How Much Does an LLC Cost in Indiana
The $95 LLC filing fee in Indiana is affordable. But here's the caveat–there's still a long list of expenses you need to budget for.
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Here are the following fees to consider:
- Domestic LLC Filing Fee: $95 or $100
- Foreign LLC Filing Fee: $105 or $125
- Biennial Business Report Fee: $31 or $50
- Business Licenses and Permits $0 to $500+
- Optional Fees: $0 to $3,000+
It's not surprising if you're thinking of creating an LLC in Indiana. With over 95% of Indiana companies being small businesses, an LLC is the most common business structure in the Hoosier State.
But before you go all in, are you aware of the costs to start an LLC there? What are some of the unexpected charges you should prepare for? All the answers are right here.
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All LLCs in Indiana must pay the filing fee for the Articles of Organization. This costs $95 if filed online or $100 if sent through mail.
Indiana Domestic LLC Filing Fee
Cost: $95 (online filing) | $100 (via mail)
If you want to start an LLC in Indiana, you must submit an Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State. The corresponding cost above is the filing fee.[1]
An LLC's Articles of Organization contain the following information, among other details:
- Business name with "LLC" at the end
- Registered agent's full name and Indiana address
- Owner/s' and member/s' names and addresses
- Official signature of the owners and members
Articles of Organization filed online are typically reviewed within the same day. The approval or rejection notice will be sent to your email.
Indiana Foreign LLC Filing Fee
Cost: $105 (online filing) | $125 (via mail)
Do you already have an LLC set up in another state? You can expand your business in Indiana too. Just file the Foreign LLC Registration Statement.
Even if you don't have an LLC elsewhere but don't live in Indiana, you can still do business there. File Form 56369 and appoint a registered agent who lives in Indiana. The registered agent will receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
All LLCs in Indiana will be subject to Indiana tax and licensing requirements. Your LLC may also be subject to your home state's taxing regulations. Consult with a tax professional to avoid double taxation.
Indiana LLC Biennial Business Report Fee
Cost: $31 (online filing) | $50 (via mail)
Once your LLC in Indiana is formed, you'll need to submit a business entity report. In other states, this report is called an Annual Business Report. In Indiana, it's called a Biennial Business Report because you're only required to submit it, along with the filing fee, every other year.
For example, if your LLC was formed in November 2023, you must submit the Biennial Report to the Secretary of State in November 2025, November 2027, November 2029, and so forth.
A Biennial Business Report contains updated information about your LLC. It shows any changes to the LLC's address, registered agent, and other details. Once submitted, your LLC is considered in good standing–thus allowing you to continue operating.
Indiana does not have a penalty for late submission of the Biennial Business Report. However, the state could close your LLC if you don't submit this report within 60 days after the deadline.
Indiana Business Licenses and Permits
Cost: $0 - $500+
Indiana doesn't require a general license to do business in the state. However, an LLC will need a $25 Registered Retail Merchant Certificate if it sells tangible goods. This license is automatically renewed for free as long as you don't owe the state outstanding sales tax.[2]
Additional permits may also be required depending on what your LLC does. The application fee for an architecture LLC firm without NCARB or CLARB license costs $520.[3]
Meanwhile, a real estate broker LLC must pay $60.[4] Check the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to see the necessary professional licenses for your LLC.
Yes, Indiana LLCs that only sell products online still need a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate. Learn more about Remote Seller rules in Indiana.
Optional Fees for LLCs in Indiana
Your Indiana LLC might never need to pay for the add-ons below. However, it's a good idea to set aside a budget just in case.
Here's a summary of the add-ons and their pricing:[5][6]
| Indiana LLC Optional Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Indiana LLC Registered Agent Services Fee | up to $299 |
| Indiana LLC Operating Agreement Fee | up to $1,000 |
| Indiana LLC Employer Identification Number (EIN) | FREE |
| Indiana LLC Name Reservation Fee | $10 |
| Indiana LLC Certificate of Assumed Business Name Fee | $20 or $30 |
| Indiana LLC Certificate of Existence Fee | $26 or $30 |
| Indiana LLC Certified Business Document Copy Fee | $15+ |
| Indiana LLC Articles of Correction Fee | $20 or $30 |
| Indiana LLC Articles of Amendment Fee | $20 or $30 |
| Indiana LLC Statement of Change of Registered Agent Fee | $1 or $0 |
| Indiana Business Website Domain Fee | $10 - $20 |
| Indiana Business Insurance Premium | varies |
Indiana LLC Registered Agent Services Fee
Cost: up to $299
Indiana requires all LLCs to have a registered agent. The registered agent is responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
You don't have to pay for a registered agent. You or a trusted person can be a registered agent as long as they meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a physical address in Indiana.
- Can receive documents during business hours.
Hiring a registered agent is a good idea if you don't have a physical address in Indiana or you want to keep your address off public records. Keep in mind that a paid registered agent means additional annual costs for your LLC.
Yes, the person must consent to be a registered agent first. When completing your Articles of Organization, you'll have to tick a checkbox that states your Indiana LLC's registered agent has agreed to their appointment.
Indiana LLC Operating Agreement Fee
Cost: up to $1,000
LLCs in Indiana are not required to have an operating agreement. However, it's recommended to have one because it defines important rules and regulations that all members and managers must follow.
An LLC operating agreement contains:
- The roles and responsibilities of each member
- How new or departing members will be treated
- How business profits and losses will be divided
Startup businesses can use free operating agreement templates online. Some registered agent services offer this as a part of their annual packages.
Indiana Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Cost: FREE
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business entity. If you're a sole proprietor without employees, you can use your Social Security number (SSN) instead.
However, you might need an EIN in the future for the following:
- Hiring employees.
- Opening a business bank account.
- Applying for business licenses.
- Providing an additional layer of privacy.
Technically speaking, LLCs don't pay Indiana taxes. LLCs in the state are a "pass-through" tax entity. This means the LLC's profits and losses are passed through directly to the owner(s). A single-member LLC is taxed like a sole partnership, while a multi-member LLC is taxed like a partnership.
Indiana LLC Name Reservation Fee
Cost: $10
Your LLC in Indiana needs to have a name that is distinct from other businesses. Use Indiana's business search engine to check if the name you want for your LLC is not used by anyone else.
Naming your LLC is free. It's approved when the Secretary of State approves your Articles of Organization.
However, paying $10 for an LLC name reservation is a good idea if you want to hold a name for up to 120 days. This prevents another business from taking the same name while you're processing your LLC. You can pay an additional $10 if you need to extend the time (+120 days more).
Indiana LLC Assumed Business Name Fee
Cost: $20 (online filing) | $30 (via mail)
A Certificate of Assumed Business Name is also called Doing Business As (DBA). It's used to describe a business operating under a name different from its legal, registered name.
An LLC might choose to operate under a different name because a DBA can be more marketable or catchier than the LLC's legal name. Additionally, a DBA doesn't need to have an "LLC" at the end.
Should you decide to use a name other than your LLC's official name, you must submit a Certificate of Assumed Business Name to the Secretary of State. The cost for filing this online is $20, while the fee for submitting it via mail is $30.[1]
Indiana LLC Certificate of Existence Fee
Cost: $26 (online filing) | $30 (via mail)
A Certificate of Existence, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, is an official document provided by the Indiana Secretary of State. It verifies that your LLC is legally in existence, up to date with all state filings, and has paid all its state fees and taxes.
You might need a Certificate of Existence for the following situations:
- Forming contracts or agreements.
- Registering to do business in another state.
- Renewing permits or licenses.
- Seeking funding or loans.
- Opening a business bank account.
LLCs in Indiana are not required to have a separate bank account. However, using your personal bank account can make your own funds vulnerable to business-related debts. If this happens, such assets will no longer be protected from the LLC's liabilities and losses.
Indiana LLC Certified Document Copy Fee
Cost: $15+
You can request genuine and accurate copies of your LLC's documents from the Indiana State Business Services Division. A Certificate of Fact, which is a copy of an LLC's Articles of Organization, costs $15.
Getting certified copies of other business documents typically costs $1 per page. This includes document copies like a Statement of Amendment or a Statement of Correction.
Indiana LLC Articles of Correction Fee
Cost: $20 (online filing) | $30 (via mail)
You need to file Articles of Correction to correct errors in the previously filed documents of your LLC in Indiana. Some errors include:
- Typos - Misspellings or typographical errors.
- Incorrect information - Wrong address, incorrect name of a member/manager, or an inaccurate description of the business.
- Omissions - If essential information is missing from the original filing.
Indiana LLC Articles of Amendment Fee
Cost: $20 (online filing) | $30 (via mail)
You need to file Articles of Amendment to update significant information in the LLC's Articles of Organization. Your LLC might need to update information such as:
- LLC business name change
- Change in business activities
- Change in membership or ownership
Indiana LLC Change of Registered Agent Fee
Cost: $1 (online filing) | $0 (via mail)
The Statement of Change of Registered Agent is used exclusively for changing your LLC's registered agent or their address. It's a more streamlined process focused solely on updating the information about your registered agent.
If you only need to change your registered agent or their address in Indiana, you will file the Statement of Change of Registered Agent. For other significant changes to your LLC, you would file the Articles of Amendment.
Indiana Business Website Domain Fee
Cost: $10 - $20
You can verify online if the name of your LLC is available for use as a website domain. Even if you're not planning to set up a website immediately, buying the name as soon as possible will stop others from using it.
Domain squatters often monitor newly registered LLC names. They purchase corresponding website domains and then resell them at significantly higher prices.
Indiana Business Insurance Premium
Cost: varies
LLCs in Indiana with 1 or more employees are required to have workers' compensation insurance. LLC members aren't considered employees, but you have the option to include yourselves in the workers' compensation coverage.
Workers' compensation insurance can be acquired from a private provider or through the state's Assigned Risk Pool. The cost depends on how many employees are covered and the degree of risk associated with their job duties.
Bottom Line
Forming an LLC in Indiana is more affordable compared to other states. For instance, the domestic LLC filing fee in Texas is $300. In Indiana, it only costs $95.
Business Formation Service - $39 + State Fees
- Form Your LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit Today
- A Fully-Formed Business
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Form Your LLC at $0 + State Filing Fees
- Articles of organization
- Name check service
- Digital welcome packet
- Customizable website
Starter - $0 + State Filing Fees
- Includes 1 optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/year
- Standard filing speed
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- Other services are available with additional costs
However, you will also need business insurance if you plan to hire employees. Additionally, you might need a registered agent if you're not available during regular business hours to accept documents on behalf of your LLC. Lastly, you may need licenses and permits depending on the nature of your business.
Always take the time to learn more about the unexpected expenses you may incur along the way. This way, you can budget appropriately for this venture.
References
- ^ Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Fee Calculator, Retrieved 01/10/2024
- ^ Indiana State Government. Sales Tax, Retrieved 1/03/2024
- ^ Indiana State Government. Architects & Landscape Architects Licensing Information, Retrieved 1/03/2024
- ^ Indiana State Government. Real Estate Licensing Information, Retrieved 01/26/2024
- ^ Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Fee Calculator, Retrieved 01/26/2024
- ^ Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Business Forms, Retrieved 01/26/2024
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