How did you register your business?

[GreenHostBox]

For my curiousity, this is a question mostly to people who have registered their business.


How did you register your business? Did you use services such as LegalZoom or BizFilings? Or did you register your business yourself manually?

 

[ChrisM]

Check with your state. Michigan has their own E-filing system for registering businesses. 

 

[Schultz]

In Australia - we get a TFN (tax file number) free, which we can then register a ABN (australian business number) with, also free and instant online.

I believe for taxation purposes that's as far as one needs to go.

If you wanted an LLC, business name or trademark you'd have to file for those. Imho, I prefer to do things manually as it gives you more control over what documents are lodged & its generally somewhat cheaper.

 

[TruvisT]

We went through the state for our LLC so we are fully registered, have an EIN and even pay state taxes as well.

If you call your state office, they will help you with any questions that you have and how to properly register your business. Well worth the time.

 

[KS_Phillip]

Online registration here in Sweden, and a quick phone call to the IRS for our USA EIN.

 

[drmike]

I threw the task out to our tax guy who looks at these things and keeping us straight.  He's not the run of mill tax preparer.

It ends up costing a bit more, but he sorts out benefits and warns of gotchas.

LLC filing for current entity.

Downside is the guy is so busy that things happen about quarterly schedule turn around.

 

[Coastercraze]

Go to your SOS's website if in the US and do it yourself for whatever the fee is. Make sure to pick the right one.

 

[GreenHostBox]

Ah very interesting. Looks like most people are doing it manially. Who did you guys pick as your agent?

 

[gonggo]

We went to a local lawyer/notary, here in Indonesia, and got Deed of Establishment, Business Registration, Business License and Tax ID.

 

[notFound]

We went though CompaniesMadesSimple as it seemed like a good option, but honestly it was a bit of a waste of money. Everything is easily done at Companies House (UK), so we're direct, it's better.

 

[ipxadam]

We went with simplefilings.com and in hindsight probably could have just done it myself for cheaper.

 

[drmike]

It's nice to see jurisdications with free services.. I wish  

Also nice to see DIY filing options.  US filings can be done like that, but no one seems to.

 

[GreenHostBox]

I'm thinking of registering our business as a LLC soon using the service at http://www.myllc.com/default.aspx

 

[DomainBop]

If you call your state office, they will help you with any questions that you have

...unless your state happens to be NY --> "The staff of the Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial cannot provide legal advice or assist with the completion of forms. It is recommended that all forms be prepared under the guidance of an attorney. Please do not call the Division to verify receipt of your filing or other service request."

We went though CompaniesMadesSimple as it seemed like a good option, but honestly it was a bit of a waste of money. Everything is easily done at Companies House (UK), so we're direct, it's better.

I think 99% (an exaggeration) of UK companies (including mine) have a 145-157 John St. address.

Dealing with Companies House (where almost everything can be done electronically and is processed within 24 hours) is a pleasure compared to dealing with New York State where many forms still need to be faxed or snail mailed and it can take 4-5 weeks for them to process something simple like an address change (and if there is an error in the paperwork they snail mail you a rejection letter and you start the process over...).

have an EIN and even pay state taxes as well.

Getting an EIN should be the 1st step after a business is registered.  Step two is getting a DUNS number.

 

[Sam]

I registered holderhost as an LLC on the New Zealand business/ companies office website. I took a trip to the companies office and handed in some verification documents (which I could have done via email) and everything was sorted. New Zealand has a nice streamlined process for registering a company. It could easily take as little as a week and a half.

 

[Onra Host]

We are a LLC . We went ahead and filed all the paperwork ourselves. It is actually quite easy in FL, and have already done it for other business of mine, so it made it even easier

I have had friends use LegalZoom and have to pay $$$ for something that is basically free, granted you spend a few hours getting everything sent in.