in the LLC name), and then buy property in ‘4’ different states, WHICH state would be best for the ‘owners LLC’…? doesn’t make much sense IF you have to pay ‘4’ other states a ‘foreign LLC’ fee each year… let me know

    • Hey Goi, you’d either form an LLC in each state where you own property, or form 1 LLC in your home state, then do a Foreign LLC registration in each of the other states. Another setup is to form a holding company (say in Wyoming), then have that Wyoming LLC own each of the 4 other LLCs, each of which are formed in their respective property states.

      • Great info, how do you have the Holding company own the 4 separate LLCs? Is there something we need to put in the filing or some sort?

        • Hey Ray, it depends on the state where the child LLCs are located. Some states’ Articles of Organization (or similar document) ask for Member information, but many do not. In that case, you would just list the holding company as the Member in the LLC Operating Agreement. Or you’d enter the holding company as Member if the Articles of Organization (or similar document) asks for it. Make sure to form the holding LLC first. Hope that helps.

          • Very helpful Matt, cant appreciate your comments and expertise enough. I formed a parent Holding company in Wyoming, and an LLC in Detroit where i plan on investing property.

            When i register for my EIN would the business be considered in Detroit or CA? Sorry for the questions but your site has been helpful. I used Northwest registered agents which was easy as well. Cant TY enough.

            • Hey Ray, thank you for acknowledging! I aim to be as helpful as possible. During the EIN application, you’ll want to use your WY address as the LLC’s location address, but check off the box about having a different mailing address, and use your Detroit Michigan address there. Hope that helps!

              • Thanks Matt, just to be clear when applying for the EIN the physical address i should put the LLC WY address?

                Shouldnt the physical address be my home where i live in CA? And put the LLC address for the location of the WY LLC? Sorry just want to be clear.

                Also, when you say Detroit address you mean the LLC Detroit address? I would think you would use my investment property address.

                Thanks again.

                • meant wouldn’t use my investment Detroit address.

                  • Hi Ray, which LLC are you getting the EIN for? The Wyoming LLC or the Michigan LLC?

                    • Im getting it for the Wyoming LLC as that is the Holding company which will oversee the LLC investment properties in Detroit. I live in CA fyi..

                    • Hi Ray, in step #3 (“Addresses / “Where is the LLC physically located”), I recommend using your Wyoming LLC address here, and then checking off “Yes” underneath for the “Do you have an address different from the above where you want your mail to be sent?” question (and listing your California mailing address). This way, all correspondence from the IRS will be sent to your California address. Then later in Step #4 (“Details / “Tell us about the LLC”), I recommend listing the county in Wyoming where your LLC is located, and selecting Wyoming for the following two drop downs (“State/Territory where LLC is located” and “State/Territory where articles of organization are filed”). Hope that helps clarify things.

      • Hi Matt,

        Thank you for providing this website. If you form a parent/holding LLC located in (DE, WY) that owns an operating LLC for LOI & P&S contract located in (NM, WY) that buys existing companies globally, would I have to foreign file either of these in my home state MA?

        • Hi Dee, if I understand correctly, you have not yet formed or filed any LLCs, but you’re thinking of a Parent/Child LLC setup, say for example, a Wyoming LLC is formed first and then that Wyoming LLC owns an LLC that is formed in New Mexico. Unless you have a “usual place of business” in Massachusetts, as per Section 15.01, it doesn’t sound like you’re doing business in Massachusetts and therefore wouldn’t need to register any LLC (Parent or Child) as a Foreign LLC. However, that’s a general overview and you may want to run this by an attorney or two in more detail. Hope that helps!

54. What if I wanted more specific asset protection? Say for example, I wanted charging order protection for a single member LLC. Is it true that only some states provide this? Would it be beneficial to start a single member LLC out of state if my home state did not provide this protection?

    • Hi George, yes, you are correct. A common setup for charging order protection is setting up an LLC in a state that offers charging order protection (you own that LLC), and that having that LLC own your LLC in your home state.

55. Hi Matt,

    Thanks for the article. Currently, we have a Delaware registered entity operation out of Arizona. We did this because we are going through a multistage divestment and were advised that Delaware is the most flexible. I am currently forming a related entity that will be responsible for the trading aspects of our business. This entity will not go through divestment. Would it be better to incorporate this in Arizona or Delaware? It consists of four members with equal control.

    • Hi Samuel, apologies for the slow reply. It’s best to form the LLC in the state where you are transaction business, but this could be a bit gray in your setup (as in: what legally defines transaction business in AZ). I recommend getting in touch with a business lawyer to run this question by them. Hope that helps.

56. Hi Matt,

    We are thinking of starting an LLC, we r 3 or 4 partners, one from Canada and 3 of us reside in NJ, PA, and CA. We r using this for investment purposes only, would it still be better to open in one of our home states or in one of the other ones – ie. Nevada, Delaware. The investments are in CA.

    • Hey Ami, great question. I’m assuming you mean real estate? If that’s the case you’re “doing business” in the state where the property is located, so you’ll want to form your LLC in California. If you were to create the LLC out-of-state, you’d be be required to register as a Foreign LLC in California. Hope that helps! Let me know if you need anything else.

      • Hi Matt, Sorry I think I miss phrased the question. Its not real estate but the investment company office is in CA.

        • Hey Ami, thanks for clarifying. It sounds like you’ll still be doing buisness in CA, so we would recommend filing there. This article may also be helpful: What defines doing business in California

57. Hello Matt. Thank you for all the information you provide. I and a partner are looking at purchasing a small existing company in our home state of CA. We are looking to establish an LLC during due diligence to protect us with the intent to later dissolve it since the business is already a corporation in CA. CA fees are high. If no income is made by the made by the LLC does creating in your home state matter at this point? Looking to not pay high state fees while we do research

    • Hey John, you’re very welcome! Regarding your situation, this is not something I’ve come across, so let me ask, is there a liability risk in the due diligence process? Or do you just need a company name on an LOI or similar document? All LLCs in CA, regardless of activity or income are subject to the FTB’s annual franchise tax ($800 per year).

58. Hi Matt, thanks for the info.
    How do you form a ” Series LLC ” ?
    Been reading about asset protection -real state- not sure how to go about it. Please advise
    Thanks
    Cici.

    • Hi Cici! We generally don’t recommend Series LLCs, as there is not a lot of case law supporting them, and taxes are quite “gray”. They can be overly complex, especially for businesses with less than $1M in assets, and for small business entrepreneurs. We currently don’t offer information/guides on Series LLCs, but recommend speaking with an attorney for more information. Thanks.

59. Hey Matt:

    Thank you for your information! I live in New York and I just formed an LLC here. But I just found out that the article publication fee is so high and I can’t afford it, since my company doesn’t make money in this moment. What will be my other options? And will I still pay lots of taxes even if there is no revenue?

    Thanks a lot! Karen

    • Hi Karen! You’re very welcome. You will have to file taxes, but you will likely not owe anything with no revenue. You’ll need to pay for someone to do your taxes, so there might be some small fees there, but it shouldn’t be too bad. There aren’t really any other options, since if you closed this LLC ($60) and formed in another state, that wouldn’t help – it would actually be more expensive. If you form an out-of-state LLC, you’ll still be required to register your out-of-state LLC as a Foreign LLC in NY. Now you’ll have 2 LLCs, additional costs, 2 annual fees, AND you’ll still need to meet the publication requirements in New York. There’s a small catch, which I think will help though… you can fulfill the newspaper publication requirement at a later date (as in, after the deadline). Your LLC will still be valid, but you cannot sue in the NY court system until meeting this requirement, as per state law. In essence, your LLC is “not in good standing” but it will not prevent you from doing business and protecting your personal liability. We haven’t published an article on this yet, but please check out these resources: Ignoring the publication requirement and What if I don’t publish in NY (last section on page).

60. Hello, I want to start a LLC in the US just for investment in the Financial Markets. I live overseas and I don’t have a US address. I thought in starting it in a low cost State (NM, OH or SC).

    My question is: Do I have to get a virtual address in that state or not? If so, any suggestion on a low cost alternative? Thanks and Kind Regards.

    • Hey Antonio, non-US citizens and non-US residents have a lot of options when it comes to what state they choose. And apologies for any confusion, since the video and webpage don’t pertain to you. I recommend checking with a tax professional who understands international taxes, as you may (or may not) need to file/pay US taxes, as well as taxes in your own country. I recommending making a few tax phone calls and then selecting the US state with the most favorable tax treatment for how your income is derived. International tax law is quite gray, so I’d talk with at least 5 people to get clarity. In general, non-resident aliens who have capital gains, and have their money held in a USD denomination, in a US brokerage account, will not pay capital gains tax in US. But you likely need to pay capital gains tax in your country. Also, dividends are taxed differently. You likely need to pay a 30% tax on dividends that are paid by US companies. That is just “in general” though. There are many exceptions (ex: dividends paid by non-US companies) to your situation though, so again, best to consult a number of tax professionals knowledgable and experienced in US/international tax law. Hope that helps a bit :)

      • Do you have list of recommended tax professionals who can help?

        • Hi Niks, no, not at this time. However, please see tips for finding an accountant.

    • And as far as an address goes, yes, you’ll need a physical/street address on your LLC forms. This is called the Registered Agent in most states. I would avoid the virtual office services, as those are more expensive. I recommend just hiring a Commercial Registered Agent. The company we recommend is Northwest Registered Agent. Any mail that is sent to your LLC will be scanned by them and uploaded to your online account. Hope that helps!

      • Hey Matt, nice video! I will invest in real estate in the near future, and I’m wondering where to form an LLC. I currently live in NH and do not plan to stay for long. My first investment will be in GA, but I plan on doing business in various states. Is Delaware or any of the hyped up states a good option?
        Thank you.

        • Hi Dieggo, thank you! You’ll want to form each LLC in the state where the property it will own is located. The reason for this is because the state where the property is located is the state where the LLC will legally be doing business. Depending on the value of your real estate and whether or not the state where you’re forming the LLC has charging order protection, some investors do form a parent LLC (Wyoming being the most popular), and then that Wyoming LLC will own the LLC formed in the state where the property is located.

          • Hi Matt,
            Much like Dieggo in this chat forum, I am planning to purchase rental real estate, first in Indiana, then in other states (Georgia, Texas, etc.). I understand the benefit of LLCs and the need to form real estate LLCs in the state where the property is located. What I would appreciate clarification on is the reason/benefit of forming a Wyoming LLC, as you mention a few times, which would own the “child” LLCs in the states where property is located as compared to simply forming an LLC within those states without the “parent” LLC in Wyoming. Thank you.

            • Hi Alex, great question. To add some clarification, the Wyoming LLC holding company isn’t our “go to recommendation”. We were just sharing an approach that some people take. This “what’s the best state” subject matter can get a bit complex and there’s no “one size fits all” (unfortunately). The main reason the holding company LLC is popular is for charging order protection (if you’re sued personally, having a holding company LLC may offer asset protection for the assets owned by the child LLCs). However, a caveat here is that charging order protection is not always straightforward. Meaning, there are details, quirks, and exceptions to the rules. If you have – or are going to have – lots of assets spread across multiple states, there really is a myriad of ways to take take title and structure your entities. We recommend speaking with at least one (if not a few) real estate and/or asset protection attorneys. Hope that helps.

      • Matt, i found your post to be the most useful. i am reading through a lot of comments, but I would like to be sure. so if I live in CA, but I want to invest real estate in OH, and I am thinking of opening an LLC in WY since it offers extra protection. i don’t plan to register a foreign LLC in CA, but I will file taxes in WY, and OH? am I on the right track?
        does it mean that I need to have a LLC in WY and a LLC in OH?
        do you see that potentially complex my tax situation?
        any advice?

        • Hi Nicole, what protection are you referring to regarding Wyoming? Those “protections” usually don’t apply unless you reside in Wyoming. Please also see When is an LLC doing business in California. As a California resident, if you form an LLC out of state, it would need to be registered as a foreign LLC in California, generally speaking. You could also go the other way around: form an LLC in California and register it as a foreign LLC in Ohio. Or another setup could be to form a California LLC and have that California LLC own an LLC in Ohio.

    • As a foreigner your tax is automattically witheld when you invest in US stocks. The tax rate is 30%. You dont even need to file a tax return as a foreigner as tax is automattically with held by the broker and paid to the IRS.

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