How Do I Look Up a Business in New Hampshire? Starting a Business in NH

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Business Entity and LLC Search

To find out who owns a business in NH, conduct a New Hampshire business entity search with the Department of State. This search gives you access to the Business Name and ID Number, Formation Date, Status, Registered Agent, and Filing History. You can use the NH Business Lookup tool to search for businesses by name, location, or other criteria. The contact number for NH business services is 603-271-3246, or you can email [email protected]

Business Name Availability and Reservation

To check the availability of a business name or to reserve one, you can do the following:

  1. Contact NH business services at 603-271-3246 or email [email protected]
  2. Search online using the business inquiry page.
  3. Reserve a business name in NH for 120 days with a fee of $15.

Forming an LLC in NH

To start a New Hampshire Limited Liability Company (LLC), here are the steps:

  1. File your Certificate of Formation with the State of New Hampshire for $100.
  2. Dissolve your LLC by submitting a Certificate of Cancellation when necessary.
  3. Follow naming guidelines that require the name to be unique and appropriate.
  4. File an annual report by April 1 and pay the required fees to maintain your LLC.

LLC names must follow certain rules—distinguishable from others, and must not imply unauthorized activities.

Recognizing S Corporations in NH

New Hampshire does recognize S corporations; however, they must pay Business Profits Tax. The state does not maintain an individual income tax, nor does it have a general sales and use tax. An S corporation is a pass-through tax entity, with key reasons to incorporate including shareholder asset protection.

S Corporation Filing and Benefits

To file for S corp status with the IRS, you will need to file IRS Form 2553. The turnaround time for processing S corp paperwork in NH is typically two weeks. The 3 main advantages of forming an S corporation in NH include:

  • No double taxation
  • Loss deductions
  • Pass-through taxation

Forming an S corporation may require additional steps such as notifying creditors and distributing assets if dissolving. S corporations are restricted to 100 shareholders, who must be US citizens or resident aliens. A certificate of good standing is often required for interstate business or financing.

For the most part, forming and managing a business entity in New Hampshire takes considerable steps and compliance, but with diligent adherence to state guidelines and an understanding of the corporation types, it can lay the foundation for a thriving business.

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