How to Form an LLC in Idaho

This guide to starting an LLC in Idaho provides step-by-step instructions on filing formation documents, obtaining tax IDs, and setting up company records.

Overview

LLCs are the most popular business structure because they are inexpensive to form, provide flexibility to the owners, and are easy to run. Forming your LLC legally establishes your business, limits your personal liability, and gains tax flexibility. The following step-by-step will help you as you undertake this process.

Fast Facts: Your Budget and Timeline

Here is an overview of the total paperwork, cost, and time it takes to form an LLC in Idaho. Be sure to read the final step in this guide - "Ongoing Filings" - to understand your ongoing costs to maintain a compliant Idaho LLC.

Step-by-Step Idaho LLC Instructions

1. Check Name Availability

   The legal name of your LLC may not conflict with any other registered name. Check availability of your desired name by conducting a name search.

   Name Search:	Idaho Secretary of State Name search
   Name Reservation:	Optional
   Suffix:	The name of a limited liability company must contain the phrase "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C.," or "LC." "Limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd.," and "company" may be abbreviated as "Co." If the limited liability company is a professional entity, the name may include the word "professional" before the word "limited" or the letter "P" at the beginning of any of the permitted abbreviations. Idaho Statutes § 30-21-302

2. Appoint a Registered Agent

   Before you officially file to create your Idaho LLC, you will need to decide who your Idaho registered agent will be. A registered agent is a business's legal appointee to receive notice of lawsuit and other legal or government notices.

   State law requires every LLC to have a registered agent. The registered agent is designated when you file Idaho articles of organization with the Idaho Secretary of State.

   Our reliable registered agent service fulfills this requirement. You get:

   • Same-day documents from our local office in Post Falls
   • Immediate online access to state forms with our address and, where required, our signature
   • Annual fees from $89 to $99 per state with no additional charges

   
   

3. File Idaho Certificate of Formation

   File the articles of organization to create your limited liability company.

   Agency:	Idaho Secretary of State
   Form:	Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Company
   Filing Method:	Mail and Online.
   Agency Fee:	$100 + optional $20 expedite fee
   Turnaround:	~1 week. ~1 business day with $20 expedite fee.
   Law:	Idaho Statues - Title 30: Corporations - Chapter 6: Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act
   Notes:	Submit two copies.

4. Establish Company Records

   Your LLC must keep correct and complete books and records. Your filed articles of organization are the first documents for your LLC’s records. Your LLC will generate many other official records such as:

   • Meeting minutes
   • Operating agreement
   • EIN verification letter
   • Amendments and other filings made to the LLC throughout its lifetime

   Organizations need a secure, centralized tool for managing and accessing sensitive records. Our Records Manager software offers a simple, efficient way for LLCs to store records, track members and managers, and customize meeting notifications.

5. Create the Operating Agreement

   Draft an Operating Agreement (potentially using a template) which is the governing document for the LLC. It defines the formalities of how the LLC will run itself such as holding an annual meeting. You will review and adopt the agreement at your organizational meeting.

6. Hold the Organizational Meeting

   The first meeting of the members of the LLC is the organizational meeting. You will need your filed articles of organization and your operating agreement in order to conduct this meeting. Keep minutes of this meeting and store them in your company record book.

7. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   If your LLC has more than one member or will hire employees, it must obtain an EIN. An EIN is also often required to open a bank account.

   Agency:	Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
   Form:	IRS Form SS-4
   Filing Method:	Mail, phone, fax, or online.
   IRS fee:	$0
   Turnaround:	Immediately online or by phone. 4 business days by fax. 4-5 weeks by mail.
   Notes:	The IRS website is only available during certain hours. Print your EIN before closing your session. For additional guidance, see IRS Pub 1635: Understanding Your EIN.

8. Get Idaho State Tax Identification Numbers/Accounts

   If your LLC makes retail sales, you need an Idaho seller's permit. If you have employees, you need an Idaho withholding account. Register for Idaho tax accounts by filing online. This will register your LLC with the Idaho Department of Labor, the Idaho State Tax Commission, and the Idaho Industrial Commission.

   Submit to:

   Idaho State Tax Commission
   http://tax.idaho.gov/

   Filing Method:

   Online at Idaho Business Registration System and Permit/Account Application

   Fee:

   $0

9. Consider Electing S-Corp or C-Corp Taxation

   By default, your LLC receives pass-through taxation and the vast majority of LLCs keep this tax classification. Some LLCs benefit from electing S-Corp or C-Corp tax treatment:

   • S-Corp treatment can help owner-employees who earn more than ~$75,000 per year save on self-employment taxes. File Form 2553: S-Corp Election.
   • C-Corps suffer from double taxation: the corporation pays taxes on profits then members pay taxes on their distributions. If profits exceed $250,000 per owner, you provide employee benefits, or you will re-invest most of your profit in the business, you may benefit from the low tax rates on retained earnings under C-Corp treatment. File Form 8832: C-Corp Election.

10. Obtain Business Licenses & Permits

    To run your business legally, you must obtain applicable licenses and permits. The easiest way to navigate the wide range of federal, state, and local requirements is to search by your business type and locality using the Small Business Administration Business License & Permit look-up tool.

    
    

    Idaho Business License

    Not required

    
    
    

    General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Idaho.

    Idaho does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

11. Ongoing Filings to Maintain Your LLC

    You must file federal and state tax returns.

    Many states also require business entities to file an annual report to maintain good standing with the secretary of state. If an annual report is required for LLCs formed in Idaho, view the table below.

    
    

    Idaho Corporation Annual Report Requirements:

    Agency:	Idaho Secretary of State
    Form:	You can request a mail-in report from the Secretary of State's office.
    Filing Method:	Mail or online.
    Agency Fee:	$0
    Due:	Annually by the last day of registration anniversary month. So if you incorporated or foreign-qualified on March 15, then your annual report is due by March 31.
    Law:	Idaho Statutes § 30-21-213.
    Penalties:	No late fee. After 60 days the secretary will dissolve or revoke your business.
    Notes:	Anyone with authority may file.

    
    

    For more details, see our Idaho annual report information center page.

    As your LLC grows, you will need to demonstrate your company’s good standing to banks, customers, and other state agencies. After all the work involved in forming your Idaho LLC, don’t let a missed annual report filing cause your new business to fall out of compliance.

    Tracking and filing annual reports on your own can be time consuming and lead to accidental lapses. Protect your LLC’s good standing with Managed Annual Report Service, which tracks and automatically files reports on time, every time, so you can focus on your business.