How to Form an LLC in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a great place to start a business and is among the top 10 most prosperous states in the country. Located in the eastern U.S., it has a rich history as one of the original 13 colonies and is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were drafted. Pennsylvania is home to some of the biggest insurance and financial businesses in addition to 50 Fortune 500 companies.
When forming an LLC in the state of Pennsylvania, you must complete the following requirements:
- Select a business name according to requirements
- File all necessary articles of organization and submit filing fees
- Appoint a registered agent
- Register your federal tax ID number with the IRS
- Complete decennial reports
- Establish at least one manager
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Select Business Name According to State Requirements
- Name Requirements: Must be unique and cannot be similar to the name of another corporation or LLC in Pennsylvania.
- Must include one of the following:
- “Limited Liability Company”
- “Ltd. Liability Company”
- “Ltd. Liability Co.”
- “LLC”
- “L.L.C.”
- Must include one of the following:
- Restricted Guidelines – the state of Pennsylvania will not allow you to form LLCs with names that:
- Are very similar to the name of a federal or PA agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania Police, Treasury, etc.)
- Suggest affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
- Use the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the Olympic organization
- Imply a purpose that it would be illegal for your business to carry out
- Specific Restrictions and Prohibitions:
- “bank,” ‘‘banking,” ‘‘banker,” ‘‘trust,” ‘‘college,” ‘‘university,” ‘‘seminary,” ‘‘certified public accountant,” ‘‘public accountant,” ‘‘architect,” ‘‘architecture,” ‘‘engineer,” “engineering,” ‘‘surveyor,” ‘‘surveying,” ‘‘pharmacist,” ‘‘druggist,” ‘‘apothecary,” ‘‘drug store,” ‘‘pharmacy,” ‘‘drugs,” ‘‘medicine store,” ‘‘medicines,” ‘‘drug shop,” ‘‘pharmaceutical,” ‘‘homeopathic,” ‘‘homeopathy,” “‘annuity,” ‘‘assurance,” ‘‘beneficial,” ‘‘bond,” ‘‘casualty,” ‘‘endowment,” ‘‘fidelity,” ‘‘fraternal,” ‘‘guaranty,” ‘‘indemnity,” ‘‘insurance,” ‘‘insurer,” ‘‘reassurance,” ‘‘reinsurance,” ‘‘surety,” ‘‘title” ‘‘mutual,” or “electricity or gas utilities.”
File Articles of Organization and Submit Filing Fees
- Required Documents: An LLC must file with the OR Secretary of State.
- LLCs must list the name and address of a registered agent with a physical address (no post office boxes) in Oregon.
- Filing Fee: $125
- Processing Time: State is 4 Weeks; expedited is 10 Business Days.
Appoint a Registered Agent
- If the Registered Agent is an individual person, they must reside in Pennsylvania
- If the Registered Agent is a business, they must be able to conduct business in Pennsylvania
- The Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Pennsylvania, not a P.O. Box
- The PA Registered Agent must be available in person during normal business hours to sign for any correspondence
Register Your Federal Tax ID Number with the IRS
- An EIN is required for corporations that will have employees.
Complete Decennial Reports
- Decennial Report Deadline: Decennially in years ending with the number “1”
- You can file any time during the reporting year.
- The decennial filing is only required if no other filings (agent changes, amendments, etc.) have been submitted to the state during that 10-year period.
- Example: The next reports are due in 2021, 2031, and 2041.
- Filing Fee: $70
Establish At Least One LLC Member or Manager
- Minimum Requirements: Your corporation must have one or more managers/members.
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incorporation. Request a consultation with one of our specialists!