Price to Form LLC in Connecticut: Various Costs Revealed for Connecticut LLC
Hire Professionals For the Best Price for Form a Connecticut LLC
Make a budget before creating a limited liability corporation (LLC). To do this, you must be aware of the costs involved in forming an LLC in Connecticut. You must file your Certificate of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of State and pay the $120 filing fee in order to establish a Connecticut LLC.
By submitting Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State and paying the required filing fee, a Connecticut LLC can be created. The Operating Agreement of a Connecticut LLC, which is composed and approved by its members and specifies the organization’s management structure, governs the LLC. In exchange for a share of ownership, each member contributes capital.
We also encourage you to read our full guide on how to start a Connecticut LLC.
- Hire Professionals For the Best Price for Form a Connecticut LLC
- Forming LLC in Connecticut: Various Costs
- Your Own LLC in Connecticut: Step-by-Step Instructions
- After forming an LLC, There are a Few Things You Should Do
- In Connecticut, Employee Recruitment is Crucial
- FAQ: Forming LLC in Connecticut – Various Costs
- Professional Help in Forming a Company in the State of Connecticut
- The Bottomline
Forming LLC in Connecticut: Various Costs
| Description | Fee |
| Fee for Filing an LLC Online in Connecticut | $120 |
| Connecticut Annual Report Fee | $80 |
| Fee for Registered Agent | about $100/yr. |
| Cost in Connecticut to Form a Foreign LLC | $120 |
| Reservation of Connecticut LLC Name | $60 |
| Reservation of Connecticut Foreign LLC Name | $60 |
| “Doing Business As” Name | $120 |
| Document Copies on Plain Print | $40 |
| Certified Document Copies | $55 |
| Legal Existence Certificate | $50 |
$120 – Fee for Filing an LLC Online in Connecticut
The $120 price to file your LLC’s Certificate of Organization online with the Connecticut Secretary of State is the most expensive part of incorporating an LLC.
$80 – Connecticut Annual Report Fee
The annual report costs $80. In order to be in good standing, your LLC must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. Unless you request that the Secretary of State file your annual report by mail, you must submit it online.
The LLC’s annual report must be filed between January 1 and March 31. If paperwork is not filed on time, late fines may apply.
about $100/yr. – Fee for Registered Agent
Connecticut law requires all LLCs to have a registered agent in the state who may receive business-related legal paperwork.
You will include information about your registered agent when you file your free Connecticut certificate of incorporation. There is a $50 fee if you need to change your agent.
Rookie LLC owners commonly assume that designating oneself as their LLC’s registered agent in Connecticut is a smart idea. Many individuals may be unaware that this means posting their addresses online and being available to receive papers at all times throughout normal business hours.
As a result, using a reliable registered agent service makes more sense. For a nominal annual charge of roughly $100, the company will ensure that your LLC’s registered agent’s requirements are satisfied.
$120 – Cost in Connecticut to Form a Foreign LLC
If you currently have an LLC established in another state and want to extend your business into Connecticut, you’ll need to register it as a foreign LLC.
Set aside some extra funds if you want to expand your business into other states. You will not need to form a new LLC, but you will need to register as a foreign LLC in each state where you wish to do business.
In Connecticut, all foreign enterprises must meet certain requirements or face stiff penalties. Filing can be done either online or on paper. Each method costs $120. This file is identical to the Certificate of Organization in that you only need to submit it once and pay the filing fee if it is accepted by the Secretary of State.
Permits and Licenses for Businesses
Your business may require federal, state, and municipal permits/licenses to lawfully operate in Connecticut, depending on your industry and geographic area. This is true whether you create an LLC or any other sort of business entity. You might need to get particular licenses before starting a business in Connecticut, depending on the sort of business you’re establishing and where you’re situated. For instance, before serving customers, a restaurant must get a “Food Service Certification” from the Department of Health.
Some businesses, however, need the acquisition of a license at the state, local, or county level. Find out if your particular form of commercial activity needs a business license by visiting the website of the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection.
Connecticut LLC Overall Cost and the Greatest Alternatives
| Who forms the LLC? | Total fees |
| You form the LLC in Connecticut yourself | $120+ ($80 Annual Report + $60 LLC Name + $50 Legal Existence Certificate) |
| by using ZenBusiness | $49+ |
| by using Northwest Registered Agent | $39/mo |
| see our other top-rated LLC service providers | varies |
Fees for forming a Connecticut LLC that aren’t included above
There are several additional charges associated with incorporating an LLC:
$60 – Reservation of Connecticut Limited Liability Company Name
You can reserve your name for up to 120 days before forming your LLC by filling out an Application for Reservation of Name and paying the $60 filing fee. You could choose to reserve the name with the Secretary of State if the name you desire is available but you are not yet prepared to complete your Connecticut LLC papers. You can pay the Connecticut Secretary of State to reserve a company name for 120 days. We offer a service that can manage it for you for reserving business names. As part of the service, we also determine whether the name you want is available.
$60 – Reservation of Connecticut Foreign Limited Liability Company Name
If a Foreign LLC’s name isn’t available in Connecticut, they can file an Application for Registration of Name and pay the $60 filing fee to get a new one. This application can be sent in the mail or filed online.
$120 – (DBA) “Doing Business As” Name
An LLC owner may opt to run their business under a name other than its genuine legal name. It’s common, for example, to remove the “LLC” from a company’s name to make it sound less formal. If your firm expands, you might select an entirely new name.
If you want to do business under a name other than your company’s legal name, you must file a “doing business as” or “DBA” name application. In Connecticut, DBAs are referred to as trade names.
To use a DBA, you must submit a Trade Name Certificate to the town clerk in each municipality where your LLC does business. Contact information is available in the Connecticut town clerks directory.
$40 – Document Copies on Plain Print
The Secretary of State may provide you with plain copies of your Connecticut company records for $40.
$55 – Certified Document Copies
The Secretary of State may provide certified copies of your Connecticut company documents for $55.
$50 – Legal Existence Certificate
To get this document, also known as a Connecticut certificate of good standing, contact the Secretary of State and pay the $50 fee. A certificate of legal existence is usually required by banks and lending institutions.
Your Own LLC in Connecticut: Step-by-Step Instructions
To incorporate an LLC in Connecticut, you must pay $120 to the Connecticut Secretary of State for a Certificate of Organization. Your application can be submitted online, via mail, or in person. In Connecticut, the Certificate of Organization is the legal document that forms your limited liability company. In Connecticut, there are five basic steps to forming an LLC:
Step 1: Choose a Name for Your Connecticut LLC [Price: $60]
Even if you still need to fill out some paperwork before forming your LLC, you’ve already come up with a terrific name. In cases like this, a name reservation may be advantageous. While reserving a name is not needed, it may put you at rest as you finish the details of your LLC formation. A Connecticut name reservation is $60 and holds your name for 120 days
It would be regrettable to choose a name just to have your formation documents rejected because the name was already taken. Avoid this by using the business records search engine on the state website to check the availability of the business name. Once you decide on a name, it must legally contain the words “limited liability corporation” or use a recognized acronym like “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “Limited Liability Co.” or “Ltd. Liability Co.”
To be clear, name reservations aren’t always necessary and aren’t required by most states. If you’re concerned that someone else will register the name you want, you might just form your LLC rather than reserve it.
Whether you reserve your business name or not, you should always conduct a Connecticut business name search to ensure that the name you chose is accessible.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent [Price: about $100/yr.]
Before you legally petition to incorporate an LLC in Connecticut, you must select a registered agent. The registered agent of a firm is required by law to receive court summons and other legal notices.
According to state law, every LLC must have a registered agent. The registered agent is designated when you file your Connecticut articles of incorporation to the Commercial Recording Division of the Connecticut Secretary of State.
Choosing a registered agent in Connecticut is an important step in forming an LLC. Your registered agent is responsible for ensuring your company’s compliance with Connecticut business law and managing sensitive legal and tax documents. In essence, you need a reliable agent.
Although you can act as your own registered agent, doing so imposes additional responsibilities on you in terms of paperwork and legal difficulties. It is often advisable to assign the responsibility to a qualified individual. You may prevent fines for late filings as well as the headache of doing it yourself by employing a registered agent service to ensure that your yearly reports and other documents are properly completed.
Being My Own Registered Agent
Of course, you have the option of forming your own LLC. But keep in mind that your time isn’t entirely free. You cannot invest the time you spend on paperwork in building your business.
A do-it-yourself technique, on the other hand, has various advantages:
- The initial costs are lower. If you don’t consider the value of your time, a do-it-yourself solution is the least priced option.
- Personal encounter that was positive. When beginning their own firm, a do-it-yourself entrepreneur will learn a lot about the process and will likely remember it for years to come.
Meanwhile, disadvantages:
- That’s a headache. Government staff are knowledgeable and really helpful. They would concede, however, that the laws and regulations governing how firms are founded are tough to follow because they do it for a living. It will be considerably tougher for you.
- There is the chance of mistake. With all of the paperwork, self-employed business owners might easily make a mistake that can cost them extra time and money.
- When you consider how much time DIY takes, you lose money. If you predict that your business creation would take 20 hours and your time is worth $30 per hour, you will have effectively spent $600 on the process.
Step 3: File an Organization Certificate [Price: $120]
A Certificate of Organization is proof that your company is a legally recognized LLC in the state. Many people are afraid to complete official government documentation like this, which is why we’re here. As part of our business formation strategy, we manage the Connecticut LLC filing to guarantee that it is finished quickly the first time. Even though we can do this for you, we’ll walk you through the steps below.
This is the most important (and expensive) form you will submit to create your Connecticut LLC. Before the state will legally recognize your LLC, you must submit a Certificate of Organization to it. Whether you submit it electronically, by mail, or in person, the Certificate of Organization will cost you $120. It’s fantastic that this is a one-time fee. Unless your initial application is denied, you will not be forced to pay it again while your business is open.
FILE A CONNECTICUT CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION
OPTION 1: File Online With the Connecticut Secretary of State
– OR –
OPTION 2: File the Certificate of Organization by Mail or in Person
State Filing Cost: $120, payable to the Secretary of State
Mailing Address:
Business Service Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115
Office Address:
Business Service Division
Connecticut Secretary of the State
165 Capitol Ave., Suite 1000
Hartford, CT 06106
The names and addresses of at least one member and manager of your LLC, your LLC’s legal name, its principal office address (and mailing address, if different), your registered agent’s name, address, and signature, your LLC’s email address, your LLC’s six-digit NAICS code, the date, your name, and your signature are all required for filing your Certificate of Organization.
Keep your operating agreement, member certificates, contracts, compliance checklists, transfer ledger, and other vital paperwork in a secure area as soon as you receive tangible documentation from the state acknowledging your new LLC. To assist you in maintaining the professionalism and organization of these significant papers, we provide a tailored business kit.
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement [Price: FREE]
An operating agreement is a document that LLC members use to spell out the rules for how their business will be run. These agreements detail the members’ rights and duties, as well as the procedures for entering and quitting the business.
Connecticut does not require LLCs to establish an operating agreement. However, we strongly recommended that every LLC have one. We allow you to design your own operating agreement, but we don’t recommend it unless you have legal knowledge or prior expertise.
Hiring a lawyer to create your LLC operating agreement is one option. Despite the fact that this alternative is more expensive, your operating agreement will be drafted by a professional. However, if you’re searching for something more economical, an LLC formation service may charge as little as $39 to produce an operating agreement.
Consider when the LLC was established legally, who its members are, and how ownership is allocated. Multi-member LLCs may have an equal ownership structure or divide ownership into various “units” for different members.
The Operating Agreement, which will be the governing instrument for the LLC, should be drafted (perhaps using a template). This agreement outlines the formalities of how the LLC will run, such as holding an annual meeting. At your organizational meeting, the agreement will be examined and approved.
The state does not require you to have an Operating Agreement in place for your Connecticut LLC.
An operational agreement is a legal document that explains how a company operates, how managers and members are chosen, the rights and duties of members, and other crucial details.
This paper will assist you in being organized and prepared for any forthcoming events that may have an influence on your firm.
Step 5: Obtain an Employer Identification Number [Price: FREE]
What is an Employer Identification Number?
Unless you are a sole proprietorship with no workers, your company will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (and sometimes even then). If you want to open a business bank account or apply for a corporate credit card, you’ll also need an EIN.
You may get your LLC’s EIN on the IRS website, by mail, or by fax. We can get it for you if you don’t want to deal with that particular government organization. Our EIN service is simple and easy to use.
GET AN EIN
Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS
– OR –
Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax
Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: (855) 641-6935
Fee: Free
If you wish to expand your Connecticut LLC into another state, you will need a Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority from that state. You must do this if you want to operate business, hire people, or conduct banking in that state.
In general, you must file an application and pay a filing fee, but the requirements differ by state. Before making any preparations, compare state filing deadlines and expenses. Next, contact the state agency in charge of business administration (usually the Secretary of State) to validate their requirements and acquire additional instructions.
After forming an LLC, There are a Few Things You Should Do
If your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (such as your home, car, and other belongings) may be at risk if your Connecticut LLC is sued. In commercial law, this is known as breaching the corporate veil.
In Connecticut, you may start protecting your LLC by completing these steps:
1. Open a Business Checking Account:
- Once you’ve obtained an EIN, you’ll be able to open a business bank account. Separate accounts for company and personal banking are vital for organizing your finances throughout tax season and preventing money from becoming mixed up. Combining money can make paying taxes more difficult, and it might be used against you if someone sues you to establish that you and your LLC are not separate legal companies (i.e., they want to sue you for not just your business assets, but also your personal assets).
2. Getting a Company Credit Card:
- This will help you categorize and separate all of your business expenses for tax purposes at the end of the year.
- Aids in the growth of your business credit score, which is a required step in the future in order to receive a line of credit or a company loan.
- Allows you to keep track of department spending by distributing various cards to your employees (each with a different budget).
3. Hiring a Business Accountant:
- Hiring a business accountant helps you avoid overpaying taxes and prevent penalties, fines, and other costly tax blunders.
- By simplifying bookkeeping and payroll, you can devote more time to growing your business.
- Improves your company’s financial management by discovering areas of unexpected loss or profit.
In Connecticut, Employee Recruitment is Crucial
Take the following steps to stay in compliance with the law if you want to hire employees for your Connecticut LLC:
- Check to see whether new hires are eligible to work in the US.
- Employees should be recorded as “new hires” to the state.
- Workers’ compensation insurance should be available to employees.
- Withholding taxes from employees is a good idea.
- Print workplace compliance posters and display them prominently across your company.
What is the minimum wage in Connecticut? The minimum wage in Connecticut is $13.00 per hour.
How often do I have to pay my employees in Connecticut? Wages must be paid monthly unless the labor commissioner permits otherwise, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor Wage Payment Laws.
FAQ: Forming LLC in Connecticut – Various Costs
How can I determine whether the name of my LLC is available?
Your LLC’s name must be unique from that of other current businesses registered on the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website. You may use the Connecticut SOS website to run a free name search to ensure that the name you’ve submitted is available.
When is Connecticut’s annual report due?
In Connecticut, your annual report is due between January 1 and March 31 of each year, beginning with the year your firm is formed. If your LLC was formed on March 1, the annual report is due on March 31 of the following year.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Secretary of State charges $120 to file the articles of formation.
If you want to reserve your LLC name before submitting the Articles of Organization, you must submit a name reservation application for a fee of $60.
Even though filing on your own is less expensive, it might be difficult to fill out all of the essential papers. Hiring a lawyer is another option, but this will often cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
How Are the State Fees I Paid When I Founded My LLC Used?
We charge you this sum at cost when we form your Connecticut business and then pay the money to the Secretary of State on your behalf.
How can I make changes to the documentation for my Connecticut LLC?
If you make a mistake, you can file a Statement of Correction with the Secretary of State. The surgery costs $100.
How many small businesses are there in Connecticut today?
Connecticut today contains about 347,000 small companies, with the exception of 0.7 percent of the state’s firms. A small business employee accounts for around half of Connecticut’s employment.
What are the greatest Connecticut-based websites and tools for small businesses?
Connecticut today contains about 347,000 small companies, with the exception of 0.7 percent of the state’s firms. A small business employee accounts for around half of Connecticut’s employment.
What are the greatest Connecticut-based websites and tools for small businesses?
The Connecticut Small Business Development Center provides a wealth of tools and information for Connecticut LLCs, making it an excellent place to begin. The Connecticut District Office of the United States Small Company Administration is another important site, as is the state’s small business resource page.
When I’m finished, how can I dissolve my LLC?
If you decide to close your firm and cease all operations, you should properly dissolve your LLC to minimize your exposure to litigation and governmental charges.
What are the best government-sponsored resources for businesspeople?
The Connecticut Small Business Development Center is one of the best official tools for small companies in Connecticut. The SBDC is a fantastic resource for company owners throughout the state, offering everything from free business advice to on-demand webinars and online training courses.
Professional Help in Forming a Company in the State of Connecticut
The process of forming a Connecticut LLC is time-consuming and difficult. We’ve chosen two of the finest services for forming LLCs.
#1 – Hire ZenBusiness to set up a Connecticut LLC
For a reasonable price, ZenBusiness will help you form an LLC. Two is a good number for most LLCs. A year of registered agent service is included in all ZenBusiness plans. Both the Pro and Premium Bundles guarantee your adherence to the law. ZenBusiness will file your yearly report and notify you if further information is required by the state, if applicable. At $119 a year, this is the most basic level of compliance.
Connecticut LLCs may be formed via ZenBusiness for $120. Customers have left over 4500 verified reviews, with 98 percent saying they are satisfied.
$0 + State Fees
Rating: 4.8/5
Review count: 4830+
Form an LLC today with ZenBusiness for only $0 + State fees. They Have 98% customer satisfaction rating and over 4830+ verified reviews.
#2 – Northwest Registered Agent can help you form a Connecticut LLC
It has been decades since Northwest Registered Agent has been a registered agent for LLCs. They have a great deal of experience and information to offer. Their primary advantage is their ability to maintain privacy. They don’t sell, outsource, or create their own code.
Northwest may be able to form a Connecticut limited liability company right away. More than 4150 verified customer reviews and 98% customer satisfaction. Registered agent service is supplied at no additional cost to the user.
$39+State Fees
Rating: 4.9/5
Review count: 4850+
Form an LLC today with Nortwest. They have 98% customer satisfaction rating and over 4150+ verified reviews. They will include 1 year of free registered agent service!
The Bottomline
In Connecticut, you may register an LLC for as little as $120. If you opt to hire a Connecticut registered agent service, add $50 to $250 to your budget. If a trade name is necessary, a $10 filing fee is also required. The same is true for name reservations ($60) and certified document copies ($55 each).
Consider the administrative costs of opening a firm bank account, drafting an LLC operating agreement, seeking legal or accounting guidance, and employing other business services.
In addition, starting a Connecticut LLC isn’t as expensive as it seems.
The total cost shouldn’t exceed:
- $49 if you’re forming a basic LLC with all the basic options with ZenBusiness.
- $39/mo if you’re forming a top-notch LLC with Northwest.
- ~$120+ if you’re forming an LLC yourself.
In addition to these fees, you may pay extra costs for creating and administering an LLC in Connecticut. A general business license, for example, may be necessary, but you may also need a license or permit specific to your industry. These expenses might quickly add up. Ideally, you should be aware of all the costs and expenses associated with forming and running an LLC in Connecticut. Remember to pay the necessary fees as well as the registered agent’s services.