How to Start a Series LLC in Iowa
A series LLC in Iowa is a special type of LLC that provides specific liability and tax benefits to its owners and members. The series LLC consists of a master LLC and one or more individual series that branch off from it.
If you want to learn more about the basics of series LLCs, check out our What is a Series LLC page.
Starting your own Series LLC in Iowa doesn’t have to be difficult. Our step-by-step guide makes it simple!
Step 1: Name Your Iowa Series LLC
Before naming your series LLC, you should know the answers to these questions:
- What are the laws for naming a series LLC?
- What are some general tips for naming a series LLC?
- Is my business name available in Iowa?
- Is my business name available as a URL and if so, how do I buy it?
1. Series LLC naming rules vary from state to state. In Iowa, you are only required to follow traditional LLC naming laws when naming your series LLC.
Follow the required Iowa LLC Naming Rules:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
- Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency.
- 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 LLC.
2. Consider these general tips for making your series’ names more recognizable, uniform, and clear:
- Use the word “protected series” within the name of each company.
- Name the parent LLC in a way that distinguishes it from the child series.
- Include the full name of the parent LLC in the name of each child series.
- The name of the child series should include the name of the assets it holds. This creates a clearer asset picture to the public and creditors.
Example of a series LLC naming system that uses both the state of Iowa requirements and general tips:
My Holdings Co., LLC, a series LLC
123 Main Street, LLC, an individual protected series of My Holdings Co., LLC, a series LLC
123 Division Street, LLC, an individual protected series of My Holdings Co., LLC, a series LLC
3. Is your business name available in Iowa? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the State of Iowa website.
4. Is your business name available as a URL? We recommend that you check 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.
TIP:
Use a DBA, also called a trade name or fictitious name in Iowa, for the child series if the name is too long for good business branding.
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our LLC Name Generator.
Step 2: Choose an Iowa Series LLC Registered Agent
You are required to nominate a Registered Agent for your Iowa series LLC. The Registered Agent for the parent LLC will need to be the same for each child series.
What is a Registered Agent? A registered agent is a person or business that agrees to send and receive legal papers on behalf of your series LLC. Such papers include service of process of legal action (if you are sued) and state filings.
Who can be a Registered Agent? A registered agent must be a resident of Iowa or a corporation authorized to transact business in Iowa. You may elect an individual within the company including yourself.
Learn more about the role of a registered agent and why you should consider hiring a professional service.
Recommended: Northwest provides registered agent services for series LLCs. A subscription will need to be purchased for each LLC in the series ($125/year/LLC).
Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization
To register your series LLC, you will need to file the Certificate of Organization with the State of Iowa. This can be done online.
We recommend consulting with an Attorney when filing your Iowa Certificate of Organization. Iowa does not provide any language about the series LLC on the Certificate of Organization form. Experts suggest attaching an addendum to outline your Iowa series LLC.
The cost of filing the certificate of organization form is $50.
We recommend working with an Attorney to help you complete your series LLC Articles of Organization.
Or read our free guide to form a standard single or multi-member LLC in Iowa.
File the Certificate of Organization
File the Certificate of Organization Online with the Iowa Secretary of State
FILE ONLINEState Filing Cost: $50 (Nonrefundable)
Note: After logging in click "File a Document" located in the top menu.
Processing Time: Immediately after payment is received.
If you’re expanding your existing LLC to the State of Iowa, you need to form a Foreign LLC.
Step 4: Creating a Series LLC Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is required when starting a series LLC in Iowa. The operating agreement does not have to be filed with the state.
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? For a series LLC, the operating agreement is important because it outlines the liability limitations (asset protection) of the individual series. Without a specific outline of liability limitations, a court might not uphold the protection between the series.
We recommend working with an attorney when creating your Iowa series LLC operating agreement.
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New child series can be added to the series LLC by amending the operating agreement.
Step 5: Obtain an EIN
What is an EIN? The Employer Identification Number (EIN), or Federal Tax Identification Number, is used to identify a business entity. Each of the child series in your series LLC will require an EIN.
Why do I need an EIN? An EIN 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
How do I create an EIN for my series LLC? The IRS doesn’t have specific guidelines for creating an EIN for the child series of a series LLC. Experts suggest using the name of your series LLC combined with the child series name for each additional EIN.
Example Series LLC EIN
Series LLC Name: My Holdings Co., LLC, a series LLC
EIN entry: My Holdings Co LLC a series LLC
Child Series Name: 123 Main St., LLC, an individual protected series of My Holdings Co., LLC, a series
EIN Entry: 123 Main St LLC an individual protected series of My Holdings Co LLC a series
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
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 obtain an EIN. Read more about applying for an EIN as an International here.
Key Steps After Forming a Series LLC
Now that you have formed your Iowa series LLC, these are the next steps you will need to take to move your business forward.
Open a Business Banking Account
A dedicated business banking account is required for each child series of a series LLC. Without dedicated accounts, the child series are NOT protected from liabilities incurred by the other child series or the parent LLC.
Set Up Accounting
Accounting and record keeping for the series LLC MUST be clear, concise, and separate. Without careful record keeping, your series might not be protected. Separate record keeping helps ensure the courts will never allow a creditor or plaintiff to pierce the corporate veil.
Recommended: Use an accounting service to help with managing your Iowa series LLC.
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Expenses are sometimes shared across the series. For example, the series might share office space. Shared costs like rent can be spread out between the child series but it must be done in a logical way that will be defensible in court.
Register Your Series for Iowa State Tax
We recommend consulting a tax professional for help in tax planning and filing for your series LLC.
Maintain your LLC: Avoid fines and the risk of dissolution.
File Your LLC Biennial Report
Iowa requires LLCs to file a biennial report with the Iowa Secretary of State. This can be done online. The biennial report will be filed by the parent LLC on behalf of all of the entities in your series LLC.
File Your Biennial Report
File Online with the Iowa Secretary of State
FILE ONLINEFee: $60 (Nonrefundable)
Due Date: Due between January 1st and April 1st of every odd numbered years.
Late Filings: Iowa does not charge late fees if you miss your filing deadline but may administratively dissolve your LLC after a few months for failure to file an annual report.
Report LLC Income
Reporting income for your series LLC is best handled by an accountant who is familiar with series LLC tax code.
Avoid Dissolution
Series LLCs may face fines and even automatic dissolution when they miss one or more state filings. When this happens, series LLC owners risk loss of limited liability protection. A quality registered agent service can help prevent this outcome by notifying you of upcoming filing deadlines, and even submitting reports on your behalf for an additional fee.
Recommended: Northwest offers a reliable registered agent service and excellent customer support.
Become a knowledgeable LLC owner. Learn more about these important topics.
Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing
A Certificate of Good Standing, known in Iowa as a Certificate of Existence, verifies that your series LLC was legally formed and has been properly maintained. Several instances where you might need to get one include:
- Seeking funding from banks or other lenders
- Forming your business as a foreign LLC in another state
- Obtaining or renewing specific business licenses or permits
You can order an Iowa LLC Certificate of Existence online.
Order a Certificate of Good Standing
Request a Certificate Online
Order OnlineFee: $5 (Nonrefundable)
Enter your business name or business number, select your business, then select "Print Certificate of Existence."
Dissolve Your Iowa LLC
If at any point you no longer wish to conduct business with your series LLC, it is important to officially dissolve it. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities and penalties, or even legal trouble. To dissolve your series LLC, there are two broad steps:
- Close your business tax accounts
- File the Articles of Dissolution
TIP:
Closing a child series will not dissolve the parent LLC. Dissolving the parent LLC will dissolve all of the protected series under it.