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

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<v Dan>Idaho Secretary of State through SOSBiz, and pay $100, or

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<v Dan>$103.50 with the online card fee.

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<v Maya>So the card fee is separate?

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<v Dan>It's an online fee that brings the $100 up to $103.50.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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

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<v Maya>to have it filed for you. What's step one?

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<v Dan>Your name has to include limited liability company, limited company, or an

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<v Dan>abbreviation like LLC or LC. And it has to be distinguishable from names on

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<v Dan>record.

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<v Maya>Where do I check?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State's free business search.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name?

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<v Dan>Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days and costs $20.

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

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<v Dan>An Idaho resident, or a business registered with the state.

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<v Dan>Either way, it needs a physical address in Idaho.

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<v Maya>What about a P.O. box?

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<v Dan>Not accepted, and neither are commercial mail boxes.

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<v Maya>Can I be my own agent?

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<v Dan>Yes, if you have a physical address in Idaho.

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<v Dan>But it goes on the public record.

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<v Maya>That's the privacy question.

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<v Dan>Right, and it's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents online is free.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>Through SOSBiz, the Secretary of State's online system.

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<v Dan>It's $100.

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<v Maya>And on paper?

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<v Dan>Paper adds a $20 manual processing fee.

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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. Now, what the Certificate asks for: the name, a principal

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<v Dan>office, the registered agent, and at least one governor.

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<v Maya>Governor? Not member?

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<v Dan>A governor is a member or a manager.

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<v Maya>How long until it's approved?

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<v Dan>Filings currently take about 7 to 10 days.

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<v Maya>Can I speed that up?

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<v Dan>Expedite is $40, or $100 for same day.

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<v Maya>Does Idaho collect operating agreements?

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<v Dan>No. It won't accept them for filing, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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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>And I should write it down?

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<v Dan>Yes. Put it in writing.

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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

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<v Dan>state files your 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>You can skip it. 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, by the end of your anniversary month, starting the year after you

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<v Dan>form.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>Nothing. There's no fee, and most reports are filed online in SOSBiz.

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<v Maya>A free annual report?

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<v Dan>Free. And reminders go to the mailing address on file.

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<v Maya>What if I miss it?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State sends a notice.

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<v Dan>You get 60 days, and then the LLC is administratively dissolved.

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<v Maya>Can I come back from that?

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<v Dan>Yes. You can reinstate within ten years for $30.

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

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<v Dan>$100 to form online, plus the small card fee.

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<v Dan>That makes $103.50.

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<v Maya>And each year after?

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<v Dan>The annual report is free.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Also free.

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<v Maya>What are the optional extras?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $20, and expedite at $40 or $100 for same

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<v Dan>day. Changing your agent online costs nothing.

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<v Maya>Let me compare the two routes.

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<v Maya>What does online cost?

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<v Dan>$100, or $103.50 with the card fee.

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<v Maya>And paper?

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<v Dan>$120. That's the $100 plus the $20 manual processing fee.

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<v Maya>So online saves money.

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<v Dan>Even with the card fee, it's cheaper.

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<v Dan>The $103.50 total is below the $120 on paper.

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<v Maya>Let me go through the timing. What's the normal wait?

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<v Dan>About 7 to 10 days from filing, for now.

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<v Maya>And the expedited wait?

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<v Dan>About 8 business hours, for $40.

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<v Maya>And same day?

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<v Dan>$100.

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<v Maya>So the money buys time.

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<v Dan>It does. If you're in no rush, you pay nothing extra.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the agent rules once more.

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<v Dan>An Idaho resident or a registered business, at a physical Idaho address.

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<v Maya>Can I use a friend's P.O. box?

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<v Dan>No. P.O. boxes and commercial mail boxes aren't accepted.

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<v Maya>And if I serve as my own agent?

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<v Dan>It works, with a physical address in Idaho.

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<v Dan>But that address is public record.

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<v Maya>Does switching agents cost anything?

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<v Dan>Not online. It's free.

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

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<v Maya>It's free, so is there any risk?

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<v Dan>Yes, the risk is forgetting it.

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<v Maya>What happens?

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<v Dan>You get a notice. Sixty days later, if it's still not filed, the LLC is

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<v Dan>administratively dissolved.

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<v Maya>And the fix?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement within ten years, for $30.

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<v Maya>So free, but not optional.

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<v Dan>Right. Reminders go to your mailing address on file, so keep it current.

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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 SOSBiz for $100.

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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>A free annual report by the end of your anniversary month, starting the year after

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<v Dan>you 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 Idaho.

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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 $103.50 state fee, checkout comes to $302.50.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Certificate filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>In Idaho, Mainstay files it by the end of your anniversary month every year, so it's

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<v Dan>never missed. There's no state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>ID Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $302.50 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>Idaho Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Idaho's annual report is free.

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<v Dan>So if you'll file it yourself each year, 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 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 two years, for

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<v Dan>$397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and in Idaho, 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 at a physical Idaho address,

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<v Dan>file the Certificate of Organization online for $100, write an operating agreement,

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<v Dan>get your free EIN, and file your free annual report 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>Idaho LLC.