Form Your Business in the United States
BusinessFormations.com gives you everything you need to start an LLC or corporation — entity selection, state filing, EIN registration, and ongoing compliance. One place. No guesswork.
Delaware
Wyoming
Florida
Texas
California
Nevada
New York
WashingtonHow It Works
Forming a business in the United States is straightforward. Here’s what the process looks like from start to finish.
Choose Your Entity & State
Decide between an LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp. Most businesses form in their home state. Delaware is the standard for VC-backed startups; Wyoming for privacy and low fees.
File Your Formation Documents
Submit Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corp) with your state’s Secretary of State. Your package includes EIN registration, operating agreement, and registered agent designation.
Launch & Stay Compliant
Open a business bank account, set up bookkeeping, and start operating. Stay on top of annual reports, registered agent renewals, and federal and state tax filings with our compliance tools.
Which Business Entity Is Right for You?
Each structure offers different advantages for liability protection, taxation, and growth.
LLC Formation
The most popular choice for small businesses in the United States. Flexible ownership, pass-through taxation, minimal compliance. Ideal for freelancers, agencies, and partnerships.
- Personal asset protection
- No ownership restrictions
- Pass-through or corporate taxation
- Simple annual compliance
C-Corporation
Built for venture capital, stock options, and exits. The standard structure VCs expect — with QSBS eligibility for up to $10M in tax-free capital gains.
- Issue common & preferred stock
- Attract investors with SAFEs
- QSBS — $10M tax-free exit
- 21% flat corporate tax rate
S-Corporation
A tax election that saves profitable businesses $3K–$15K+ per year in self-employment taxes. Split income into salary and distributions to keep more.
- SE tax savings at $60K+ profit
- Pass-through taxation
- Salary + distribution split
- Corporate liability protection
Not sure? Read our detailed comparisons: LLC vs. S-Corp · LLC vs. C-Corp · C-Corp vs. S-Corp — or get started and we’ll help you choose.
What’s Included When You Form with Us
Everything you need to go from idea to legally operating business — handled for you.
Formation Filing
Articles of Organization or Incorporation filed with your state’s Secretary of State. Most states approve in 1–5 business days.
Operating Agreement
Custom operating agreement (LLC) or bylaws (Corp) drafted to your specifications. Required by banks and recommended by every state.
EIN Registration
Federal Employer Identification Number filed with the IRS. Required for opening a business bank account, hiring, and taxes.
Registered Agent
Registered agent service in your state of formation. Required by law in all 50 states — we keep you in good standing.
Privacy Protection
Business address on your public filings instead of your home address. Essential for home-based businesses and solo founders.
Compliance Alerts
Annual report reminders, tax deadlines, and renewal notifications. Never miss a filing and risk penalties or dissolution.
Fast Processing
Same-day and rush filing options available. Standard processing in most states takes 3–7 business days.
Dedicated Support
Real people, not chatbots. Get help by phone, email, or chat from specialists who understand business formation.
Ready to Make It Official?
Choose your entity type, pick your state, and we’ll handle the filing. Most founders complete the process in under 10 minutes.
Free to start • Formation from $0 + state fee • All 50 states
Form a Business in Any U.S. State
We file in all 50 states. Here are the most popular states for business formation and their filing fees.
🗽 Delaware
The #1 state for C-Corps. Court of Chancery, business-friendly laws. The standard for VC-backed startups.
LLC: $90 · Corp: $89
🤠 Texas
No state income tax. Fast filing (2–3 days). One of the most popular states for LLCs and small businesses.
LLC: $300 · Corp: $300
🏔️ Wyoming
No state income tax, low fees, strong privacy. Ideal for online businesses and holding companies.
LLC: $100 · Corp: $100
🌴 Florida
No state income tax, large business community, fast processing. Growing hub for tech and e-commerce.
LLC: $125 · Corp: $70
🌉 California
Largest state economy, home to Silicon Valley. Note: $800 annual franchise tax applies to all entities.
LLC: $70 · Corp: $100
🗽 New York
Major business hub. LLC publication requirement adds $200–$1,500 depending on county.
LLC: $200 · Corp: $125
🏛️ Nevada
No state income tax, no franchise tax, strong charging order protections for LLC members.
LLC: $75 · Corp: $75
🌲 Washington
No personal income tax. Growing tech hub. Business & Occupation tax applies instead.
LLC: $200 · Corp: $180
State filing fees are approximate and may change. Most businesses should form in the state where they operate. See all 50 state guides.
Guides & Resources
In-depth resources written by our team to help you make the right decisions for your business.
How to Start an LLC
Step-by-step guide to forming your LLC — benefits, costs, state requirements, and operating agreement essentials.
Read the guide →LLC vs. S-Corp
When to add S-Corp tax status to your LLC — the $60K break-even point, SE tax savings, and payroll requirements.
Read the comparison →LLC vs. C-Corp
Raising capital? Need stock options? Learn when a C-Corp makes sense over an LLC — and when it doesn’t.
Read the comparison →C-Corp vs. S-Corp
Same entity, different tax treatment. Compare corporate taxation, investor compatibility, QSBS eligibility, and ownership rules.
Read the comparison →Registered Agent Explained
What a registered agent does, why every business needs one, and how to choose the right service for your state.
Read the guide →Business Name Generator
AI-powered name ideas with state availability checking. Find a brandable, memorable name for your new business.
Try the tool →What Founders Say
Entrepreneurs who used BusinessFormations.com to start their businesses.
“The LLC vs. S-Corp guide alone saved me $6,000 a year in taxes. The whole process — entity selection, state filing, EIN — took less than an hour.”— Sarah K., Agency Owner (Texas)
“I needed a Delaware C-Corp for our seed round and had no idea where to start. BusinessFormations laid it out step by step — incorporated in under 10 minutes.”— David R., SaaS Founder (Delaware)
“Clear, no-nonsense guidance. I formed my Wyoming LLC and had my EIN the same week. The compliance reminders have been a lifesaver since.”— Priya M., Consultant (Wyoming)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about forming a business in the United States.
What is BusinessFormations.com?
BusinessFormations.com helps entrepreneurs form LLCs, corporations, and other business entities in the United States. We provide step-by-step guidance through entity selection, state filing, EIN registration, and ongoing compliance — plus in-depth educational resources on every aspect of starting a business.
How much does it cost to form a business?
You can get started for as little as $0 + your state filing fee. State fees typically range from $50 to $500 depending on which U.S. state you file in. Premium packages with rush filing, registered agent, and compliance tools range from $49 to $299. See current pricing.
LLC or Corporation — which should I choose?
An LLC is the best fit for most small businesses — flexible, simple, and tax-efficient. A C-Corp is essential if you’re raising venture capital or planning an IPO. An S-Corp election saves $3K–$15K per year in self-employment taxes for profitable businesses. Compare LLC vs. S-Corp or LLC vs. C-Corp.
What state should I form my business in?
Most businesses should form in their home state. Delaware is the standard for VC-backed C-Corps due to its Court of Chancery and investor-friendly laws. Wyoming offers the lowest fees and strongest privacy protections. Forming out-of-state means registering as a foreign entity in your home state — additional cost and compliance.
How long does formation take?
The online process takes under 10 minutes. After filing, state approval typically takes 1–7 business days depending on the state. Rush and same-day options are available in most states for an additional fee.
Is a registered agent required?
Yes. Every LLC and corporation in the United States must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. A registered agent receives legal documents and state correspondence on behalf of your business.
Can non-U.S. residents form a business in America?
Yes. Foreign nationals can form an LLC or corporation in any U.S. state without a visa or residency. Delaware and Wyoming are the most popular choices for non-residents. You will need a registered agent with a physical address in your state of formation, and we handle that for you.
What happens after formation?
After your entity is approved, you’ll receive your formation documents, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement. Next steps include opening a business bank account, setting up bookkeeping, and — depending on your state — filing an initial report. Our compliance tools keep you on track with every deadline.
About BusinessFormations.com
BusinessFormations.com is a business formation platform that helps entrepreneurs start LLCs, corporations, and other business entities across all 50 U.S. states. We combine step-by-step formation tools with comprehensive educational resources — so whether you’re forming your first LLC or incorporating your third startup, you have everything you need in one place.
Every year, millions of new businesses are formed in the United States. Whether you’re a first-time founder starting a single-member LLC, a tech entrepreneur incorporating a Delaware C-Corp to raise venture capital, or a profitable consultant electing S-Corp tax status to reduce self-employment taxes, choosing the right business structure is one of the most important early decisions you’ll make.
How U.S. Business Formation Works
In the United States, business entities are formed at the state level by filing formation documents — Articles of Organization for LLCs or Articles of Incorporation for corporations — with the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) in your chosen state. Each state has its own filing fees, processing times, and ongoing compliance requirements such as annual reports and franchise taxes.
After formation, you’ll obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, which serves as your business’s tax ID. This is required for opening a business bank account, filing taxes, and hiring employees. A complete formation package typically includes the state filing, EIN registration, operating agreement or bylaws, and registered agent designation.
Why Ongoing Compliance Matters
Formation is just the first step. Every state requires ongoing filings — annual reports, registered agent renewals, and franchise taxes — to keep your business in good standing. A missed deadline can result in penalties, late fees, or even administrative dissolution of your entity. BusinessFormations.com provides compliance monitoring and deadline alerts so you never miss a filing after you launch.
We publish comprehensive guides on choosing the right entity type — LLC formation, C-Corp incorporation, and S-Corp election — along with detailed comparison guides: LLC vs. S-Corp, LLC vs. C-Corp, and C-Corp vs. S-Corp. We also cover state-specific requirements, cost breakdowns, and post-formation checklists. Some of the formation services available through our platform are provided by trusted filing partners. For full details, see our terms and disclosures.
Start Your Business Today
Choose your entity, pick your state, and file — all in under 10 minutes. Free to start.
Free to start • From $0 + state fee • All 50 U.S. states
