How to Form an LLC in the State of Alabama?
About Alabama:
Alabama is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. The capital of the state is Montgomery. Alabama shares borders with states such as North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida. The state is one of the top coal-producing states in the United States. The state is also famous for its forests and rivers. The largest city in the state is Birmingham.
What will you learn?
We have prepared a guide that covers how to form an LLC in the state of Alabama, the costs of forming an LLC in Alabama, how to form an LLC at the best price, and the steps to take during the formation process.
What are the steps to form an LLC in Alabama?
To legally form an LLC in Alabama, you must submit a Name Reservation Certificate and Formation Certificate to the Secretary of State of Alabama. Filing these two documents will cost you $228 (or $236 if filed online).
Upon completion of the formation, you will receive your company formation document called the Articles of Organization. Once you have received this document, your Alabama LLC company is officially formed.
Hiring a Registered Agent for LLC Formation may be a good decision.
A Registered Agent company can handle the documents that need to be filed with the state on your behalf during LLC formation, saving you time. You can hire Northwest Registered Agent for $39 + state filing fee to form your LLC.
Costs and Recurring Payments
| Service | Price | During Formation | Annual Recurring Payment |
| Fee’s | $236 | ✔ | – |
| Fee’s | $100 | – | ✔ |
- The total cost will be the state filing fee + the fee for the Northwest Registered Agent service ($39).
- “The Northwest Registered Agent service fee will be renewed for a fee of $125 in subsequent years. The Registered Agent service is free for the first year.”
- Don’t forget to pay the annual report fee for Alabama LLCs ($100) every year
What is a Registered Agent
A Registered Agent is a person or business entity that is responsible for receiving legal documents on behalf of a company. These documents may include lawsuits, subpoenas, and official government notifications. The Registered Agent is required to be available during normal business hours to accept these documents on behalf of the company.
When forming an LLC in the US, Northwest Registered Agent is one of the best options. Northwest also provides a free mail address for your company.
Want to save time? Then hire a company to create your LLC: Northwest (39$ + State Fee)
How to Form an LLC in Alabama?
An LLC can be formed remotely online in the state of Alabama without visiting the state. Also, no ID or passport is required from members in LLC formation. You can hire a Registered Agent for LLC formation. They will prepare and file the required documents with the government online on your behalf.
If you hire Northwest as your Registered Agent, you will not pay an additional fee for a business address. Northwest has an organizational structure with offices in all US states.
- Choose a name for your LLC: You will need to choose a name for your LLC to be formed in Alabama. The LLC name must not conflict with previously registered company names in the state database. You can start a name check search on the state website.
- Get a domain name for your LLC:Have you already checked if the website name (domain) you are creating for your new business has been registered? You should check this. You can quickly register a company domain name with Namecheap, so that no one else can take or use your domain name in the future.
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- File your LLC Formation Application Online: It may be wise to hire a Registered Agent to create and keep your LLC in good standing. Northwest Registered Agent is one of the most affordable and highest quality options. Access the Northwest LLC formation page through this link and place an order for them to create your company online.
- Create an Operating Agreement: An Operating Agreement outlines the management structure and rules of the company. It is not required to be created in most states. While it is not required to create an Operating Agreement, it is recommended to have one. Northwest will create a free Operating Agreement for you.
The approval time for an LLC in the state of Alabama is 2-6 business days
What happens after your LLC is approved in the state of Alabama?
- Your LLC formation document will be delivered to you electronically.
- After receiving the LLC formation documents (electronically), get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Without an EIN, you cannot open a bank account or register for payment systems like Stripe or PayPal. You can apply for an EIN yourself by filling out the SS4 form and sending it to the IRS.
Requirements and Taxes
Federal Taxes: All LLCs require a federal tax identification number, known as an EIN. An EIN is essentially a commercial version of a social security number and is used for important LLC functions. If the LLC has not elected to be taxed as a corporation, the taxes pass through to the LLC members. LLC members may be responsible for paying federal income tax. You can seek the support of a tax expert on this matter.
State Requirements: Alabama LLCs must file an Annual Report with the state each year, regardless of income. It is important to meet the annual report requirements in a timely manner.
Sales Tax Rate in Alabama
Sales Tax in Alabama:The state of Alabama has a sales tax in place. The sales tax rate in Alabama is 4%, with an additional local tax ranging from 0% to 10%. The total sales tax rate in Alabama can vary based on the location of the sale. You can find more information on sales tax rates in Alabama on the Alabama Department of Revenue website.
Obtaining Business Licenses and Permits
To operate a business in Alabama, you may need to obtain a business license. The requirements for obtaining a business license in Alabama depend on the nature of your business and the location where you will be operating.
Some general requirements for obtaining a business license in Alabama include:
- Determine the type of business license you need: Alabama has different types of business licenses depending on the nature of your business. You should research the specific requirements for your business to determine the type of license you need.
- Register your business name: If you will be doing business under a name other than your own, you will need to register your business name with the Alabama Secretary of State.
- Obtain any necessary permits or licenses: Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain additional permits or licenses to operate legally in Alabama. This could include professional licenses, zoning permits, or other permits specific to your industry.
- Pay the required fees: There are fees associated with obtaining a business license in Alabama. You will need to pay these fees in order to complete the process.
You can find more information on obtaining a business license in Alabama on the Alabama Business One Stop website. It is a good idea to research and understand the specific requirements for your business before starting to operate in Alabama.
Annual Reporting Requirements
The fee for filing an annual report for an LLC in Alabama is $100. If the report is filed late, a late fee of $100 will be assessed. If the annual report is not filed within 60 days of the due date, the LLC may be administratively dissolved by the Secretary of State.
It is important to understand and comply with the annual reporting requirements for your LLC in Alabama. You can find more information on annual reporting requirements and fees on the Alabama Secretary of State website.
Annual Reporting Payment Due Date
In Alabama, limited liability companies (LLCs) are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The annual report must be filed between January 1st and April 1st of each year. The report must include information about the LLC’s members and managers, as well as any changes that have occurred in the LLC’s structure or ownership.