Free LLC for Veterans in Michigan

Michigan LLCs are free for Veterans

Dear Veteran,

Thank you for your service!

And good news, Michigan LLCs became free for Veterans after House Bill 4399 was passed in 2015.

Not only is it free to form your Michigan LLC (normally $50), but it’s also free to file your LLC Annual Report – aka Annual Statement (normally $25).

You just need to:

• show proof that you’re a Veteran,
• make a request to have your fees waived,
• and file your documents by mail.

Who qualifies for the fee waiver?

The Michigan Veterans and Members of Armed Forces Act, Section 35.61 defines a Veteran as someone:

…who served in the United States Armed Forces, including the reserve components, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable…

In simpler terms, as long as you were not dishonorably discharged, you can qualify for the Michigan LLC fee waivers.

What are the requirements to have my LLC fees waived?

There are 3 requirements:

1. Proof of military discharge other than dishonorable
2. 51% or more of the LLC is owned by Veterans (as per Michigan LLC Act: Section 450.5101)
3. Complete a Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit)

How do I provide proof of Veteran status?

Veterans usually submit one of these items as proof of status:

• Michigan Driver’s License (or ID card) with Veteran designation in red and on the front of your license
• DD-214 (any copy except Copy 1)
• VA Veteran Health ID Card

You’ll need to make a copy of your ID or document to include it with your Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit), which is explained below.

Other acceptable forms of proof can be found here:
Michigan.gov: Waiver of fees for veterans

Notes:

• Don’t modify your DD-214 or other document. Don’t cross out any information.
• The state will review your documents and then shred them.
• If you don’t have your DD-214, you can request a copy from milConnect or the National Archives.
• Request your military service records (including DD214)

Examples of Veteran Majority Ownership

The Veteran (or Veterans) who own your LLC must together own 51% or more to qualify for the fee waivers.

Examples:

Bucky is a Veteran, and owns a Single-Member LLC called Arm Upgrades LLC. Because Bucky owns 100% of the business, Arm Upgrades LLC qualifies for the fee waivers.

Peggy, Steve, and Roger own a Multi-Member LLC called Shield and Song LLC. Peggy owns 30%, Steve also owns 30%, and Roger owns the remaining 40%. Peggy and Steve are Veterans, but Roger is not. Because Peggy and Steve together own a majority (60%), Shield and Song LLC qualifies for the fee waivers.

Sam and Sarah own Crab Boat of Dreams LLC. Sam is a Veteran, and owns 50%. Sarah is not a Veteran, and she owns 50%. Because Sam does not own a majority, Crab Boat of Dreams LLC doesn’t qualify for the fee waivers. In this case, Sam would need to own 51% and Sarah would need to own 49% to qualify.

How to get the fees waived when forming a Michigan LLC

There are 4 steps to getting your fees waived when forming an LLC:

1. Make sure you have proof of Veteran status
2. Complete the Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit)
3. Complete the Articles of Organization form
4. Mail all items to the state

1. Make sure you have proof of Veteran status

Make a copy of the ID or document you will use to proof your Veteran status.

2. Complete the Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit)

Download the state’s Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit).

Enter your desired Michigan LLC name at the top.

Then enter the name(s) of the Veteran(s), how much of the LLC they own, and which document or ID you’re using to prove your Veteran status.

Pro tip: Don’t list any other LLC Members who aren’t Veterans on this form. This means Veteran ownership percentages don’t have to total 100% (they just need to total 51% or more). However, if you have a Single-Member LLC, just enter your name and 100% ownership.

Don’t sign the form yet (because this form needs to be notarized).

Find a notary near you and then sign the form with the notary there. The notary will then sign and stamp your form at the bottom.

3. Complete the Articles of Organization

The Articles of Organization is the document that – once approved by the state – creates your LLC.

For step-by-step instructions on how to complete your Articles of Organization, please see this page: Michigan LLC Articles of Organization.

4. Mail all three items to the state

Take your proof of Veteran status, Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit), and your completed Articles of Organization and mail them to:

Michigan Corporations Division
PO Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909-7554

How to get the fees waived for the Michigan LLC Annual Statement

There are 4 steps to getting your fees waived for the Annual Statement (aka Annual Report):

1. Check if you need proof of Veteran status
2. Complete the Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit)
3. Complete the Annual Statement form
4. Mail all three items to the state

1. Check if you need proof of Veteran status

If you formed a free Veteran LLC, you don’t have to submit proof of Veteran status again. It’s already on file with the state.

If you didn’t form a free Veteran LLC, you’ll need to make a copy of the ID or document you will use to prove your Veteran status.

2. Complete the Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit)

Download the state’s Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit). This one is specifically used for Annual Statements.

Enter the ID Number and name of your LLC at the top. If you don’t know your LLC’s ID Number, you can search for it on the state’s Business Entity Search page.

Then enter the name(s) of the Veteran(s) and how much of the LLC they own.

If your proof of veteran status is already on file with the state, you don’t need to enter anything in the “Type of Evidence” column. If this is your first time request a free filing with the state however, you’ll need to enter whichever document or ID you’re using as proof.

Pro tip: Don’t list any other LLC Members who aren’t Veterans on this form. This means Veteran ownership percentages don’t have to total 100% (they just need to total 51% or more). However, if you have a Single-Member LLC, just enter your name and 100% ownership.

Then the Veteran(s) need to sign the form and date it.

Note: Unlike the Veteran Fee Waiver Request form used to form an LLC, this form doesn’t need to be notarized.

3. Complete the Annual Statement

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) will mail a pre-printed Annual Statement form to your Registered Agent every year.

If you’re the Registered Agent for your LLC, the pre-printed form will be mailed to you. If you hired a Registered Agent Service, you’ll need to download the form from your online account or contact them to get it.

Review the information on your pre-printed Annual Statement. If you need to make any changes, please do so on the form. Then sign and date the Annual Statement.

(For more details and instructions regarding this form, please see Michigan LLC Annual Statement.)

4. Mail all three items to the state

Take your proof of Veteran status (if necessary), Veteran Fee Waiver Request form (Affidavit), and your completed Annual Statement and mail them to:

Michigan Corporations Division
PO Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909-7554

What Other Forms Can I File for Free?

Veterans can request a fee waiver on any form filed with the Secretary of State.

For a list of all LLC forms, please see: Michigan Secretary of State: LLC Forms.

Michigan Secretary of State Contact Info

If you have any questions about the Veteran fee waiver request, you can contact the Corporations Division at the Michigan Department Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Their phone number is 517-241-6470. Their hours are Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm Eastern Time.

Can Veterans form a regular LLC instead?

Yes, Veterans don’t have to form a Veteran LLC. Instead, they can just form a regular Michigan LLC and pay the $50 fee.

You don’t have to file anything extra when forming a regular LLC.

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.
 
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.