How to Start an LLC in Arizona

Learn how to form an LLC in Arizona

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Starting an LLC in Arizona Is Easy

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Starting an Arizona limited liability company is the best way to protect your personal assets and add credibility to your small business.

To create an Arizona LLC, you will need to submit the Articles of Organization — a legal document that officially establishes your business — to the Arizona Corporation Commission. You can apply online or by mail, and the filing fee is $50.

Follow our How to Start an LLC in Arizona guide below to get started.

For more information on how to form a limited liability company in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.

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Step 1: Create A Name For Your Arizona LLC

Before you register your company, you’ll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.

Naming Your LLC

First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.

Next, make sure your business name meets the following guidelines:

  • it contains the words limited liability company, limited company, or LLC or L.L.C.
  • it doesn’t contain the words bank, credit union, deposit, savings association, building association, thrift, or trust without approval
  • it cannot include words that could confuse your company with a government agency
  • it’s distinguishable from any other entity or trade name registered in Arizona
  • full list of Arizona naming guidelines

Next, do an Arizona LLC name search with the Corporation Commission to find out if your name is available.

If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your Arizona Articles of Organization with the Corporations Commission.

Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.

We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.

Domain Name Search

Using an Arizona Trade Name (DBA)

An Arizona DBA (doing business as), also known as a trade name, is any registered name that a company operates under that isn’t its legal business name. A trade name can be used by any type of venture, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company.

Learn how to get a DBA in our Arizona DBA guide.

Step 2: Appoint An Arizona Statutory Agent

When you file your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to list a registered agent, known as a statutory agent in Arizona. A registered agent’s job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your company. 

Your statutory agent can be an individual or business entity, or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many entrepreneurs choose to use professional services.

Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own statutory agent:

  • You’ll need to be available during normal (9 am – 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide
  • If you run your company from home, you’ll have to make your personal address public
  • You could be served with a lawsuit in front of your family or coworkers

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Northwest offers a free year of registered agent services when you form your Arizona LLC ($29 plus state fees) with them.

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Step 3: File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization

It’s time to officially form your company by filing your Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission. The filing fee is $50. 

You can file online at the Corporation Commission website or fill out a hard copy of the following forms: 

  1. Articles of Organization
  2. Statutory Agent Acceptance
  3. Manager Structure Form or Member Structure Form
  4. Cover Sheet

Recommended: Now is a good time to decide if your venture will be member-managed vs manager-managed.

You’ll need to know the following information to complete each “Article”:

  1. Entity Name
  2. Statutory Agent Name and Principal Address
  3. Governing Authority Type (LLC Management Structure)

For more detailed help with completing the form, visit our Arizona Articles of Organization guide.

Mail Your Articles of Organization:

If mailing your LLC application, send the forms linked above to the following address:

Arizona Corporation Commission
Corporate Filings Section
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

How long does it take to get an Arizona LLC approved? The LLC processing time can be up to 30 business days. Expedited processing is available.

Step 4: Complete Arizona LLC Publication Requirements

You are required to publish your LLC name, address, and Statutory Agent info in an approved newspaper in the county of the company’s principal address. The publication filing fees are $30-$300, depending on the county your business is located in.

Note: Companies whose principal address is in either Maricopa or Pima counties do not have to publish a Notice of LLC Formation.

You’ll also need to state whether your LLC in Arizona is member-managed or manager-managed, as well as the names and addresses of your manager(s) or members.

Recommended: Search for a full list of approved newspapers, organized by county.

Read our full guide for Arizona LLC publication requirements to learn more.

Step 5: Draft An Arizona LLC Operating Agreement

Creating an Arizona LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises. 

Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.

Your operating agreement should outline the following:

  • Each member’s responsibilities
  • How new members will be admitted
  • How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
  • How profits and dividends will be distributed

You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don’t conflict with Arizona law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.

Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.

Step 6: Get an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The  Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state will use this number to track your business activity.

Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:

  • Open a business bank account
  • File Federal and State taxes
  • Hire employees

The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Arizona is by using the free online application on the IRS website.

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Step 7: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

When forming an Arizona LLC, one of the important steps is to complete the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

This report — also known as the FinCEN BOI report — is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities by requiring LLCs to disclose information about their beneficial owners.

This is free to file through the FinCEN website

New LLCs must complete this filing within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs must file before January 1, 2025. 

Failure to complete this filing requirement will result in a $500 per day fine.

Steps After Forming an LLC in Arizona

After forming your Arizona LLC, it’s important to take the following steps:

Open A Business Bank Account

A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your Arizona LLC’s corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your venture.

Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you’ll also want to set up capital accounts for members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.

Get A Business Credit Card

A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company’s credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.

Set Up Business Accounting

Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your company thousands of dollars per year.

When forming an LLC in Arizona, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your venture to help set your company up for success.

Get Business Insurance

Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms are general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation.

Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.

Keep Your Company Compliant

Research Arizona Business Licenses and Permits

To operate an LLC in Arizona, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits. 

Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in Arizona guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.

Understand Arizona State Tax Requirements

Arizona imposes a tax on vendors in the state known as the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), which is paid to the Arizona Department of Revenue. The Transaction Privilege Tax works similarly to sales tax in other states and varies in rate by county and city. Visit our Arizona sales tax guide to learn more.

Additionally, any businesses with employees in the state must pay employee withholding tax and unemployment insurance tax to the Arizona Department of Revenue using the state’s AZTaxes portal.

Understand Your LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements

Most Arizona LLCs will need to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year using Form 1065: Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 – Schedule C (single-member LLCs).

How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

Know Your Arizona LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options

Pass-through taxation entails a company’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity. 

Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the Arizona LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income. 

Alternatively, Arizona LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, members can be taxed as employees of the venture, potentially reducing tax burden.

More Resources

  • Arizona Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. Download the Arizona foreign LLC form to get started.
  • Arizona Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our Arizona certificate of good standing guide.
  • Dissolving an Arizona LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Arizona LLC Dissolution Guide.
  • Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.

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