[0:00] The short answer Dan: To start an LLC in Idaho, you file a Certificate of Organization online with the Idaho Secretary of State through SOSBiz, and pay $100, or $103.50 with the online card fee. Maya: So the card fee is separate? Dan: It's an online fee that brings the $100 up to $103.50. Maya: This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Idaho for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best ways to have it filed for you. What's step one? [0:33] Step 1: Choose a name Dan: Your name has to include limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC or LC. And it has to be distinguishable from names on record. Maya: Where do I check? Dan: The Secretary of State's free business search. Maya: Can I hold a name? Dan: Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days and costs $20. [0:58] Step 2: Name a registered agent Maya: Who can be my registered agent in Idaho? Dan: An Idaho resident, or a business registered with the state. Either way, it needs a physical address in Idaho. Maya: What about a P.O. box? Dan: Not accepted, and neither are commercial mail boxes. Maya: Can I be my own agent? Dan: Yes, if you have a physical address in Idaho. But it goes on the public record. Maya: That's the privacy question. Dan: Right, and it's why many owners use a commercial agent. Changing agents online is free. [1:30] Step 3: File the Certificate of Organization Maya: Where do I file? Dan: Through SOSBiz, the Secretary of State's online system. It's $100. Maya: And on paper? Dan: Paper adds a $20 manual processing fee. Maya: I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. Dan: Good to meet you, Maya. Now, what the Certificate asks for: the name, a principal office, the registered agent, and at least one governor. Maya: Governor? Not member? Dan: A governor is a member or a manager. Maya: How long until it's approved? Dan: Filings currently take about 7 to 10 days. Maya: Can I speed that up? Dan: Expedite is $40, or $100 for same day. [2:11] Step 4: Write an operating agreement Maya: Does Idaho collect operating agreements? Dan: No. It won't accept them for filing, and there's no state fee. Keep it with your records. Maya: What goes in it? Dan: Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves. Maya: And I should write it down? Dan: Yes. Put it in writing. [2:31] Step 5: Get a free EIN Maya: What about the federal side? Dan: Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Certificate. Maya: How long does it take? Dan: If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready. Maya: Any beneficial ownership report? Dan: You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. companies. [3:01] Step 6: File the annual report Maya: What's due each year? Dan: An annual report, by the end of your anniversary month, starting the year after you form. Maya: What does it cost? Dan: Nothing. There's no fee, and most reports are filed online in SOSBiz. Maya: A free annual report? Dan: Free. And reminders go to the mailing address on file. Maya: What if I miss it? Dan: The Secretary of State sends a notice. You get 60 days, and then the LLC is administratively dissolved. Maya: Can I come back from that? Dan: Yes. You can reinstate within ten years for $30. [3:36] What it costs Maya: Give me the do-it-yourself number. Dan: $100 to form online, plus the small card fee. That makes $103.50. Maya: And each year after? Dan: The annual report is free. Maya: And the EIN? Dan: Also free. Maya: What are the optional extras? Dan: A name reservation at $20, and expedite at $40 or $100 for same day. Changing your agent online costs nothing. [4:05] Paper or online Maya: Let me compare the two routes. What does online cost? Dan: $100, or $103.50 with the card fee. Maya: And paper? Dan: $120. That's the $100 plus the $20 manual processing fee. Maya: So online saves money. Dan: Even with the card fee, it's cheaper. The $103.50 total is below the $120 on paper. [4:33] Speed and expedite Maya: Let me go through the timing. What's the normal wait? Dan: About 7 to 10 days from filing, for now. Maya: And the expedited wait? Dan: About 8 business hours, for $40. Maya: And same day? Dan: $100. Maya: So the money buys time. Dan: It does. If you're in no rush, you pay nothing extra. [4:54] Picking your registered agent Maya: Walk me through the agent rules once more. Dan: An Idaho resident or a registered business, at a physical Idaho address. Maya: Can I use a friend's P.O. box? Dan: No. P.O. boxes and commercial mail boxes aren't accepted. Maya: And if I serve as my own agent? Dan: It works, with a physical address in Idaho. But that address is public record. Maya: Does switching agents cost anything? Dan: Not online. It's free. [5:20] If a report is missed Maya: Let me press on the annual report. It's free, so is there any risk? Dan: Yes, the risk is forgetting it. Maya: What happens? Dan: You get a notice. Sixty days later, if it's still not filed, the LLC is administratively dissolved. Maya: And the fix? Dan: Reinstatement within ten years, for $30. Maya: So free, but not optional. Dan: Right. Reminders go to your mailing address on file, so keep it current. [5:47] First-year checklist Maya: Give me the order of operations. Dan: Search the name. Choose your agent. File the Certificate of Organization on SOSBiz for $100. Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement. Maya: And the calendar? Dan: A free annual report by the end of your anniversary month, starting the year after you form. [6:07] The 3 best ways to file in Idaho Maya: What if I'd rather have someone else file? Dan: Here are the three best ways to file in Idaho. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $103.50 state fee, checkout comes to $302.50. Maya: What does that include? Dan: Your Certificate filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199. Maya: And the annual report? Dan: In Idaho, Mainstay files it by the end of your anniversary month every year, so it's never missed. There's no state fee. Maya: Number two? Dan: ID Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for $199 plus the state fee, also $302.50 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year. Maya: And number three? Dan: Idaho Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year. Maya: How do I choose? Dan: Idaho's annual report is free. So if you'll file it yourself each year, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. [7:30] Three years of service fees Maya: Give me the three-year view. Dan: Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397. Maya: A $200 gap. Dan: Yes, and in Idaho, that gap pays for having your annual report filed on time. [7:55] Recap Maya: Can I hear it one more time? Dan: Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a physical Idaho address, file the Certificate of Organization online for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your free annual report every year. Maya: The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Idaho LLC.