Initial Registration and Formation Costs
The cost to register a business in Indiana generally involves the following:
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Indiana Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Indiana Incorporated Company (Inc.):
- Articles of Organization for Indiana LLC: $95 online filing fee
- Foreign LLC registration: $105 online filing fee
- Optional LLC formation services: starting from $29
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Sole Proprietorship:
- No registration with the Secretary of State required.
-
Articles of Incorporation for a corporation:
- Online filing fee: $95
- Mail filing fee: $100
The most common business license is a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (seller’s permit), which costs $25.
Ongoing Costs and Other Licenses
Indiana law mandates all businesses to have a valid sales tax permit. A registered agent in Indiana must be appointed to receive tax forms and correspondence. The costs for this service can range from $50 up to $300 or more annually.
Every other year, LLCs must file the "Business Entity Report":
- Online filing: $32
- Paper filing: $50
There is no specific “franchise” or “privilege” tax for LLCs in Indiana. However, businesses may be subject to state taxes such as sales tax or withholding tax.
Additional Information
Indiana boasts a competitive cost structure, with affordable real estate, utility costs, and labor costs. It also has a central location, facilitating access to various markets.
Various business activities may require additional federal, state, and municipal permits/licenses to legally operate across Indiana, for which fees will vary.
To start an LLC in Indiana, besides the initial fee paid to the Indiana Secretary of State for filing the Articles of Organization, ongoing expenses such as registered agent service and business insurance should be considered.