If you’re looking for a reliable DIY guide for starting an LLC in Minnesota, look no further.
Below you’ll find all the information you need to launch your business and handle any associated costs.
Follow each step carefully and your LLC will be established and ready to hit the ground running. We’ve also included helpful resources along the way.
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Step 1: Name Your LLC
What’s in a name? Quite a bit, actually. Your business name is your Minnesota LLC’s identity, its personality, and its reputation. Find a name that sticks in customers’ minds – while conveying your brand qualities – and you’ve struck gold. A unique, memorable name can draw in new customers and keep existing ones coming back.
Your LLC name is going to appear everywhere: business cards, marketing collateral, websites, legal contracts, bank accounts, invoices, directories, and much more. So be sure that it conveys your product, service, brand, and values.
While you can (and should) be creative with your business name, there are certain state requirements that it must follow.
According to Minnesota law, your LLC name must include the words “limited liability company” or “professional limited liability company,” or the abbreviations LLC or PLC, and not include the words “corporation” or “incorporated,” or any abbreviations of those words. On top of that, your name shouldn’t suggest a business purpose other than the one you state in your Articles of Organization.
And you could follow all of these rules carefully, but your name won’t be valid if it’s already in use. It must be distinguishable from every other business name reserved or registered with the state. When attempting to distinguish a name, making changes to the following components will NOT be effective:
- Punctuation and special characters
- Capitalization and spacing
- Articles (“a,” “an,” and “the”)
- Conjunctions (like “and,” “but,” and “or”)
- Business type designators like LLC, Ltd., Inc., or Corp.
You must add, remove, rearrange, or otherwise alter the name’s keywords to make it distinguishable.
For Example
Consider this: your friend Fanny wants to open a flower shop in Moorhead, Minnesota. The name she wants, Flowers by Fanny, LLC is already in use. So she comes up with a new one: Fanny’s Florals and Design, LLC. This name is similar to the original but includes new words, distinguishing it in the state’s records.
Determine the Name Is Available
Of course, you will only need to make distinguishable changes if your name is already taken. Don’t make the mistake of ordering business cards, creating advertisements, and using a name on documents like the Articles of Organization without first confirming it’s available. Use the Secretary of State’s business filing search to see if there’s an existing business using your desired name.
Maybe you pegged a distinguishable name right away, or maybe it took some modifications, but either way, once you have a unique name, you can lock it down by filing a name reservation.
Optional: Name Reservation
You may have fallen in love with a particular name, but you still have some preparation and paperwork to sort out before starting your LLC, and you’re worried that someone will swipe it in the meantime. To calm your nerves, you can reserve that name in Minnesota for a year.
Think about Fanny. After making her name distinguishable, she’s ready to make it official, but if she’s waiting on some paperwork to start her LLC, she can place a hold by filing a name reservation request either online or by mailing a hard copy to:
Minnesota Secretary of State – Business Services
Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building
60 Empire Drive, Suite 100
St Paul, MN 55103
You can also deliver your completed form in person at the same address. Oddly enough, there are different fees associated with this filing: $55 for online or in-person submissions, or $35 via mail. If you file online or in person, the state will process your filing immediately, but mailed filings take 5-7 business days.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Fanny’s LLC is quickly taking shape, and if it’s going to operate in Minnesota, she’ll need a go-between for state and legal communications. This is called the registered agent.
A registered agent is a key component of your budding LLC, handling all of its sensitive communication with the state so you don’t have to. But maintaining an agent isn’t just a convenience, it’s required.
According to Section 5.36 of the Minnesota Statutes, “A business entity formed under the laws of another jurisdiction must designate a registered agent when registering to do business in Minnesota. The registered agent may be a natural person residing in this state, a domestic corporation, or limited liability company, or a foreign corporation or foreign limited liability company authorized to transact business in this state.”
LLC taxes, lawsuits, maintenance requirements, and more – the registered agent takes care of it all. If you had to do this yourself, it would pile additional tasks onto your already-full plate. Plus, your agent makes your business available to receive documents even when you’re out of town or away from the office. This is especially important if your physical office is outside Minnesota and you foreign qualified your LLC here.
Now for the practical application, the “how-to.” Fortunately, declaring a registered agent is easy. All you need to do is list the agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization and that information will become part of your LLC’s public record.
You have two options for who can serve as a registered agent: an individual or a company.
Individual as Registered Agent
You may think that an individual registered agent would need specialized training or experience, but this isn’t the case. Anyone can serve as your registered agent, as long as they are a Minnesota resident and have a physical address in the state. You can even serve as your own LLC’s agent, provided you meet these requirements.
Third parties like attorneys, accountants, or consultants can be good options, but friends and family are valid choices too.
Registered Agent Service
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It can be a lot easier, though, to use an LLC formation service as your registered agent, so we highly recommend it. Not only will they take care of business formation requirements, but they’ll also include a free registered agent service. Or, if you’d rather start your LLC on your own, you can use registered agent services to cover your agent duties.
During the life of your LLC, you may, at some point, need to change your registered agent. Perhaps you want to switch from an individual to a professional service, or maybe your existing registered agent resigns. Either way, you’ll want to make the change as soon as possible because operating without an agent on file can lead to administrative dissolution.
Step 3: File the Formation Documents with the State
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This is where the LLC formation process kicks into high gear. Let’s check back in with Fanny.
She’s reserved her unique business name and designated a registered agent, and she’s ready to get her LLC off the ground. It’s time for Fanny to take on the most important LLC document: the Articles of Organization. This filing creates a record for Fanny’s Florals and Design, LLC with the Minnesota Secretary of State, giving it authorization to commence business in the state.
You can file your Articles of Organization online, by mail, or in person, so whether you prefer the expediency of electronic filings or the tactile reliability of a paper form, there’s an option for you. This form costs $135 to file by mail or $155 to file online or in person.
Online Filing
Complete the digital form found on the Secretary of State’s online filing system. You can complete the entire process, including payment and expedited requests, through the filing portal.
Download and complete the paper form, then mail it – with your payment – to:
Minnesota Secretary of State – Business Services
Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building
60 Empire Drive, Suite 100
St Paul, MN 55103
In Person
If you feel like going out for a drive, hand-deliver your form as part of your weekly errands to the same address listed above.
In-person and online filings are typically processed immediately, while mailed filings can take 5-7 business days.
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
The operating agreement is the framework that holds up an LLC, the vital underpinning that establishes processes for its procedures, activities, and conduct. Essentially, it serves as your company’s bylaws.
Your LLC is not technically required to adopt an operating agreement in Minnesota. There’s no state law that mandates it. But that doesn’t mean it’s in your best interest to go without one. Creating an operating agreement doesn’t just entrench your LLC’s procedures, but it protects your assets in legal disputes and legitimizes your company in front of banks, courts, government agencies, and more, so we strongly recommend having one.
Let’s say our friend Fanny sells a percentage of her company to two other owners. Her operating agreement could stipulate how the LLC’s assets would be distributed among them in the case of dissolution.
But if she decides to maintain sole ownership, the agreement could be used in court as evidence that the LLC’s assets are separate from her personal ones. These are just two examples, but the operating agreement governs everything from member duties to tax structures.
If you’ve decided to draft an agreement, there are two ways to go about it:
- Write it yourself. Don’t be intimidated by this option. There are plenty of free online templates that serve as helpful guides. You can create an effective document from most of the templates out there, but our favorite free template is from TRUiC.
- Hire an attorney. If you want to be absolutely sure that you don’t miss any important details, an attorney can write or review the agreement for you, ensuring that it includes all necessary information.
What are default laws?
Each state has its own set of generic, baseline laws for how LLCs should operate. These laws, however, only govern matters not included in your operating agreement. Take dissolution, for example. If your LLC ever dissolves, your operating agreement would determine what happens to its remaining assets and debts. But if you fail to include it in the agreement, the state will make that decision for you.
Because default laws are broad and not tailored to your specific business, they often aren’t in your LLC’s best interest, so it’s best to avoid them by being as comprehensive as possible in your agreement.
Step 5: Get an EIN
There’s simply no way to avoid taxes. In fact, it’s illegal to try, so don’t do it.
Federally, LLCs are classified as “pass-through” entities, businesses that don’t file corporate tax returns, but whose owners include income and losses on their individual returns. Still, there are certain circumstances that require LLCs to pay federal taxes, like classifying as a corporation, hiring employees, or selling merchandise. So, in Fanny’s case, if she plans on hiring additional florists and selling bouquets, she will need to apply for an EIN.
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number that the IRS will use to identify your company’s tax accounts, so if you pay any business taxes, it’s extremely important to have one. Click the “Do I need an EIN?” link on this page to see if you fall into this category. If so, apply for an EIN one of three ways:
Online
Need to get this done quickly? File online – it’s by far the most efficient method. You can only complete the process between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, but you’ll receive your number immediately upon finishing the digital form. Keep in mind that you will need to provide a valid individual taxpayer number (like a Social Security Number) as part of the process.
Fax
You might prefer the feel and security of a paper form. In this case, download Form SS-4, complete it, and fax it to (855) 641-6935. You will receive your EIN within four business days.
Or, there’s always trusty postal mail. However, this is the slowest option, as processing typically takes around four weeks. If that doesn’t deter you, fill out Form SS-4 and send it to:
Internal Revenue Service Operation
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Okay, so you’ve filed the Articles of Organization, designated a resident agent, adopted an operating agreement, and filed for an EIN. Time to start doing business, right? Sorry, there are a couple of additional steps you may need to take first. But don’t worry, you’re almost there!
Step 6: Taxes, Licensing, & Income Reporting
For all intents and purposes, most LLCs will be official after completing all the prior steps. Still, it’s important for business owners like Fanny to keep looking ahead, as there are certain maintenance requirements to keep a Minnesota LLC running smoothly and in good standing with the state.
Before you start doing business, create a plan for the following potential LLC requirements:
Federal Taxes
As mentioned earlier, LLCs are almost always classified as “pass-through” entities, which means that they don’t pay income taxes directly to the federal government. That responsibility falls instead on the owners, who must include business income and losses on their personal 1040 tax returns and/or Schedule C. LLCs are flexible with tax structure, so you can choose to have yours taxed like a corporation instead. In this case, it would need to file a separate corporate tax return.
State Taxes
Like federal income taxes, Minnesota’s income taxes pass through to LLC owners’ personal returns (unless the LLC is classified as a corporation for tax purposes). And you won’t have to worry about paying a “franchise” or “privilege” tax either, because Minnesota doesn’t require them.
Additional Taxes
This doesn’t mean, however, that your LLC won’t have any state taxes. Do you hire employees? If so, your LLC will owe a Withholding Tax and Unemployment Tax. Do you sell any merchandise? Then your LLC will be responsible for a Sales Tax and/or Use Tax. Register for any of these taxes through the Department of Revenue.
Plus, depending on your LLC’s location, it may owe a local tax to its city, municipality, or county. Consult your local government’s website to find out.
Licensing
The Articles of Organization may have already made your business legitimate, but your LLC might still need to obtain a license before doing business. This all depends, however, on the type of business you run.
Our friend Fanny, for example, may need to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture before opening her flower shop’s doors. And if she wanted to serve pastries to her customers, she would need a food service license too. If you’re unsure whether your LLC will need any particular licenses, you can search the database by letter or scroll through each agency to find the relevant department.
Certain cities and counties require their own specific licenses on top of any state ones, so you should also check with your local government.
Reporting
Once you’ve taken all the steps to start your LLC, you’ll be off and running, making deals and growing the company. But when you’re rolling along and things are moving 100 miles per hour, don’t forget that Minnesota requires all of its businesses to submit one important recurring filing: the Annual Renewal.
Mark it on your calendar, your planner, or in your phone – your LLC will need to file an Annual Renewal once per calendar year, and you will also need to pay a filing fee: $25 if filed by mail or $45 if filed online or by hand. The state will send your registered agent a reminder before the deadline so you have plenty of time to complete it.
When you’ve finished the form, you can submit it online, or you can mail or hand-deliver it to the addresses listed in the Articles of Organization section. And don’t forget! If you fail to file on time, your LLC can lose its good standing with the state.
And we’ve come to the end. It’s a long process, and not always easy, but the reward is well worth it. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! Your Minnesota LLC is ready for takeoff. So go ahead and start with that big sale, promotional campaign, or business deal. Maybe you’ll see Fanny out there in the business world, selling her beautiful floral creations.
Get The Best LLC Service
If you want to use a service to form your LLC, there are dozens of options. We invite you to check out our full list of the best available LLC formation services, but we’ll also share a couple of the most popular options below.
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For most people, LegalZoom is the first name that comes to mind for LLC services due to their massive advertising budget. LegalZoom’s pricing and features may not compete on an equal playing field with ZenBusiness, but its brand power is notable and it receives good customer reviews.
For a side by side comparison, check out our LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the business tax rates in Minnesota?
If your LLC is taxed like a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you’ll need to pay taxes on your business income at the state’s personal income tax rates (between 5.35% and 9.85%, depending on your income level). If your LLC is taxed like a corporation, you’re required to pay Minnesota’s 9.8% corporate income tax on your business revenue.
How quickly does Minnesota process LLC formations?
The Secretary of State should be able to process your LLC’s formation within 3-5 business days if you file by mail. If you’re in a hurry, you can hand-deliver your documents or file online and they will process them as you wait.
How many small businesses are there in Minnesota today?
The state of Minnesota is home to nearly 465,000 small businesses. Entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and business types find that Minnesota is a great place to own and operate a small business.
What are the top small business resources and websites in Minnesota?
The Minnesota chapter of the Small Business Development Center is a great place to start, as they offer a wide variety of tools and resources for Minnesota LLCs. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota District Office is another valuable resource, and the state’s Small Business Assistance Office also has plenty of good info.
Should I form my LLC in Minnesota, or choose a state like Delaware or Wyoming?
Some people like to form their LLCs in states with favorable legal settings. For instance, Delaware is often seen as the most business-friendly state, as it has an entire court system that’s dedicated solely to business matters. As for Wyoming, this state has some of the most generous anonymity laws for LLC ownership.
However, for most people, your best option is to simply form your business in your home state. Forming in a different state can be a tremendous hassle, and it can add some unnecessary complexity to tax issues as well.
Where Can I Learn More About the Minnesota LLC Licensing and Permitting Requirements?
Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with Minnesota state law. For more information about business licenses and more in this state, check out Minnesota’s handy Business Licenses and Permits page.
Do I Need to File an Annual Renewal for My LLC in Minnesota?
Yes. Whether you operate a domestic or foreign LLC in this state, you are required to file a Minnesota LLC Annual Renewal.
What Is the Total Expected Cost of Operating an LLC in Minnesota?
The overall costs of operating a Minnesota LLC can vary considerably based on the specifics of your business. However, we created a helpful guide to help you identify and plan for every expense your LLC will face in this state.
Should I Use an LLC Service, Hire an Attorney, or Form My Own LLC?
The answer to this question lies in your personal preferences, but we can give some general pointers. An attorney will cost the most by a mile, but also provides expertise you won’t find with the other options. The DIY route is free of charge but can require quite a bit of legwork and provides no peace of mind that the process is being completed correctly.
Using an LLC service means your business will be formed by professionals who know what they’re doing, while also costing significantly less than a lawyer. This “best of both worlds” attribute is what makes LLC services our preferred option.
How Do Online LLC Services Work?
Using an online LLC service removes much of the hassle from the formation process. With these services, all you need to do is provide them with the name, location, and industry your business operates in, along with some info about yourself and your Minnesota registered agent.
The service then files your Articles of Organization with the state to officially form your Minnesota LLC.
Start an LLC in All 50 States
We break down the LLC formation process in detail in all 50 states. View all of our LLC formation guides below.
- Start an LLC in Alabama
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