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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Connecticut, you file a Certificate of Organization online with

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<v Dan>the Connecticut Secretary of the State at Business.CT.gov, and pay $120.

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<v Maya>Does that $120 include anything else?

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<v Dan>Yes. It includes appointing your registered agent.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Connecticut for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>What's the first thing to do?

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<v Dan>Include limited liability company, L.L.C., or LLC.

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<v Dan>The name also has to be distinguishable from names on record.

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<v Maya>Does adding LLC or Inc. make my name different?

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<v Dan>No. Adding LLC or Inc. doesn't make a name different.

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<v Maya>How do I check mine?

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<v Dan>The state has a free business name checker.

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<v Dan>And you can reserve a name for 120 days for $60.

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<v Maya>Who can be my registered agent in Connecticut?

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<v Dan>A Connecticut resident, or a business authorized in Connecticut.

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<v Dan>The agent signs to accept the appointment.

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<v Maya>Can my LLC be its own agent?

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<v Dan>No, it can't.

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<v Maya>What about privacy?

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<v Dan>An individual agent has to give a Connecticut home address, and it's public.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later costs $50.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>On Business.CT.gov. It's $120, and it's the same price on paper.

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<v Maya>What does it ask for?

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<v Dan>The name, a principal office, at least one member or manager, an email address, and

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<v Dan>a six-digit NAICS code.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. One more thing on speed: most online filings are accepted

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<v Dan>automatically.

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<v Maya>So I won't need to rush it?

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<v Dan>There's a $50 online expedite, but it's rarely needed.

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<v Maya>Does the Secretary of the State collect it?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>You keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>And if mine is just a handshake?

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<v Dan>Connecticut law counts even an oral or implied agreement.

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<v Dan>So put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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<v Dan>Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your

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<v Dan>Certificate.

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<v Maya>How long does it take?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>Any beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>No. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What's due each year?

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<v Dan>An annual report, filed online, for $80.

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<v Maya>When?

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<v Dan>Between January 1 and March 31, starting the year after you form.

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<v Maya>Is the date fixed, not tied to my formation month?

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<v Dan>It's the same window for everyone.

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<v Dan>And the state emails a reminder about a month ahead.

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<v Maya>What if I'm late?

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<v Dan>There's no late fee. But an overdue LLC can't get a Certificate of Legal Existence.

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<v Maya>And if it drags on?

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<v Dan>More than a year behind, and the state can dissolve it by forfeiture.

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<v Dan>Reinstating costs $120.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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<v Dan>$120 to form. Then $80 a year for the annual report.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>First year, then?

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<v Dan>$120 to form, and the first $80 report comes the year after.

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<v Dan>A name reservation would add $60.

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<v Maya>Let me compare two choices. What's the cost of filing on time?

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<v Dan>$80 for the annual report.

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<v Maya>And the cost of letting it go more than a year?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement is $120.

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<v Maya>So the report is the better deal.

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<v Dan>By a lot. And a report filed on time keeps you out of forfeiture altogether.

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<v Maya>Could I be my own agent?

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<v Dan>If you're a Connecticut resident, yes.

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<v Dan>But you give your Connecticut home address, and it's public.

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<v Maya>Could my LLC do it?

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<v Dan>No. The LLC can't be its own agent.

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<v Maya>And a business?

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<v Dan>A business authorized in Connecticut can do it.

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<v Dan>That's the commercial agent route.

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<v Maya>Does changing agents cost anything?

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<v Dan>$50.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the annual report.

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<v Maya>You said no late fee.

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<v Dan>Right. There's no late fee on the report itself.

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<v Maya>So what's the catch?

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<v Dan>An overdue LLC can't get a Certificate of Legal Existence.

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<v Maya>So no fee, but a real consequence.

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<v Dan>Right. The state won't issue that certificate while you're overdue, and more than a

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<v Dan>year of that can lead to dissolution by forfeiture.

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<v Maya>And the way back?

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<v Dan>Reinstating costs $120.

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<v Maya>So the $80 report on time is the simplest path.

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<v Dan>It is, and the state emails a reminder about a month ahead.

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<v Maya>Let me go through the Certificate item by item.

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<v Maya>What do I need ready?

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<v Dan>The LLC's name, and a principal office.

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<v Maya>Then?

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<v Dan>At least one member or manager, plus an email address.

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<v Maya>And the odd one?

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<v Dan>A six-digit NAICS code. It describes the business.

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<v Maya>Does the registered agent appear on it?

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<v Dan>Yes. The $120 fee includes appointing the registered agent.

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<v Maya>And the agent's part?

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<v Dan>The agent signs to accept the appointment.

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<v Maya>When would I reserve a name?

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<v Dan>If you're not ready to file yet.

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<v Dan>It holds the name for 120 days.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>$60.

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<v Maya>Is it required?

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<v Dan>No. You can search the free business name checker and just file.

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<v Maya>Remember, adding LLC or Inc. doesn't make a name different.

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<v Dan>That's the one to watch when you search.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent.

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<v Dan>File the Certificate of Organization on Business.CT.gov for $120.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $80 annual report, between January 1 and March 31, starting the year after you

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<v Dan>form.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else file?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Connecticut.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee.

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<v Dan>With the $120 state fee, checkout comes to $319.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate of Organization filed, your EIN application, and your registered

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<v Dan>agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>In Connecticut, Mainstay files it by March 31 every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $80 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>CT Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the

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<v Dan>state fee, also $319 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Connecticut Registered Agent.co.

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<v Dan>Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then

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<v Dan>$99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $80 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next

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<v Dan>two years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and in Connecticut, that gap pays for having your annual report filed on time.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent, file the Certificate of

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<v Dan>Organization online for $120, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and

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<v Dan>file your $80 annual report by March 31 every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Connecticut LLC.