WEBVTT 00:00:00.227 --> 00:00:06.387 To start an LLC in North Carolina, you file Articles of Organization, Form L-01, 00:00:06.403 --> 00:00:11.747 with the North Carolina Secretary of State and pay the $125 filing fee. 00:00:12.447 --> 00:00:14.946 And that's the whole upfront cost? 00:00:14.946 --> 00:00:21.267 Of the state's part, yes. Online by card, a $3 fee brings it to $128. 00:00:21.467 --> 00:00:29.027 The bigger number comes later, because the annual report in North Carolina is $200. 00:00:29.027 --> 00:00:31.707 This is The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:31.754 --> 00:00:37.107 Today, North Carolina for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three 00:00:37.171 --> 00:00:39.027 best ways to have it filed for you. 00:00:39.207 --> 00:00:40.627 Let's start with the name. 00:00:41.421 --> 00:00:48.221 In North Carolina, your LLC's name must include limited liability company, LLC, or 00:00:48.461 --> 00:00:53.901 L.L.C. It also has to be distinguishable from names already on the Secretary of 00:00:53.954 --> 00:00:54.861 State's records. 00:00:54.861 --> 00:00:57.261 How do I check what's taken? 00:00:57.261 --> 00:01:00.621 The Secretary of State's business registry is free to search. 00:01:00.808 --> 00:01:07.581 If you find a name and want to hold it, a reservation is $10 and lasts 120 days. 00:01:07.581 --> 00:01:10.861 Ten dollars is a small price for 120 days. 00:01:10.861 --> 00:01:15.901 It is. The reservation only makes sense, though, if you're not ready to file yet. 00:01:15.901 --> 00:01:18.621 What if my first choice is taken? 00:01:18.621 --> 00:01:22.141 Then adjust it until it's distinguishable on the records. 00:01:22.381 --> 00:01:25.261 A different word or a different order often does it. 00:01:27.129 --> 00:01:28.409 Who can be my agent? 00:01:28.409 --> 00:01:33.609 A North Carolina resident, or a business authorized there, with a business office at 00:01:33.629 --> 00:01:35.689 the registered office's street address. 00:01:35.969 --> 00:01:39.449 The agent also has to agree to act. 00:01:39.449 --> 00:01:40.489 Can I do it myself? 00:01:40.489 --> 00:01:44.649 If you live in North Carolina, yes, you can be your own agent. 00:01:44.769 --> 00:01:46.569 The LLC itself can't. 00:01:47.321 --> 00:01:49.209 That's more relaxed than some states. 00:01:49.209 --> 00:01:54.649 A little. But the agent's name and address are public, which is why many owners use 00:01:54.689 --> 00:01:57.049 a commercial agent instead of a home address. 00:01:57.049 --> 00:01:59.049 And changing agents? 00:01:59.049 --> 00:02:03.209 A statement of change of registered agent costs $5. 00:02:04.356 --> 00:02:05.796 Okay, the filing itself. 00:02:05.796 --> 00:02:11.476 You submit Form L-01 to the Secretary of State, online or by mail, and pay 00:02:11.536 --> 00:02:16.756 $125. Online by credit card, the $3 fee brings it to 00:02:16.816 --> 00:02:19.156 $128. 00:02:19.156 --> 00:02:20.596 What does the form ask for? 00:02:20.596 --> 00:02:25.956 The name, each person signing as a member or organizer, your registered agent with 00:02:25.996 --> 00:02:30.116 its street address and county, and a principal office if you have one. 00:02:30.116 --> 00:02:32.196 I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan. 00:02:32.196 --> 00:02:33.636 Good to have you, Maya. 00:02:33.636 --> 00:02:35.316 How long does North Carolina take? 00:02:35.316 --> 00:02:40.116 New entities take 5 to 10 business days, and online is faster. 00:02:40.116 --> 00:02:41.716 And if I want it sooner? 00:02:41.716 --> 00:02:47.636 You can pay $100 for 24-hour filing, or $200 for same day. 00:02:48.701 --> 00:02:50.461 Is the operating agreement filed? 00:02:50.461 --> 00:02:53.181 No. Keep it with your records. 00:02:53.234 --> 00:02:54.301 There's no state fee. 00:02:54.301 --> 00:02:56.381 Does the law make me write one? 00:02:56.381 --> 00:03:00.781 North Carolina counts written, oral, or implied agreements. 00:03:01.074 --> 00:03:06.221 So the law doesn't make you pick one form, but a written one is the safest. 00:03:06.221 --> 00:03:07.661 What do I put in it? 00:03:07.661 --> 00:03:12.541 Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a 00:03:12.587 --> 00:03:13.661 member leaves. 00:03:13.661 --> 00:03:15.101 Even with one member? 00:03:15.101 --> 00:03:18.541 Yes. It can be short, but it should exist. 00:03:19.901 --> 00:03:21.741 What about the federal tax ID? 00:03:21.741 --> 00:03:27.261 Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the Secretary of State files your 00:03:27.323 --> 00:03:28.061 Articles. 00:03:28.061 --> 00:03:29.261 Do I wait for it? 00:03:29.261 --> 00:03:33.181 If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away. 00:03:33.261 --> 00:03:37.741 Keep the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge handy. 00:03:37.741 --> 00:03:39.981 And the beneficial ownership report? 00:03:39.981 --> 00:03:42.101 You can skip it for a U.S. company. 00:03:42.171 --> 00:03:43.981 FinCEN dropped the requirement. 00:03:44.739 --> 00:03:46.019 Now the yearly part. 00:03:46.019 --> 00:03:52.179 An annual report, due April 15 every year, starting the year after you form. 00:03:52.359 --> 00:03:58.099 The fee is $200 on paper, or $203 online by card. 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:00.259 Two hundred dollars a year? 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:04.419 It is, and it's the number to budget for from day one. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:06.659 What if I miss April 15? 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:12.179 There's no late fee. But if it's 60 days overdue, the state can send a notice. 00:04:12.392 --> 00:04:16.739 An LLC that doesn't fix it within 60 more days is dissolved. 00:04:16.739 --> 00:04:18.819 And getting it back? 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:22.979 Reinstatement costs $100, plus the reports you missed. 00:04:22.979 --> 00:04:26.339 So skipping a year costs you more than the report. 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:33.219 Yes. Reinstating is $100, and you owe each report you missed on top of that. 00:04:34.295 --> 00:04:36.054 What's the state bill if I do it all? 00:04:36.054 --> 00:04:41.175 $125 to form, or $128 online by card. 00:04:41.351 --> 00:04:47.895 Then $200 a year for the annual report, or $203 online by card. 00:04:47.995 --> 00:04:50.135 The EIN is free. 00:04:50.135 --> 00:04:51.095 Anything optional? 00:04:51.095 --> 00:04:57.495 A name reservation at $10. Faster filing at $100 or $200. 00:04:57.735 --> 00:05:00.535 A change of agent at $5. 00:05:00.535 --> 00:05:02.615 Add those up for the fanciest first year. 00:05:02.615 --> 00:05:09.255 $125 plus the $10 reservation plus $200 for same-day filing is 00:05:09.295 --> 00:05:11.975 $335. 00:05:11.975 --> 00:05:14.056 So the standard path stays well under that. 00:05:14.056 --> 00:05:17.896 The standard path is $125. The rest is a choice. 00:05:21.015 --> 00:05:22.215 Order of operations? 00:05:22.215 --> 00:05:24.295 Check the name. Pick your agent. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:28.615 File Form L-01. Write the operating agreement. 00:05:28.735 --> 00:05:29.895 Get your EIN. 00:05:29.895 --> 00:05:31.095 And then? 00:05:31.095 --> 00:05:35.895 Mark April 15. The first report comes due the year after you form. 00:05:35.895 --> 00:05:37.255 Where do I file it? 00:05:37.255 --> 00:05:42.295 The Secretary of State lists the annual report due dates, and you can file online by 00:05:42.375 --> 00:05:43.574 card or on paper. 00:05:43.948 --> 00:05:47.895 So if I form in November, I wait until the next April? 00:05:47.895 --> 00:05:52.135 The report starts the year after the year of formation, so yes. 00:05:52.355 --> 00:05:55.975 Don't forget it, because there's no late fee to remind you. 00:05:56.775 --> 00:05:58.855 And if I'd rather not do this myself? 00:05:58.855 --> 00:06:02.135 Here are the three best ways to file in North Carolina. 00:06:02.261 --> 00:06:09.015 Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state 00:06:09.115 --> 00:06:16.055 fee. With the $128 state fee, checkout comes to $327. 00:06:16.055 --> 00:06:17.255 What do I get? 00:06:17.255 --> 00:06:23.975 Your Form L-01 filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every 00:06:24.039 --> 00:06:28.215 year. It renews at the same $199. 00:06:28.235 --> 00:06:33.735 And in North Carolina, it prepares and files your annual report by April 15. 00:06:33.735 --> 00:06:35.335 What do I pay for the report? 00:06:35.335 --> 00:06:37.975 Just the state's fee, at cost. 00:06:37.975 --> 00:06:39.015 Number two? 00:06:39.015 --> 00:06:44.695 NC Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for 00:06:44.755 --> 00:06:51.095 $199 plus the state fee, with a free first year of registered agent service, then 00:06:51.164 --> 00:06:52.696 $99 a year. 00:06:52.696 --> 00:06:53.976 And three? 00:06:53.976 --> 00:06:58.056 North Carolina Registered Agent.co. 00:06:58.152 --> 00:07:04.856 Same offer: $199 plus the state fee, a free first year of agent service, 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:06.857 then $99 a year. 00:07:06.857 --> 00:07:08.697 How do I decide? 00:07:08.697 --> 00:07:14.857 If you'll file your own annual report each April, two and three cost less from year 00:07:14.957 --> 00:07:18.137 two, at $99 for the agent alone. 00:07:18.244 --> 00:07:24.297 If you want the agent and the April 15 filing at one steady price, that's Mainstay. 00:07:24.397 --> 00:07:28.137 The state's fee for the report is the same with all three. 00:07:29.853 --> 00:07:31.453 Give me three-year numbers. 00:07:31.453 --> 00:07:36.893 Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. 00:07:36.933 --> 00:07:43.773 The other two are $199 in year one, then $99 and $99, 00:07:43.853 --> 00:07:46.013 for $397. 00:07:46.013 --> 00:07:47.213 Two hundred apart. 00:07:47.213 --> 00:07:52.573 Yes. And that gap buys you an April 15 report that's filed on time. 00:07:53.298 --> 00:07:55.218 Run the whole path one more time. 00:07:55.218 --> 00:08:00.818 Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a North Carolina street 00:08:00.868 --> 00:08:07.858 address, file Form L-01 for $125, write an operating agreement, get 00:08:07.890 --> 00:08:14.419 your free EIN, and file your $200 annual report by April 15 every year. 00:08:14.419 --> 00:08:18.659 The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. 00:08:18.728 --> 00:08:22.739 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:24.339 North Carolina LLC.