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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Indiana, you file Articles of Organization, State Form 49459,

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<v Dan>with the Indiana Secretary of State through INBiz, and pay $95 online.

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<v Maya>Is that the final amount?

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<v Dan>Almost. INBiz adds a small card processing fee on top.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Indiana 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>Where do we start?

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<v Dan>Your name has to include limited liability company, or an abbreviation like LLC.

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<v Dan>And it has to be distinguishable from other businesses on record.

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<v Maya>Does adding LLC to a name that's taken make it different?

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<v Dan>No. Adding LLC, or the word "the," doesn't make a name different.

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<v Maya>Where do I search?

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

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<v Maya>And holding a name for later?

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<v Dan>You can reserve one on INBiz for $10.

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

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<v Dan>A person or a business, with an Indiana street address.

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

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<v Dan>Not accepted.

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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>And privacy?

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<v Dan>A commercial agent is listed by name only.

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<v Dan>A noncommercial agent's address goes on the public record.

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

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<v Dan>Changing agents later has no filing fee.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>On INBiz, the state's online filing system.

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<v Dan>You sign in with an Access Indiana account.

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<v Dan>It's $95.

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<v Maya>And on paper?

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<v Dan>$100, on State Form 49459.

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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 form asks for: the name, a principal office,

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<v Dan>your registered agent, and how the LLC is managed.

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<v Maya>What if I work from home?

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<v Dan>Since January 2026, you can check a box to keep your home address off the record.

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<v Maya>And that card fee?

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<v Dan>At least $1, and up to 2.15%.

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<v Maya>Does the state collect it?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>What if I skip it?

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<v Dan>Without one, Indiana's default LLC rules decide things like how profits are split.

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<v Maya>So writing one gives me control.

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<v Dan>It does. Put in who owns what, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member

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<v Dan>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 approves your

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<v Dan>Articles.

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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>And a 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 do I file after I'm formed?

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<v Dan>A Business Entity Report, every two years.

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<v Maya>When does the first one come?

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<v Dan>Two years after you form. It's due by the end of your anniversary month.

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<v Maya>What does it cost?

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<v Dan>$32 online, or $50 on paper.

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<v Maya>How do I remember a two-year deadline?

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<v Dan>The state sends email reminders, 90 days and 30 days 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 LLC that doesn't file can be administratively dissolved,

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<v Dan>and then it can't do business in Indiana until it's reinstated.

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

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<v Dan>$95 to form online. Then $32 every two years for the Business Entity Report.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $10. Changing your agent has no filing fee.

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<v Maya>So what's day one?

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<v Dan>$95, plus the INBiz processing fee.

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<v Dan>The first $32 report comes two years later.

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<v Maya>Compare paper and online for me.

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<v Dan>For the Articles, it's $95 online and $100 on paper.

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<v Maya>And the report?

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<v Dan>$32 online, $50 on paper.

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<v Maya>So online wins twice.

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<v Dan>It does, by $5 on the Articles and $18 on the report.

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<v Dan>The card processing fee on INBiz is small by comparison.

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<v Maya>Let me go back to the home-address checkbox.

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<v Maya>Who's it for?

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<v Dan>Someone who works from home. Since January 2026, you can check a box and keep your

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<v Dan>home address off the record.

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<v Maya>Where is that box?

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<v Dan>On the Articles of Organization form.

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<v Maya>Does it replace the registered agent address?

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<v Dan>No, those are separate. The agent still needs an Indiana street address, and a

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<v Dan>commercial agent is listed by name only.

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<v Maya>So two different privacy tools.

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<v Dan>Right. One for your office, one for your agent.

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

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<v Dan>A person or business, at an Indiana street address.

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<v Maya>Could the LLC serve itself?

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<v Dan>No.

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<v Maya>And the public record?

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<v Dan>A noncommercial agent's address goes on it.

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<v Dan>A commercial agent is listed by name only.

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<v Maya>Does switching agents cost money?

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<v Dan>No filing fee.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the report. You said there's no late fee.

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<v Dan>Right, and that can feel relaxed.

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<v Maya>What's the catch?

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<v Dan>An LLC that doesn't file can be administratively dissolved.

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<v Maya>What does that do?

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<v Dan>It can't do business in Indiana until it's reinstated.

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

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<v Dan>Yes. The $32 report on time is the simple path, and the reminders help.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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

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<v Dan>File State Form 49459 on INBiz for $95.

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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 $32 Business Entity Report, by the end of your anniversary month, starting two

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<v Dan>years after 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 Indiana.

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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 $95 state fee, checkout comes to $294.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles 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 report?

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<v Dan>In Indiana, Mainstay prepares and files your Business Entity Report every time it

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<v Dan>comes due. You pay only the $32 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>IN Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus

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<v Dan>the state fee, also $294 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>Indiana 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 year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>Since Indiana's report only comes every two years, numbers two and three cost less

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<v Dan>from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone, if you'll file the report

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<v Dan>yourself. The $32 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 two years,

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<v Dan>for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and in Indiana, that gap pays for having your report filed every time it comes

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<v Dan>due.

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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 an Indiana street address,

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<v Dan>file Form 49459 on INBiz for $95, write an

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<v Dan>operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $32 Business Entity

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<v Dan>Report every two years.

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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>Indiana LLC.