WEBVTT 00:00:00.226 --> 00:00:04.466 To start an LLC in New Jersey, you file a Certificate of Formation with the state's 00:00:04.510 --> 00:00:09.506 Division of Revenue, through its online Business Formation service, and pay the $100 00:00:09.563 --> 00:00:10.225 filing fee. 00:00:10.546 --> 00:00:13.905 A hundred dollars. I thought it was higher than that. 00:00:13.905 --> 00:00:20.146 It used to be. The fee dropped from $125 on July 1, 2026. 00:00:20.146 --> 00:00:22.386 This is The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:22.466 --> 00:00:27.906 Today, New Jersey for 2026, in six steps, with the full cost picture and the three 00:00:27.970 --> 00:00:29.746 best ways to have it filed for you. 00:00:29.842 --> 00:00:30.786 What's first? 00:00:31.574 --> 00:00:36.454 New Jersey wants limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C. 00:00:36.481 --> 00:00:40.214 in the name, and the name has to be distinguishable in the state's records. 00:00:40.214 --> 00:00:41.014 Where do I look? 00:00:41.014 --> 00:00:44.534 The Business Name Search on the state's portal is free. 00:00:44.534 --> 00:00:45.654 Can I lock a name in? 00:00:45.654 --> 00:00:50.774 A reservation lasts 120 days and costs $50. 00:00:53.272 --> 00:00:54.872 Who can be my registered agent? 00:00:54.872 --> 00:00:59.512 A New Jersey resident, or a business in good standing with the state, at a New 00:00:59.558 --> 00:01:02.792 Jersey street address. You list them on the Certificate. 00:01:02.792 --> 00:01:04.152 What about a P.O. box? 00:01:04.152 --> 00:01:08.872 A P.O. box only works alongside a street address, not instead of one. 00:01:09.452 --> 00:01:11.112 And the details are public? 00:01:11.112 --> 00:01:13.752 The agent's name and address are, yes. 00:01:13.864 --> 00:01:16.712 That's why many owners use a commercial agent. 00:01:16.872 --> 00:01:20.472 If you change agents later, it costs $25. 00:01:21.752 --> 00:01:23.112 How does the filing work? 00:01:23.112 --> 00:01:26.872 Use the Division of Revenue's online Business Formation service. 00:01:26.936 --> 00:01:31.592 Have your business name, the registered agent's details and email, and a credit card 00:01:31.645 --> 00:01:34.552 or an eCheck ready, then pay the $100. 00:01:34.552 --> 00:01:37.031 Is there anything after that? 00:01:37.031 --> 00:01:42.392 One more thing. Within 60 days, you file the tax and employer registration, 00:01:42.472 --> 00:01:45.032 Form NJ-REG. It's free. 00:01:45.032 --> 00:01:47.592 I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. 00:01:47.592 --> 00:01:52.712 Good to have you, Maya. And if you want to move faster on paper, expedited filings 00:01:52.772 --> 00:01:57.913 are $25 for 8.5 business hours, or $50 for same day. 00:01:57.913 --> 00:02:00.153 Why is there a second form? 00:02:00.153 --> 00:02:05.113 It registers your new company with the state for taxes and for employees. 00:02:05.153 --> 00:02:07.593 The formation filing alone doesn't do that. 00:02:08.733 --> 00:02:11.133 Is the operating agreement filed with the state? 00:02:11.133 --> 00:02:14.013 No. You keep it, and there's no state fee. 00:02:14.013 --> 00:02:15.933 Does it have to be written? 00:02:15.933 --> 00:02:19.533 New Jersey law counts oral agreements and even implied ones. 00:02:19.693 --> 00:02:24.573 So please write yours down. Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes 00:02:24.637 --> 00:02:27.213 decisions, and what happens if a member leaves. 00:02:27.977 --> 00:02:29.577 Then the federal side. 00:02:29.577 --> 00:02:34.617 Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your 00:02:34.670 --> 00:02:35.737 Certificate. 00:02:35.737 --> 00:02:36.777 Instant? 00:02:36.777 --> 00:02:40.537 If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. 00:02:40.617 --> 00:02:45.417 Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the responsible person on hand. 00:02:45.417 --> 00:02:47.816 Do I owe a beneficial ownership report? 00:02:47.816 --> 00:02:50.897 No. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S. 00:02:50.925 --> 00:02:51.497 companies. 00:02:52.261 --> 00:02:53.221 What's recurring? 00:02:53.221 --> 00:02:57.781 An annual report, filed online every year by the end of the month your LLC was 00:02:57.850 --> 00:03:00.900 formed. The fee is $75. 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:03.422 Seventy-five is a lot more than some states. 00:03:03.422 --> 00:03:08.342 It is. It's the main ongoing cost here, so build it into your budget. 00:03:08.342 --> 00:03:09.462 What if I miss it? 00:03:09.462 --> 00:03:14.022 Miss it two years in a row, and the state can void the LLC's charter. 00:03:14.182 --> 00:03:16.982 Its name also opens up to others. 00:03:16.982 --> 00:03:18.342 Can that be undone? 00:03:18.342 --> 00:03:23.142 Reinstating costs $75, plus every report you missed. 00:03:23.868 --> 00:03:25.148 Do-it-yourself total? 00:03:25.148 --> 00:03:29.948 $100 to form. Then $75 a year for the annual report. 00:03:30.188 --> 00:03:34.028 Form NJ-REG and the EIN are free. 00:03:34.028 --> 00:03:36.988 How would that look over the first two years? 00:03:36.988 --> 00:03:43.868 $100 plus $75 is $175 in state fees, assuming your 00:03:43.935 --> 00:03:46.508 first annual report falls in the following year. 00:03:46.508 --> 00:03:48.828 And the optional extras? 00:03:48.828 --> 00:03:53.788 A name reservation is $50. Same-day paper filing is $50. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:55.148 Each is optional. 00:03:56.374 --> 00:03:57.814 Which step do people forget? 00:03:57.814 --> 00:04:03.094 Form NJ-REG. The formation filing feels like the finish line, but the 60-day clock 00:04:03.151 --> 00:04:04.213 starts at formation. 00:04:04.886 --> 00:04:06.054 What do I need to fill it out? 00:04:06.054 --> 00:04:09.974 The details of your LLC. And remember, it's free. 00:04:10.054 --> 00:04:11.654 So there's no reason to delay it. 00:04:11.654 --> 00:04:13.414 Anything else on the calendar? 00:04:13.414 --> 00:04:17.414 The annual report, which is due by the end of your formation month. 00:04:17.494 --> 00:04:19.734 Put that date in your phone the day you form. 00:04:20.784 --> 00:04:23.824 Let's go back to the fee. What changed on July 1? 00:04:23.824 --> 00:04:30.224 The certificate fee went from $125 to $100 for a for-profit LLC. 00:04:30.352 --> 00:04:33.424 That's $25 less than it was. 00:04:33.424 --> 00:04:35.824 Does it matter if I file now? 00:04:35.824 --> 00:04:40.304 Not at all. If you file today, you pay $100. 00:04:40.404 --> 00:04:43.264 The old number only matters if you're reading an older guide. 00:04:44.037 --> 00:04:47.984 Is that a thing? Old guides saying $125? 00:04:47.984 --> 00:04:53.744 Quite a few do. If a page says $125, it's out of date for 00:04:53.824 --> 00:04:55.344 2026. 00:04:55.344 --> 00:04:58.144 Good to know. And the annual report? 00:04:58.144 --> 00:05:01.984 That's $75 on the state's current fee page. 00:05:03.208 --> 00:05:05.288 Should I file online or on paper? 00:05:05.288 --> 00:05:10.408 Online, for most people. You pay by card or eCheck inside the Business Formation 00:05:10.468 --> 00:05:12.808 service, and you don't have to mail anything. 00:05:12.808 --> 00:05:15.288 When would paper make sense? 00:05:15.288 --> 00:05:18.408 When you want an expedited paper filing. 00:05:18.568 --> 00:05:24.408 It's $25 for 8.5 business hours, or $50 for same day. 00:05:24.408 --> 00:05:26.569 So paper is the fast lane here. 00:05:26.569 --> 00:05:32.489 For expedited requests, yes. If you aren't in a hurry, use the online service. 00:05:34.149 --> 00:05:37.909 Back to the annual report. What happens in year one if I forget? 00:05:37.909 --> 00:05:39.829 One missed report isn't the cliff. 00:05:39.989 --> 00:05:46.229 Two in a row is. After two consecutive missed years, the state can void the charter, 00:05:46.269 --> 00:05:48.389 and your name opens up to others. 00:05:48.389 --> 00:05:49.748 And reinstating? 00:05:49.748 --> 00:05:53.429 $75, plus every report you missed. 00:05:53.562 --> 00:06:00.469 So after two missed years, you'd owe $75 plus two reports at $75 each, 00:06:00.509 --> 00:06:02.788 which is $225. 00:06:02.788 --> 00:06:04.548 Versus filing on time? 00:06:04.548 --> 00:06:10.949 Two on-time reports are $150. Late is more expensive, and you risk the name. 00:06:11.677 --> 00:06:13.597 If I don't want to handle this myself? 00:06:13.597 --> 00:06:16.157 Here are the three best ways to file in New Jersey. 00:06:16.328 --> 00:06:23.197 Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the 00:06:23.250 --> 00:06:29.037 state fee. With the $100 state fee, checkout comes to $299. 00:06:29.037 --> 00:06:30.877 What's in that price? 00:06:30.877 --> 00:06:37.677 Your Certificate filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. 00:06:37.837 --> 00:06:41.037 It renews at the same $199. 00:06:41.037 --> 00:06:42.717 And the annual report? 00:06:42.717 --> 00:06:46.637 In New Jersey, it's prepared and filed on time every year. 00:06:46.797 --> 00:06:49.757 You pay only the $75 state fee. 00:06:49.757 --> 00:06:51.197 Number two? 00:06:51.197 --> 00:06:56.637 Registered Agent NJ.org. It prepares and files your Certificate for 00:06:56.697 --> 00:07:03.197 $199 plus the state fee. Your first year of agent service is free, then it's 00:07:03.243 --> 00:07:04.557 $99 a year. 00:07:04.557 --> 00:07:05.917 And three? 00:07:05.917 --> 00:07:09.037 New Jersey Registered Agent.co. 00:07:09.277 --> 00:07:16.157 It has the same offer: $199 plus the state fee, a free first year of agent 00:07:16.227 --> 00:07:18.717 service, then $99 a year. 00:07:18.717 --> 00:07:20.477 How should I choose? 00:07:20.477 --> 00:07:26.157 If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year 00:07:26.257 --> 00:07:29.877 two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. 00:07:29.967 --> 00:07:33.197 The $75 state fee is the same either way. 00:07:33.410 --> 00:07:37.597 If you want it all handled at one steady price, that's Mainstay. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:42.259 Three-year number? 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:47.779 Mainstay is $199 a year, which is $597. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:54.819 The other two are $199 in year one, then $99 and $99, for 00:07:54.859 --> 00:07:56.739 $397. 00:07:56.739 --> 00:07:58.419 Two hundred dollars apart. 00:07:58.419 --> 00:08:04.019 Yes. In New Jersey, that gap is what pays for your annual report being taken care 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:04.399 of. 00:08:05.080 --> 00:08:06.920 From the top, one more time. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:12.120 Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a New Jersey street 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:17.640 address, file the Certificate of Formation for $100, register with 00:08:17.736 --> 00:08:24.520 Form NJ-REG, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:28.040 file your $75 annual report every year. 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:33.080 The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. 00:08:33.137 --> 00:08:37.000 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new 00:08:37.060 --> 00:08:38.600 New Jersey LLC.