How to Start an LLC in Arizona
Last Updated: by Nagabhushanam Peddi
To start an Arizona LLC, you must file your Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporation Commission, which costs $50 online. You can apply online, by mail, or in person.
Follow our step-by-step How to Start an LLC in Arizona guide to get started today.
- Name Your Arizona LLC
- Choose a Statutory Agent
- File the Articles of Organization
- Complete Publication Requirements
- Create an Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
- Keep Your Company Compliant
Learn more about LLCs and their benefits in our What is an LLC guide. To form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Set Up an LLC guide.
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Step 1: Name Your Arizona LLC
Choosing a company name is the first and most important step in opening an LLC in Arizona. Be sure to choose a name that complies with Arizona naming requirements and is easily searchable by potential clients.
1. Follow the naming guidelines:
- Your name must include “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your Arizona LLC with a government agency (e.g., FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
- Restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your Arizona LLC.
- Your name must be distinguishable from any other Arizona limited liability company, corporation, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or trade name.
For more information, check out the Arizona Corporation Commission.
2. Is the name available in Arizona? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Arizona eCorp website.
To learn more about searching for an Arizona LLC name, read our full guide.
3. Is the URL available? We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.
Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.
We reviewed and ranked the best LLC services. Find out which is best for you.
Step 2: Choose a Statutory Agent in Arizona
You are required to nominate an Arizona statutory agent for your LLC. A statutory agent is more commonly known as a registered agent in other states.
What is a statutory agent? A statutory agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving notice of lawsuits on behalf of your business. Think of your statutory agent as your business's point of contact with the state.
Who can be a statutory agent? A statutory agent must be a resident of Arizona or a corporation, such as a registered agent service, authorized to transact business in Arizona. You may elect an individual within the company, including yourself.
Your registered agent must be at the business address or another physical street address within Arizona during regular business hours.
Upon appointment, your registered agent must complete the Statutory Agent Acceptance Form when you file your Articles of Organization.
Recommended: Check out these best registered agent services.
Step 3: File the Arizona LLC Articles of Organization
To register your Arizona LLC, you'll need to file the following forms with the Arizona Corporation Commission:
- Form L010: Articles of Organization
- Form M002: Statutory Agent Acceptance
- Form L041: Member Structure Attachment or Form L040: Manager Structure Attachment
- Cover Sheet
You can apply online, by mail, or in person.
Now is a good time to determine whether your LLC will be member-managed vs. manager-managed.
File the Articles of Organization
OPTION 1: File Online With Arizona eCorp
- OR -
OPTION 2: File by Mail or in Person
- Form L010: Articles of Organization
- Form M002: Statutory Agent Acceptance
- Form L040 (Manager) OR Form L041 (Member)
- Cover Sheet
State Filing Cost: $50 (Nonrefundable)
Filing Address:
Arizona Corporation Commission
Corporate Filings Section
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
For help with completing the form, visit our Arizona Articles of Organization guide.
If you’re expanding your existing LLC to the state of Arizona, you will need to form a foreign LLC.
Step 4: Complete Arizona LLC Publication Requirement
What is Arizona's LLC publication requirement? Arizona requires newly formed LLCs to publish a Notice of LLC Formation for three consecutive weeks in an approved newspaper in the county of the LLC’s principal office. This must be done within 60 days of formation.
Exceptions: Businesses whose principal address is in either Maricopa or Pima counties do not have to publish a Notice of LLC Formation.
What does my Notice of LLC Formation need to include? You will need to publish the following information:
- Your LLC's name
- The name and street address of your Statutory Agent
- The address of the LLC's principal place of business (if different from that of the Statutory Agent)
- Whether your LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
- The name(s) and address(es) of either your LLC manager or each member of your LLC
Read our complete guide for Arizona LLC publication requirements to learn more.
Approved Newspapers
Get the complete list of newspapers organized by county, courtesy of the Arizona Corporation Commission, Corporations Division.
Fee: Fees vary by county. Costs range from $30-$300. (Nonrefundable)
Step 5: Create an Arizona LLC Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is not required for an Arizona LLC, but having one is a good practice.
What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.
Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.
Read our Arizona LLC operating agreement guide for more information on operating agreements.
Recommended: Use our free Operating Agreement Tool to draft a customized operating agreement for your LLC.
Step 6: Get an Arizona LLC EIN
You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Federal Employer Identification Number or Federal Tax Identification Number, from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting. It is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.
Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:
- To open a business bank account for the company
- For federal and state tax purposes
- To hire employees for the company
Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.
FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.
Get an EIN
Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS
- OR -
Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax
Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax: (855) 641-6935
Fee: Free
Steps After LLC Formation
Read all the steps you’ll need to maintain your LLC’s personal liability protection, open a business bank account, get business insurance, and stay current with state reporting requirements.
Visit our After Forming an LLC guide to learn more.
Step 7: Keep Your Company Compliant
Arizona LLC Business Licenses & Permits
You must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations to operate your LLC. Fees and requirements for licenses and permits will vary depending on what sort of business license you need.
Find out how to get your LLC's business licenses and permits with our Arizona Business License guide.
Recommended: Consider having a professional service research your business’s licensing requirements. Read our best business license services review.
Arizona LLC Tax Filing Requirements
It's essential to stay up to date on Arizona LLC taxes.
Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to register for one or more forms of tax:
Sales Tax
If you sell a physical product, you must typically register for an Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License. Referred to as a sales tax in most places, this is a tax on vendors for the privilege of doing business in Arizona.
The Arizona Department of Revenue collects the tax for the counties and cities, but rates will vary based on the business type and location.
Employer Taxes
If hiring employees, you must register for both Unemployment Insurance Tax and Employee Withholding Tax with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
Income Tax
State
Arizona has a flat individual income tax rate of 2.5%
State tax returns are due each year by April 18. To calculate your tax or determine your tax bracket, visit the Arizona Department of Revenue website.
Federal
You’ll also need to report your federal income tax using either Form 1065 (multi-member LLC) or Form 1040 Schedule C (single-member LLC).
Hiring Employees in Arizona
If you plan to hire employees for your Arizona LLC, stay compliant with the law by following these steps:
- Verify that new employees can work in the US
- Report employees as "new hires" to the state
- Provide workers' compensation insurance for employees
- Withhold employee taxes
- Print workplace compliance posters and place them in visible areas of your workspace
You can find out more from the Industrial Commission of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Recommended: Check out our Hiring for your Small Business Guide for resources like sample job descriptions, payroll service reviews, and more.
Common Questions About Arizona LLCs
What is an LLC?
LLC is short for “limited liability company.” It is a simple business structure that offers more flexibility than a traditional corporation while providing many of the same benefits. Read our What is a Limited Liability Company guide for more information.
Or, watch our two-minute What is an LLC video.
How do I name my Arizona LLC?
You must follow the Arizona LLC naming guidelines when choosing a name for your LLC:
- Include "limited liability company" or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
- Do not use words that could confuse your business with a government agency (FBI, State Department, CIA, etc.).
- Receive the proper licensing when using the words such as lawyer or doctor.
If you have trouble creating a name for your LLC, use our LLC Name Generator. We'll help you find a unique name for your business and an available URL to match.
After you get your business name, get a unique logo using our Free Logo Generator.
Do I need to get a DBA or trade name for my business?
Most LLCs do not need a doing business as (DBA) name, known as a trade name in Arizona. The name of the LLC can serve as your company’s brand name, and you can accept checks and other payments under that name as well. However, you may wish to register a DBA to conduct business under another name.
To learn more about DBAs in your state, read our How to File a DBA guide.
Can I be my own statutory agent in Arizona?
Yes. You or anyone else in your company can serve as the statutory agent for your Arizona LLC.
Read more about being your own statutory agent.
Is a registered agent service worth it?
A professional registered agent service is an affordable way to manage government filings for your Arizona LLC. For most businesses, the advantages of using a professional service significantly outweigh the annual costs.
For more information, read our article on Arizona statutory agents.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Arizona?
Regular Articles of Organization processing can take up to 30 business days.
Typically, the Arizona Corporation Commission approves LLC formation paperwork on a first-come, first-serve basis, but processing can be expedited for an additional fee.
Go to our How Long Does it Take to Form an LLC in Arizona guide to learn more.
What is the difference between a domestic LLC and a foreign LLC?
An LLC is called a "domestic LLC" when it conducts business in the state where it was formed. A foreign LLC must be formed when an existing LLC wishes to expand its business to another state.
Read our What Is a Foreign LLC article to learn more.
How much does it cost to start an Arizona LLC?
The Arizona LLC filing fee is $50.
To learn more, read our guide on the cost of forming an Arizona LLC.
Do I need to file my operating agreement with the State of Arizona?
No. The operating agreement is an internal document that you should keep on file for future reference.
How do I get an EIN if I don’t have a Social Security number?
A Social Security number is not required to get an EIN. Fill out IRS Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. Then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Learn more here about applying as an international applicant.
What tax structure should I choose for my Arizona LLC?
When you get an EIN, you will be informed of the available tax classification options. Most LLCs elect the default tax status.
However, some LLCs can reduce their federal tax obligation by choosing the S corporation (S corp) status. To learn more, read our LLC vs. S Corp guide.
Do I need an EIN for my LLC?
All LLCs with employees, or any LLC with more than one member, must have an EIN. The IRS requires this.
Learn why we recommend always getting an EIN and how to get one for free in our Do I Need an EIN for an LLC guide.
What is the minimum wage in Arizona?
The minimum wage in Arizona is $13.85 per hour. The minimum wage in Flagstaff is $16.80 an hour.
How often do I need to pay employees in Arizona?
Wages must be paid two or more days a month; these days cannot be more than 16 days apart.
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