How to Start an LLC in Indiana

To start an LLC in Indiana, you have to name your business, pick a registered agent, and file Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State for $95. After that, you’ll need to get an EIN, adopt an operating agreement, and take a few other steps to make sure your LLC is set up to do business.

Create a Indiana LLC in 5 Steps:

  1. Name your Indiana LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. File Articles of Organization
  4. Set up Business Operations
  5. File BOI Report
Start Your Indiana LLC

Step 1: Name Your Indiana LLC

The first step is to name your business. Here’s what to know.

Your business name must be unique in Indiana.

No two businesses in Indiana can have the same name, so you’ll need to make sure your desired business name is available in Indiana. To check, search your desired name on Indiana’s business search. If you’re not sure whether your name is too similar to another business name, you can call the Indiana Secretary of State to ask.

Your business name must include an entity identifier.

Make sure your LLC’s name includes “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company.”

Your business name can’t include misleading language.

Certain words or abbreviations are prohibited from business names by Indiana law. For example, any words that suggest your business is a government agency or an entity other than what it is (like “corporation”).

What else should I consider when naming my Indiana LLC?

If you’re forward thinking, you should also look online to see if your business name is available as a domain name and to check if it might be federally trademarked.

While your business name and domain name don’t need to match exactly, it’s smart to lock down a URL that will work for your business early on (even if you’re not ready for a website). This prevents someone else from using it and starts the process of building your online presence. When you hire us, you get a free domain name for a year.

Can an LLC go by a different name in Indiana?

Yes. If you use a different business name than the one on your Articles of Organization, that name is considered an Assumed Business Name or DBA.  If you want to use an Assumed Business Name, you’ll need to file an Assumed Name Filing with the Indiana Secretary of State.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

Next, you’ll need to choose an Indiana registered agent. This is a person or company appointed to accept legal mail on behalf of your business in person

Registered agents play a vital role in corporate transparency, as they provide the state with a dependable point of contact for your business.

Appointing a registered agent is legally required in Indiana. At a minimum, your registered agent must:

  • Have a physical address in Indiana
  • Be present at that address during business hours
  • Accept and forward legal notices to your business

While any individual who meets these requirements can be a registered agent, a professional registered agent can usually provide a lot more in terms of help setting up your business and protecting your privacy.

Can I be my own registered agent in Indiana?

Yes. Any individual with a physical address in Indiana who is available to accept legal notifications in person can act as a registered agent for your business. However, there are a few drawbacks to doing so:

  • You have to list your address on the public record.
  • You have to keep track of compliance filings and business records yourself.
  • You may have to get served in front of customers or clients.

When you hire us, we’ll take care of all of these items for you.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Once you have your business name and your registered agent’s information, you’re ready to file Articles of Organization. This is paperwork you can file either online or by mail. Either way, you’ll need to provide the following:

  • LLC Name. This will need to be unique in Indiana and include a designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.”
  • Email Address. You can use a business email address or a personal one here—this piece of information doesn’t go on the public record.
  • Mailing Address. This is where the SOS will return your documents.
  • Principal Office Address. This can be the address where you do business, a PO Box, or our address if you hire us.
  • Registered Agent. List the name, address, and email address of the individual who will accept service of process on behalf of your LLC in person (or hire us and we’ll list our info here).
  • Dissolution Date. If you want your LLC to end on a certain date, put that here. If (like most people) you want your LLC to continue until you decide to dissolve it, choose “perpetual.”
  • Member-managed or manager-managed. If all LLC owners will manage the LLC, it’s member-managed. If a manager or managers will manage your LLC, it’s manager-managed.
  • Organizer.This is just whoever is filling out and submitting your paperwork. It can’t be your LLC itself. When you hire us, we’ll list our information here.

It’s important to remember that the information you list on this form (aside from your email address) will be listed on the public record. It’s smart to minimize the use of personal information (like home addresses) as much as possible.

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How long does it take to get an LLC approved in Indiana?

It depends how you file. If you file online, it’ll usually only take only one business day. If you file by mail, you’ll probably have to wait 2-3 weeks.

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Indiana?

It costs $98 to file online and $100 to file by mail.

Step 4: Set up Business Operations

Once your Articles of Organization are approved by the Indiana Secretary of State, you have an LLC. But you’ll still need to take some steps to make sure your LLC is ready to do business.

  • Draft an operating agreement. While not required by law in Indiana, an operating agreement is crucial. It’s a contract that defines how your LLC will vote, distribute money, handle disputes, and more. Don’t skip it.
  • Get an EIN. This is a tax ID you can get through the IRS online. You’ll need one when you open your business bank account.
  • Organize your company finances. Your LLC will need a business bank account where members can make initial contributions. This will help you keep your personal money separate from your LLC’s money (a crucial step in maintaining your limited liability status).
  • Register a domain name. Even if you’re not ready to build out a website, you should reserve your business name as a domain name. This will help you start building your online presence and make sure no one else buys your desired domain name.

How much does an EIN cost?

Applying for an EIN with the IRS is free and only takes a few minutes.

Does Indiana require an operating agreement?

No. Indiana’s statutes do not require an LLC to adopt an operating agreement, but having one on file internally is very important. Without one, you’re leaving your LLC vulnerable to legal challenges.

Step 5. File BOI Report

The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report is a mandatory federal filing required for most LLCs. A result of the Corporate Transparency Act, the BOI discloses ownership information to the federal government. In 2024, you 90 days from registration to file your BOI Report. In 2025, that window shrinks to 30 days. We can take care of this requirement for you when you hire us to form your LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a business email address?

When you hire us to act as your registered agent or start an LLC, we’ll provide a business email address free for the first 90 days (and $9 per month after that). Using a professional email helps you keep your own email private while building trust and credibility with the public right from the get go.

Should my domain name match my business name exactly?

Not necessarily. If your business name is short, memorable, and available as a domain name—then absolutely. But if your business name is long and tricky to spell (for example, “Genevieve’s Vintage Emporium”), then you might be smart to go with something shorter and easier to type in (like “GensVintage.com”). The most important consideration is that your domain name and your business name are each on brand for your business, complementing each other in some way.

It depends! Some business names make for great domain names—they’re short, memorable, and easy to spell. But a lot of business names are long or have words that people find tricky to spell or remember. For example, if your business name is Saoirse and Gwendolyn’s Rare Book Emporium and Restaurant LLC, you might want to go with something like GwensBooks.com.

 

When is the Indiana business entity report due?

You have to file a business entity report to renew your LLC every two years. It’s due on the date of the anniversary of forming your LLC and becomes late after the anniversary month ends. This can be tricky to remember—when you hire us, we’ll keep track of your due dates and file your business entity reports for you.

How are Indiana LLCs taxed?

By default, an LLC in Indiana is taxed the same way as a sole proprietor or general partnership is: as a “pass-through” entity. This means profits “pass through” the business, straight to the owners. This means an LLC will pay the federal income tax and the 15.3% self-employment tax, along with Indiana’s state income tax of 3.23%. But LLCs can also opt to be tax differently (as an S-Corp or C-Corp).

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