How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Idaho?

Idaho LLC Online Filing Fee: $100

The main cost to start an LLC in Idaho is the $100 fee to file your LLC's Certificate of Organization online with the Idaho Secretary of State.

For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Idaho Annual Report Fee: Free

Idaho requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State.

You can submit this form through the Idaho SOSBiz website. It is due each year at the end of the month the company was formed in.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Idaho

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Idaho, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Idaho.

The cost for registering an Idaho foreign LLC is $100. You can register a foreign LLC in Idaho by filing a Foreign Registration Statement for a Limited Liability Company.

Optional LLC Formation Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation

Reserve your name for up to four months prior to LLC formation by filing an Application for Reservation of Legal Entity Name and paying the $20 filing fee.

Foreign LLC Name Registration

If a Foreign LLC’s name is not available in Idaho, they can file an Application for Registration of Foreign Name and pay a $60 filing fee to register a new name.

Assumed Business Name

File a Certificate of Assumed Business Name and pay the $25 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Seven Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Idaho

Step 1: Name Your Idaho LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File a Certificate of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN
Step 6: File the Annual Report
Step 7: Keep Your Company Compliant

Step 1: Name Your Idaho LLC

When you name your Idaho LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Idaho
2. Meets Idaho naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Idaho guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Idaho.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

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 create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Idaho must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Idaho registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Idaho
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization

The Idaho Certificate of Organization is a document that is filed with the Idaho Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing a Certificate of Organization is $100 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Certificate of Organization, visit our How to File the Idaho Certificate of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Idaho LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

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.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Idaho LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees

Step 6: File the Annual Report

Idaho requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State, due by the end of the month in which the LLC was formed. This can be done online with no filing fee.

LLCs can be dissolved after 60 days for failure to file an annual report.

Step 7: Keep Your Company Compliant

Operating your LLC in Idaho necessitates compliance with a myriad of laws at the federal, state, and local levels. The following guidelines will help you stay on track:

• Business Licenses & Permits: Depending on the nature of your business, different licenses and permits may be required. Our Idaho Business License guide will provide you with the necessary information. It's advisable to engage professional help to navigate these prerequisites.
• Idaho LLC Tax Responsibilities: You will likely need to register for multiple forms of state tax. The state sales tax stands at 6%, with possible additional local taxes of up to 3% in certain areas. If you have employees, you'll need to handle both Unemployment Insurance Tax and Employee Withholding Tax. The state's income tax varies from 1% to 6% depending on your LLC's income.
• Hiring Practices: If you're considering hiring employees, make sure they're eligible to work in the US, report them as "new hires" to the state, provide the necessary workers' compensation insurance, and manage employee tax withholdings. Be sure to display workplace compliance posters prominently.

Following these steps can help you run your Idaho LLC while meeting all regulatory and compliance requirements. The above guide focuses on the most important elements to ensure your LLC's smooth operation in Idaho.