Frequently Asked Questions

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) offers personal liability protection with flexible management and pass-through taxation. A Corporation is a more formal structure with shareholders, directors, and officers, and can issue stock. LLCs are generally easier to maintain, while Corporations may be better for businesses seeking outside investment or planning to go public.

Formation time varies by state. Most states process filings within 3-7 business days. Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee, which can reduce the time to 1-2 business days or even same-day. We submit your documents within 2 business hours of receiving complete information.

Most small businesses should form in the state where they primarily operate. While Delaware and Wyoming offer business-friendly laws, forming in another state means you'll need to foreign qualify in your home state anyway, adding cost and complexity. We recommend forming in your home state unless you have specific reasons to do otherwise.

Formation creates your legal entity, but you may need additional licenses and permits to operate. Requirements vary by location and industry. Common examples include general business licenses, professional licenses, sales tax permits, and industry-specific permits. Check with your local city and county for specific requirements.

Yes! Non-US citizens and non-residents can form LLCs and Corporations in any US state. You don't need to be a citizen, have a green card, or even live in the United States. However, you will need a US address for your registered agent and may have additional tax reporting requirements.

A PLLC or PC is a special entity type for licensed professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, and architects. These entities are required in many states for professionals who need to maintain state licensure. The formation process typically requires approval from the relevant licensing board.

Our Complete package includes: state filing preparation and submission, name availability check, Federal EIN (Tax ID) application, customized Operating Agreement or Bylaws, digital document vault, lifetime compliance calendar, and always-available email support. State filing fees are additional and vary by state.

State filing fees are charges set by each state's government to process your business formation documents. These fees are not set by us and vary significantly by state (typically $50-$500). We collect these fees and remit them to the state on your behalf. View our complete state fee table for specific amounts.

Yes, we offer refunds before we begin processing your order. Once we've submitted documents to the state, refunds are not available as state filing fees are non-refundable. If your filing is rejected by the state, we'll work with you to correct and resubmit at no additional charge.

Premium Plus ($349) includes everything in Complete, plus: Priority 2-hour filing, State Tax ID, Registered Agent service (1 year), Certified Copies, Certificate of Good Standing, and a Corporate Kit. It's our best value for entrepreneurs who want everything handled from day one.

No. We believe in transparent pricing. The price you see is the price you pay, plus state filing fees which we clearly disclose upfront. We never surprise you with additional charges after you've started the process.

A registered agent is a person or company designated to receive official legal documents and government correspondence on behalf of your business. Every state requires businesses to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. The agent must be available during normal business hours.

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent if you have a physical address (not a P.O. Box) in your state of formation and are available during business hours to receive documents. However, this means your personal address becomes public record, and you must be present to accept legal documents.

Using a professional registered agent keeps your home address private, ensures you never miss important legal documents, provides a professional business image, and gives you flexibility to travel or relocate without updating state records. Our service is $99/year and includes instant email alerts and online document access.

Missing legal documents can have serious consequences. If you're served with a lawsuit and don't respond, you could face a default judgment against your business. Missing state notices could result in penalties or even administrative dissolution of your company. A professional registered agent ensures you never miss important documents.

An annual report (called a biennial report in some states) is a filing required by most states to keep your business in good standing. It updates the state on your company's basic information like address and officers. Deadlines and fees vary by state. Missing this filing can result in penalties or dissolution.

LLC publishing is required in New York, Arizona, and Nebraska. In New York, you must publish a notice of your LLC formation in two newspapers for six consecutive weeks within 120 days of filing. We offer an Albany County bundle for $400 that significantly reduces publishing costs compared to NYC counties.

To keep your business in good standing: file annual/biennial reports on time, maintain a registered agent, keep your business address current with the state, pay any required state taxes or fees, and keep proper records. Our compliance calendar helps you track all deadlines automatically.

A Certificate of Good Standing (also called a Certificate of Existence) is an official document from the state confirming your business is properly registered and compliant with all state requirements. Banks, lenders, and partners often request this document. We can obtain one for you for $50.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is like a Social Security number for your business. It's required if you have employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, or file certain tax returns. Most businesses need an EIN to open a business bank account. It's included free with our Complete and Premium Plus packages.

If you have a Social Security Number, we can obtain your EIN within 1-2 business days. For applicants without an SSN (such as foreign nationals), the IRS requires a faxed application, which takes 4-6 weeks to process.

S-Corp election (Form 2553) allows your LLC or Corporation to be taxed as an S-Corporation. This can provide tax savings by allowing you to pay yourself a reasonable salary and take additional profits as distributions, potentially reducing self-employment taxes. We recommend consulting with a CPA to determine if S-Corp election is right for you.

You may need a State Tax ID if you have employees (for state payroll taxes), sell taxable goods or services (for sales tax), or have other state tax obligations. Requirements vary by state and business type. We can help you obtain the appropriate state tax registrations.

Keystone Filings is a professional business formation and compliance service. We help entrepreneurs and small business owners form LLCs, Corporations, and other business entities in all 50 states. Our mission is to make business formation simple, affordable, and transparent.

You can reach us by phone at (833) 673-6552 (833-OPEN-LLC), email at support@keystonefilings.com, or through our contact form. Our business hours are Monday-Friday, 9AM-6PM EST. We typically respond to emails within 2-4 business hours.

Yes! We have a Partner Program designed for CPAs, attorneys, payroll companies, and other professionals who serve business clients. Partners receive wholesale pricing (30-40% off), white-label services, dedicated account management, and referral commissions. Visit our Partners page to learn more.

We provide business formation and compliance services in all 50 US states plus Washington D.C. Whether you're forming in Delaware, California, Texas, New York, or any other state, we can help you get your business started.