Deal alert! Northwest will form your LLC for $39 (60% discount). See details.
To start an LLC in Indiana, file Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State. This costs $95 and takes 1 day for approval.
There are 5 steps to follow:
- Choose an LLC Name
- Select a Registered Agent
- File Articles of Organization
- Create an Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
If you want to form your LLC yourself, follow our free guide below.
If you want someone to take care of it for you, we recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(We recommend Northwest. We've reviewed all the top companies in the industry. And Northwest is our #1 pick for prices, customer support, and address privacy. Check out Northwest vs LegalZoom to learn more.)
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Indiana?
It costs $95 to start an LLC.
And then it costs $31 every 2 years.
What are these fees for?
- The $95 is to file the Articles of Organization – the document that creates an LLC.
- The $31 every 2 years is for your Business Entity Report – a mandatory filing that keeps your LLC in good standing.
Note: These fee amounts are for filing Articles of Organization and your Business Entity Report online. Filing these documents by mail is more expensive, and we recommend that you file online.
To learn more about LLC Costs, see LLC Costs in Indiana.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Indiana?
If you file your LLC by mail, it will be approved in 5 business days (plus mail time).
But if you file online, your LLC will be approved in 1 business day.
Please see How long does it take to get an LLC in Indiana to check for any delays.
Here are the steps to forming an LLC in Indiana
1. Search your LLC Name
Search your LLC Name to make sure it’s available in the state.
You need to do this because two businesses in the state can’t have the same name.
First, search your business name and compare it to existing businesses in the state. You can make sure the LLC Name you want is unique from existing businesses using the InBiz: Department of Business Services Database.
Second, familiarize yourself with the state’s LLC naming guidelines (so your LLC gets approved).
We’ll explain both in more detail here: Indiana LLC Name.
2. Choose a Registered Agent
The next step is to choose a Registered Agent.
An Indiana Registered Agent is a person or company who accepts legal mail and state notices on behalf of your Limited Liability Company.
Who can be an LLC Registered Agent?
You have 3 options for who can be the Registered Agent:
- You
- A friend or family member
- A Registered Agent Service
The Registered Agent for your LLC must have a physical street address in Indiana. PO Boxes aren’t allowed.
And the Registered Agent’s name and address will be listed on public records.
If you don’t have an address in Indiana, or you want more privacy, you can hire a Registered Agent Service for your LLC.
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent
Our favorite feature about Northwest is they’ll let you use their office address throughout your LLC filing. This way, you can keep your address off public records.
They’ll also scan any mail sent to your LLC and upload it to your online account.
Northwest has excellent customer service, and they’re who we trust to be our own Registered Agent.
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
3. File Articles of Organization
To start an LLC, you need to file the Indiana Articles of Organization.
It costs $95 to file Articles of Organization online with the Indiana Secretary of State: Business Services Division. This is a one-time fee to create your LLC.
If you want to file this yourself, see our step-by-step guide: Indiana Articles of Organization.
Or, you can hire a company to do it for you.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An Operating Agreement serves as a “companion” document to the Articles of Organization.
The Articles of Organization creates your LLC, and the Operating Agreement shows who owns the LLC.
Additionally, some banks require an Operating Agreement when you open an LLC bank account.
And having an Operating Agreement will be very helpful if you ever end up in court. Reason being, it helps prove that your LLC is being run properly.
That’s why we recommend that all LLCs have an Operating Agreement – including Single-Member LLCs.
Furthermore, an Operating Agreement is an “internal document“. Meaning, you don’t need to file it with the state or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Just keep a copy with your business records.
You can download a free template below.
Then, learn how to fill it out by watching our step-by-step Indiana Operating Agreement video.
5. Get an EIN for your LLC
The next step is to get an Indiana EIN Number from the IRS for your LLC.
Note: An EIN Number is also called a Federal Tax ID Number or Federal Employer Identification Number.
An EIN Number is used to:
- identify your LLC for tax purposes
- open a business bank account
- apply for business licenses and permits
How much does an EIN cost?
Getting an EIN Number from the IRS is completely free.
How long does it take to get an EIN?
If you apply online, it takes 15 minutes.
If you apply by mail or fax, it can take 1-3 months.
How can I get an EIN?
US Citizens/US Residents: If you have an SSN or ITIN, you can apply for an EIN online. Follow these instructions: Apply for an EIN online.
Non-US Residents: You can’t get an EIN online, but you can still get one by fax or by mail. Follow these instructions: How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN.
What do I do after my LLC is approved?
After your LLC is approved, there are some additional steps.
LLC business bank account
You’ll want to open a business bank account for your LLC.
This makes accounting and record-keeping much easier for your business finances.
Having a separate business bank account also maintains your personal liability protection. This is because it keeps your business finances separate from your personal finances.
Get business licenses and permits
Good news, Indiana doesn’t have a state general business license.
However, depending on where your LLC is located, you may need a local business license or permit.
For example, if you want to start a daycare, you may need a business license from the city or county.
You can learn more on our Indiana Business License page.
File your Business Entity Report
All Indiana LLCs must file a Business Entity Report every 2 years.
The Business Entity Report keeps your LLC in good standing with the state.
How much does a Business Entity Report cost?
The LLC Business Entity Report filing fee is $31 every 2 years.
Note: This is the price for filing your report online. It costs $50 to file by mail. We recommend filing the Business Entity Report online because it’s cheaper and faster.
When is the Business Entity Report due?
Your LLC Business Entity Report is due before the last day of your LLC’s anniversary month.
Your LLC’s anniversary month is the month your LLC was approved by the state.
All LLCs are required to submit this report and payment every 2 years.
When is my first Business Entity Report due?
Your first Business Entity Report is due 2 years after your LLC was approved.
For example, if your LLC was approved on March 15, 2025, your first Business Entity Report is due by March 31, 2027.
How do I file my LLC Business Entity Report?
You can file your LLC’s Business Entity Report online or by mail. We recommend the online filing because it’s easier to complete.
Follow our step-by-step guide here: Indiana LLC Business Entity Report.
Taxes
LLCs don’t pay federal taxes. Instead, the LLC Members pay the taxes for the LLC.
Said another way, the owners pay taxes for the LLC as a part of their personal tax return.
How will my LLC be taxed?
By default, an LLC is taxed by the IRS based on the number of owners your LLC has:
- A Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship.
- A Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership.
Alternatively, you can ask the IRS to tax your LLC like a C-Corporation or S-Corporation.
Besides federal taxes, there are also state and local income taxes. And you may have to pay and collect sales tax.
Learn more in Indiana LLC Taxes.
How to Start an LLC in Indiana FAQs
Can I start an LLC online in Indiana?
Yes, you can file your LLC online in Indiana. The Articles of Organization filing fee is $95.
When you start your LLC online, it will be approved in 1 business day.
What are the benefits of an LLC?
The first benefit of an LLC is protecting your personal assets. Meaning, if your business is sued, your personal assets – like your home, cars, and bank accounts – are protected.
This protection applies to all LLC owners (called LLC Members). It doesn’t matter if you have a Single-Member LLC or Multi-Member LLC. All of the LLC owners are protected from the business debts and liabilities.
This type of protection wouldn’t apply if you operate as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership. With these types of informal business structures, the owners aren’t protected in the event of a lawsuit. For that reason, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a much more popular business structure.
Another benefit is LLC pass-through taxation. This means the LLC itself doesn’t pay federal income taxes. Instead, the profits “pass through” to the LLC Members. And the Members pay the taxes on their personal tax return.
And Indiana state income taxes are very similar, since the state honors the federal tax treatment of your LLC.
To learn more, please see How are LLCs taxed.
Is Indiana a good state to start an LLC?
Whether Indiana is a good state to start an LLC depends on where you live – and where you’re doing business.
Meaning, if you live in or do business in Indiana, then you should start your LLC there. While many websites talk about tax rates and advantages of certain states, none of that applies if it’s not the state where you live and do business.
For example, if you form an LLC in Delaware, but live in and conduct business in Indiana, you’ll also need to register your Delaware LLC in Indiana (and pay extra fees). And you’ll end up paying Indiana taxes anyway. This ends up leading to more costs and more headaches with no advantages.
In summary, if you live in and conduct business in Indiana, then yes, it’s a good state to start a business. If you don’t live in and do business in Indiana, then no, it isn’t a good state to start a business.
Real estate exception: If you’re purchasing real estate outside of Indiana, you should form your LLC in the state where the property is located.
For more information, please see Best State to Form an LLC.
References
Indiana LLC Act
INBiz: Start a Business
Indiana.gov: Business Owner’s Guide
Indiana Department of Revenue: Business Tax FAQs
Indiana Secretary of State: Expert Advice for Small Businesses
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
Hi Matt,
I have an LLP but I have since ended that partnership. I know I need to dissolve the llp and create a new llc. Do you know that steps required to dissolve with the secretary of state?
Hi Fred, you can also create the LLC first, then dissolve the LLP later (just in case you were thinking you need to dissolve the LLP first).
To dissolve your LLP in Indiana, you’ll need to file a Withdrawal (the fee is $20). You can do this online by creating an account with InBiz. After you create an account and login, hover “Online Services” in the main men, and then click “Withdrawal”. Hope that helps!
Hi, Matt! This page by far contains all the necessary info in the most concise manner– THANK YOU!
I live in Indiana and am looking to make my yoga/health business an LLC, as it just seems to be whatpeople in. I would be an independent contractor. Would an LLC be the most beneficial option? I’m not full time and don’t work many hours, so I’m really just wanting to form the LLC for the legal protection.
Hey Courtney! Thanks so much for the kind words. We’re happy to help :)
Yes, totally cool, appropriate, and normal to form an LLC for your yoga and health business (even if you’re just getting things started). You’re not required to form an LLC though; you could operate as a Sole Proprietorship in Indiana. However, we don’t recommend Sole Proprietorships since you wouldn’t get the liability protection like you would with an LLC.
Hi Matt, I live in Indiana and wanted to start a non profit organization in Indiana and Illinois. I am not sure if I would need an LLC or if it would be a sole proprietorship. I want to get business accounts and grants to help fund my non profit. Would I need two different EIN numbers for each state? I
Hi DNeisha, it would be neither. A Sole Proprietorship can’t be a non-profit and neither can an LLC (unless the LLC is owned by a tax-exempt non-profit entity). You can operate a Sole Proprietorship or an LLC that does good, but it won’t be tax exempt. A Non-profit is a Corporation formed at the state level that then applies for tax-exempt status with the IRS. It’s quite an involved process and should be filed by a person or company that specializes in such filings. Hope that helps.
I live in California and am starting a Business in Indiana and Ohio. Would I need a LLC for each state? Or just one LLC covering both Indiana and Ohio to make book keeping easier for tax purposes.
Hi JB, same business activities going on in Indiana and Ohio? And will you be running these businesses from California?
Hi!!
Thanks for this wonderful site. Just heard about it today.
I have an LLC for bakery but I want to get into also selling supplies. Can I put this under the same LLC or do I need to Incorporate? And do I have to get a different EIN?
Hi Maya! You’re very welcome. You can do whichever you please. Meaning, one LLC can engage in multiple business activities. If that were the case, there would only be one EIN.
While your personally assets are protected by you having one LLC engage in two business activities, the liability of one business activity will extend to the other (and vice versa). I’m not sure if that’s a concern. If it is, you’d then want to consider two LLCs. Each LLC would have its own EIN.
Two separate LLCs also means two separate LLC bank accounts. That can making things easier from a financial, bookkeeping, and tax perspective. Said another way, more organized. Hope that helps.
Hey Matt,
Thank you for a very insightful write-up, though I’m still a bit confused on maintaining an llc. (Sole proprietorship)
I started an llc earlier this year, but never got it off the ground. It hasn’t generated any income, nor are there any assets/money/accounts with it. It was only formed and due to covid, never done anything more with it.
My question is, (as to not get in any trouble with taxes). Do I need to do anything special with state/federal taxes and is there anything I may not be aware of in that regard?
Hi John, you’re welcome. Federally, you don’t have to file or pay anything to the IRS. We’re not sure about any filings in Indiana though. We recommend calling an accountant or two to double-check.
I have 2 llc businesses but i want to bring one in and have the other one as the umbrella company..how would i go about doing this.
Hi Tonya, so if you have Red LLC and Purple LLC (both owned by you), you want Red LLC to now own 100% of Purple LLC. Is that correct? If so, you will need to sign an Assignment of LLC Membership Interest and transfer 100% of your ownership in Purple LLC to Red LLC. You’ll also want to amend the LLC Operating Agreement for both LLCs. You’ll also want to let your accountant know, since Purple LLC will now report its taxes as a brach/division of Red LLC. What are you looking to accomplish by doing this?
Hello Matt!
Your website is so helpful and easy to navigate. What a wonderful resource.
I have a question about the two recommended providers you listed to set-up the LLC.
Do these providers complete all the required filings to the state including the acquisition of the Tax Id #?
Hi Kevin, thanks for the kind words! Most filing services will complete all the LLC paperwork in the formation process as well as obtain the Federal Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS if you elect this service during checkout. Keep in mind though, that there will likely be additional tax filings and paperwork after your LLC is formed. For that reason, we recommend speaking with an accountant after your LLC is formed. You’ll also want to research if your LLC will need to obtain any business licenses or permits in Indiana. Hope that helps.
How much legal responsibility is there for an Indiana LLC to comply with the provisions of the operating agreement?
Hi Don, I’m not 100% sure, so apologies, but I wouldn’t be able to answer that question for you.
Our LLC has 4 members, we tried to apply for the EIN. Filled in all the info … only able to enter 1 person’s information (SSN, address, phone on the authenticate step (2). And choose “I am oneof the owners, members, or the managing member of this LLC”. Once continue, it doesn’t ask for others members’ information, Is it correct?
Hi Ann, yes, you just need one Responsible Party on file with the IRS. The IRS does not care who all the members are, since each owes their taxes on their personal 1040 personal return. We have more details about the IRS Responsible Party here: EIN Responsible Party for LLC. Hope that helps.