To assist you in finding the company with the best Iowa LLC formation services, we spent long hours researching and consulting our legal team on the key features that are essential for compliance with state law.
Together with our members who have backgrounds in business law, accounting, and entrepreneurship, we believe we found a few online business formation services in Iowa worth exploring. We ranked them based on affordability, user-friendliness, customer service, and additional features.
This article provides a detailed review of Iowa's four best LLC services and the features they offer.
ZenBusiness
Northwest
Incfile4 Best LLC Services In Iowa (October 2023)
1 - ZenBusiness (Editor's Choice)
2000+ Reviews
ZenBusiness is a PBC or a Public Benefit Corporation that aims to provide tools, advice, and years of experience to support small business owners.
By registering with ZenBusiness, you gain access to features that are not commonly available in other Iowa LLC service packages.
We had a positive experience using ZenBusiness's services to establish an LLC in Iowa.
My LLC saw approval in just four days, and I was furnished with an all-inclusive New Business Kit. The dashboard is a goldmine of information, offering a clear post-filing trajectory.
They provided additional services beyond the LLC application process, such as an invoicing tool and a business operating agreement form.
Their commitment to clients is evident in their billing structure for registered agent services.
Service Features:
- Starter Package ($0 + $50 State Fee): Includes standard filing speed (2 to 3 weeks), worry-free compliance, expense and deduction tracking, accounting consultation, and guaranteed 100% accuracy. Worry-free compliance is free for the first year (optional); it renews at $199/year if accepted. It also has Banking and Bank Account services, Money Pro Bookkeeping and a Website Builder.
- Pro Package ($199 + $50 State Fee): Includes fastest “rush” filing speed (1-2 business days avg). In addition, Employer Identity Number, accounting consultation, and expense and deduction tracking. Furthermore, you can access an LLC operating agreement template for $99.
- Premium Package ($349 + $50 State Fee): Includes all Pro package features plus, domain name, email address, and business document templates.
- Registered Agent Service ($199): The registered agent fee renews annually at $199.
- Offers a variety of formation packages to choose from
- Reasonably-priced packages
- Provides worry-free compliance
- Quick turnaround period
- A lot of positive reviews
- Non-profit business formation is not offered
2 - Northwest Registered Agent
1000+ Reviews
Northwest Registered Agent is an LLC service provider known for its exceptional customer service from their representatives across Iowa. They also place a high emphasis on ensuring data privacy and security.
They pride themselves on great communication, data privacy, and data protection.
The company charges $39 plus state fees for LLC formation, making it an affordable choice. If you're on a tight budget, Northwest's monthly payment plan is a wallet-friendly option.
Our experience with Northwest Registered Agent was exceptional. We went through the initial steps in 9 minutes, and everything was ready in 72 hours.
We highly recommend Northwest Registered Agent for their excellent pricing, quick turnaround times, and exceptional customer service.
Whether you call, email, or use their online chat, their support team responds promptly.
Service Features:
- Basic LLC Formation Package ($39 + $50 State Fee): This LLC services package includes a filing service fee, a state filing fee, and a registered agent if you opt for Northwest to form your LLC.
- Full Service LLC Formation Package ($225 + $50 State Fee): This LLC services package includes same business day filing, free limited mail forwarding, a free registered agent for a year, an operating agreement, and a client account loaded with free tools and forms.
- Registered Agent Service ($125/annually): This service includes a registered agent, registered office, form filing, biennial report reminders, digital mail forwarding services, address use, data privacy, and lifetime support.
- With their 20 years of experience, they are well-versed in the processes
- Values your privacy
- Fees are very transparent
- 1-year free registered agent services if you avail of their formation package
- Pricey
3 - IncFile
1000+ Reviews
IncFile has been in the LLC formation services business for 18 years and has catered to more than 800,000 businesses. It is surprising to see that their LLC service fees are state specific.
You can avail of the free registered agent for up to a year, and then you will have to pay $119 annually.
They also offer online storage for formation documents, an online dashboard to keep track of your deadlines, and compliance notifications.
As a bonus, every customer gets a free hour-long business tax consultation with a professional.
The convenience offered by IncFile was a significant advantage for us. We managed to complete the entire LLC formation process online, and IncFile handled everything else.
We can confirm that IncFile consolidates and ships your paper copies and any requested materials after completing the formation of your Iowa limited liability company.
Service Features:
- Silver Package ($0 + $50 State Fee): This LLC services package includes preparing and filing articles of organization, unlimited name searches, free registered agent services in Iowa for a year, and unlimited phone and email support.
- Gold Package ($199 + $50 State Fee): This LLC services package includes preparing and filing articles of organization, unlimited name searches, free registered agent service for a year, EIN business tax number, IRS form 2553, bank resolution, lifetime notifications, online dashboard, unlimited phone and email support, business banking account, and business tax consultation.
- Platinum Package ($299 + $50 State Fee): This LLC services package includes everything in the Gold Package but with additional features such as business contract templates, free next-day filing, domain name, and business email.
- Registered Agent Service ($119): This service is free for the first year if you purchase their LLC formation package. To support business operations further, this service comes with easy online access to your documentation.
- Affordable Iowa LLC formation service
- LLC formation package also includes a free registered agent service for a year
- Helped in the forming of over 800,000 businesses
- Phone and email support
- A lot of upsells
4 - Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer has an edge against different Iowa LLC formation services because of its free legal documents and free legal information with access to affordable representation by licensed attorneys.
We loved Rocket Lawyer's supportive customer help center and enjoyed its user-friendly interface.
Their website dedicates an entire page to providing information on topics such as technical support, membership, and launching a business online.
Service Features:
- Rocket Lawyer Package ($99.99 + $50 State Fee): This LLC formation service bundle includes free business incorporation services, registered agent services for one year, and a year of legal services. If you opt for Rocket Lawyer you will get 25% off registered agent service.
- Registered Agent Service ($149.99): This fee is a yearly subscription, and you can get a 25% discount if you have a membership (for $39.99 monthly).
- Member access to legal services, such as LLC formation service
- Member discounts on different legal services
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Expensive membership fee
- Need to be a member to get free business formation services
Advantages of Creating an LLC in Iowa
Forming a limited liability company in Iowa comes with significant benefits.
1. Limited Personal Liability
Limited liability is one of the most important benefits of forming an LLC. As an Iowa business owner, you understand the importance of protecting your personal assets from creditors [1].
With limited liability protection, your assets are shielded from being seized by businesses or individuals who may be owed money by your company.
This is because LLCs have a separate legal identity from their owners, and therefore creditors have no right to force you to use your personal assets to pay for business debts.
By choosing to start an LLC in Iowa, you are taking an important step towards safeguarding your personal assets and minimizing your risk as a business owner.
Thanks to this critical feature, the LLC model has become one of the most popular choices for entrepreneurs and small business owners alike.
2. Flexible Management Structure
The owner has the privilege to decide what management structure they want to implement.
In a member-managed LLC, the members are involved in every aspect of running the company, from strategic planning and sales to day-to-day operations and financial management.
While this approach can result in significant control and flexibility, it also requires significant time and effort on the part of individual owners.
Alternatively, owners can choose to rely on professional managers to oversee their LLC's operations.
In a manager-managed LLC, directors, and officers fulfill the roles traditionally assigned to directors and officers: responsible for strategic planning, recruitment of new employees, hiring and firing of key personnel, overseeing financial decisions, etc.
3. Pass-through Taxation
Pass-through taxation has become one of the most popular options for businesses in recent years, as more and more companies are looking for ways to minimize their overall tax burden while maintaining control over their operations.
When it comes to taxation, most business owners in Iowa have likely heard the term "double taxation."
This term refers to the situation where a company is taxed on its profits by both the federal government and its local jurisdiction. Pass-through businesses, however, avoid this problem by having their revenues and expenses "pass-through" to their individual owners [2].
4. Easy to Form and Inexpensive
LLCs are an extremely popular choice for business owners in Iowa and for a good reason. LLCs are relatively easy and inexpensive to form compared to other business entities [3].
In most cases, all that is required is filing an Articles of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office and paying a small filing fee.
There is also no need to hire an attorney when forming an LLC in Iowa, which can further save time and money.
Additionally, unlike many other business structures, LLCs do not require any initial capital investment, making them a great choice for new businesses on a budget.
5. Hassle-free Paperwork and Fewer Formalities
Unlike corporations, which require annual meetings to be held as well as minutes from these meetings that need to be recorded, LLCs do not have these same requirements.
This can save business owners both time and money when it comes to compliance, as they can focus their efforts on running and growing their businesses rather than on endless paperwork and record-keeping tasks.
Additionally, there are typically fewer formalities involved in operating an LLC - meaning that entrepreneurs can focus more attention on driving profitability rather than complying with corporate rules and regulations.
Our Selection Process
After a great deal of research online, reading up on customer reviews, as well as having discussions with former users, we have picked quality LLC formation services based on these criteria.
1. Service Features
One of the most important things to think about when choosing an LLC formation service is having a company that provides the complete service package that allows you to have limited personal liability and separate personal assets from business assets, fewer reporting and record-keeping requirements, avoidance of double-taxation, and biennial reports.
Another thing, the needs of businesses can change over time as the business grows, and it would be great if you could hire LLC services that can assist you with additional services as time passes.
2. Affordability
Unarguably, the quality of the best Iowa LLC service is the most important. However, the pricing of the services provided should also be considered.
We looked into their pricing transparency and promotions, and from these, we have gathered a list of LLC formation companies with the best services at a reasonable price.
Note, a premium service could dramatically increase the cost of creating an LLC in Iowa.
3. Expertise
We did our research on how long each LLC service company has been in business and its clientele.
A long list of satisfied clients is a tell-tale sign that a company has expertise in its field. One of the most important things to consider is that the company is known to be knowledgeable about the service process.
4. Customer reviews
We have been reading up on the personal experience of each customer as they worked with a specific business formation company.
We took note of their overall satisfaction and whether they had a good or bad experience.
From there, we chose the Iowa LLC services that are at the top of the list for customer satisfaction.
Iowa LLC Formation Process
- Step 1: Name the LLC in Iowa
- Step 2: Get a registered agent service
- Step 3: Create a business structure
- Step 4 Write and file the Iowa certificate of organization with the Iowa Secretary of State
- Step 5: Get a state business license
- Step 6: Learn Iowa rules of employment
- Step 7: Hire an accountant for your taxes
- Step 8: File a biennial report every odd-numbered years
FAQs
How Can I Set up a Limited Liability Company in Iowa?
You can set up a limited liability company in Iowa by completing an Iowa LLC service search and choosing a business name. Provide a physical address for your business. Lastly, hire an LLC formation service in Iowa to do the rest for you.
What Is the Total Cost of Forming and Maintaining a Business Entity in Iowa?
The total cost of forming and maintaining a business entity in Iowa can be between $390 and $1150 annually.
How to Create an Operating Agreement in Iowa?
To create an operating agreement in Iowa, download a free PDF form online by typing "Iowa LLC Operating Agreement."
What LLC Service Provider in Iowa You Should Choose?
Having carefully reviewed these four services based on their affordability, features, and customer reviews, ZenBusiness stood out as the only service that offers the best value for your money.
They provide discounts for legal services and are efficient, convenient, and low-cost, which is a perfect combination for first-time business owners.
Finally, ZenBusiness has the best Iowa LLC service starting package for $0 + $50 state fee, which includes all the essential services when forming an LLC.
Our #1 Recommendation
ZenBusiness
- Offers a variety of formation packages to choose from
- Reasonably-priced packages
- Provides worry-free compliance
- Quick turnaround period
- A lot of positive reviews
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of October
- Non-profit business formation is not offered
