Starting a limited liability company (LLC) can be difficult, especially if you're unfamiliar with the procedures in North Carolina.
To help you make the most informed decision, we opened up 12 LLCs just to see which ones were the best. We also consulted with attorneys and legal experts for the best LLC formation services in North Carolina, to save you from additional expenses.
We went ahead and tried some of the companies focusing on features, cost, and quality customer service.
Here are the best LLCs that NC has to offer.
ZenBusiness
Northwest
IncFile5 Best LLC Services in North Carolina (September 2023)
1 - ZenBusiness (Editor's Choice)
2000+ Reviews
ZenBusiness is our editor's choice for the best LLC service in North Carolina.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, ZenBusiness provides a complete suite of North Carolina LLC formation services to make starting up your business stress-free and easy.
ZenBusiness outperforms its competitors by its low-cost options, fantastic customer relations, and the fact that they have already helped more than 300,000 businesses start up.
We had a great customer experience with ZenBusiness. From start to finish, they made registering our LLC in North Carolina easy and affordable.
We were extremely pleased with the service we received and would highly recommend ZenBusiness to anyone looking for LLC services in NC.
Service Features:
- Starter Package ($0 + $128): This North Carolina LLC services package offers expense and deduction tracking, standard filing speed (two to three weeks), and a 100% accuracy guarantee. You'll also enjoy worry-free compliance for the first year (optional, with renewal at $199/year), banking and bank account services, website builder, and Money Pro Bookkeeping service.
- Pro Package ($199 + $128): With this package, you will get everything from the Starter package plus the fastest rush-filling speed (1-2 working days), an EIN, and a guide operation agreement (at $99).
- Premium Package ($349 + $128): You'll have all Pro package features, domain name, email address, and business document templates.
- North Carolina Registered Agent Service ($199): ZenBusiness offers North Carolina registered agent service as an add-on at $199, which is charged after the business is formed and can be renewed annually at the same price.
- Offer a variety of LLC formation packages
- Cost-effective plans for LLC formation services
- Direct business formation solutions
- Rapid LLC formation services
- Outstanding client feedback
- No possibility of non-profit business formation
2 - Northwest Registered Agent
1000+ Reviews
Northwest Registered Agent is a reputable company, with a simple interactive website and great customer service in North Carolina.
Working with Northwest was an excellent experience for us.
Their website was user-friendly and interactive, making it easy to navigate and understand the process for registering a limited liability company.
They will ensure your LLC formation or incorporation is completed efficiently and effectively.
Service Features:
- Basic Package ($39 + $128 State Fee): This Basic Plan may be used to form nonprofits, corporations, and LLCs. Additionally, a year of free registered agent service and an operating agreement is included.
- Full Service LLC Formation Package ($225 + $128 State Fee): This package comes with mail forwarding, same-business-day filing, a client account with free forms and tools, and an operating agreement.
- Northwest Registered Agent Services ($125): If you choose Northwest to create your LLC, the first year's registered agent service fee is free. It includes free mail forwarding, privacy, and corporate guides.
- 2-decade-long track record
- Exceptional privacy and data protection
- Straightforward registered agent services fees
- A whole year of registered agent service is free
- Not budget friendly
3 - IncFile
1000+ Reviews
Our research showed that Incfile is one of the top web services to use when creating your business online.
We decided to give them a try, and we were not disappointed. IncFile provided us with a full year of guaranteed free registered agent service, making the process smoother.
Their rate was one of the highest for this type of service, but the customer service was worth the investment. Our overall experience with IncFile was very positive.
Service Features:
- Silver Package ($0 + $128 State Fee): Silver Package files the articles of organization in your name, and offers you a free registered agent service for a year, name searches, and support.
- Gold Package ($199 + $128 State Fee): In addition to Silver Package, Gold Package will provide you an EIN Business Tax Number and an IRS Form 2553, along with an online access dashboard, business banking account & business tax consultation, banking resolution, operating agreement, lifetime and company alerts.
- Platinum Package ($299 + $128 State Fee): This plan includes the Gold Package plus business contract templates, a domain name, and free next-day filing.
- Registered Agent Services ($119): You don't have to pay within the first year if you form your LLC with IncFile. After the first year, you will have to pay $119 per year for the registered agent service.
- Low rates
- Same-day filing and quick LLC formation
- Includes a whole year of registered agent services for free
- Registration is fast and simple
- Expensive
4 - LegalZoom
LegalZoom offers competitive prices and the ability to add additional services to your plan.
They offer a range of judicial products and solutions to assist company executives and owners navigate the legal concerns and obstacles of establishing and running a firm.
We found that their very experienced staff helped us through every step of the formation process, and we were always welcome to ask for more assistance.
Service Features:
- Basic Package ($0 + $128 State Fee): The features include articles of organization, name search services, and a customizable business website from Wix. You'll also get a complete digital welcome packet.
- Pro Package ($249 + $128 State Fee): Includes everything in the Basic package. It also adds an EIN to facilitate bank account creation and tax filing, an operating agreement for dispute settlement and organization guidelines, and an in-depth license business guide. You also have the benefit of tax and insurance consultations.
- Premium Package ($299 + $128 State Fee): Comes with all Pro package features plus countless 30-minute consultations from a professional attorney regarding emerging legal topics, applied changes to your formation documents within 90 days of the first subscription, and engaging personalized guidance for a North Carolina attorney.
- Registered Agent Services ($299): This is a yearly subscription, but if you decide to let LegalZoom take care of your LLC formation in the first year, you will pay $50 less for the registered agent.
- Low-cost ongoing legal assistance
- 100% money-back assurance
- Easy-to-use online portal
- Higher costs and a lack of openness
- There are multiple upsells
5 - Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is an affordable North Carolina business entity formation service with some of the quickest response times on the market!
Swyft Filings remains one of the finest options for some simple LLC forms or incorporations due to its efficient price plan and fast delivery periods, which is why we had to test it first.
Swyft Filings is an expert in the industry and is informed about rules and laws that apply to LLCs in North Carolina, which was helpful.
During the process, customer support offered us the right direction. All in all, this assistance made the entire procedure easy and stress-free.
Service Features:
- Basic Package ($0 + $128 State Fee): Basic Package is ideal if you want LLC incorporation plus document filing.
- Standard Package ($199 + $128 State Fee): Includes everything from the previous package and Federal Tax ID (EIN), and the most important documents you need to start your business.
- Premium Package ($299 + $128 State Fee): Premium Package includes all the basic services, plus free domain and business website hosting and customized digital corporate kit.
- Registered Agent Service ($99 per three months ): This will be an ongoing quarterly subscription for the registered agent services.
- Installment purchases are permitted
- Adaptable LLC formation service pricing model
- Reasonable processing timeframes
- Upselling excessively
- The registered agent service is not covered
The Pros of Forming an LLC in North Carolina
North Carolina is an ideal state for forming an LLC due to its attractive business climate and numerous tax benefits.
Here are the 4 benefits of setting up an LLC in North Carolina:
1. Safeguard You from Personal Liability
The primary benefit of LLCs is that they insulate owners from personal liability.
This implies that if the LLC gets into bankruptcy or is held liable, the owner's financial and personal properties are unaffected [1].
Although it's an exception, signing a personal guarantee for business finance makes you legally responsible for debt repayment to creditors.
2. Flexible Taxation
Standard companies are often subject to double income taxes. Selecting an LLC as your entity type provides you with several possibilities for paying taxes.
Except if an LLC opts to be treated as a C corporation, profits are passed to the owners as personal income rather than corporate tax rates.
This is known as pass-through taxes, and it saves money by eliminating double taxation [2].
3. Paperwork Reduction
Forming and managing an LLC is much simpler and requires less paperwork than any other corporate formation.
To form an LLC, you need to submit articles of formation and make a payment to the state agency, usually, the secretary of state's office, which a registered agent typically does.
4. Administration Diversification
Forming an LLC in North Carolina offers a great way to diversify the administration of your business.
By diversifying administration, members of the LLC can be responsible for different roles, such as managing finances, handling legal paperwork, and overseeing operations.
It allows the LLC to have more than one set of eyes on important business decisions and tasks, reducing the chances of errors or oversights.
North Carolina LLC Formation Process
The filing process of forming an LLC in North Carolina involves submitting paperwork to the North Carolina Secretary of State's office and paying a filing fee.
Here are the simple steps to start an LLC in North Carolina:
- Step 1: Pick a unique name for the North Carolina LLC
- Step 2: Acquire a registered agent
- Step 3: File Articles of Organization
- Step 4: Get an operating agreement set up for your North Carolina LLC
- Step 5: Obtain an EIN and meet all tax and regulatory obligations
- Step 6: Annual reports must be filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State
Factors To Consider in a North Carolina LLC Service
When choosing an LLC service in North Carolina, it's essential to understand how the services will affect the cost to start an LLC in North Carolina and how they can benefit your business.
Below are some of the qualities you can consider:
Outstanding Customer Service
Look for an LLC formation service provider that takes the shortest time to answer your questions, offers helpful advice, and is available 24/7 and on diverse platforms.
A Broad Range of Services
When looking for an LLC filing service provider, it's wise to pick one that offers various services. This way, you have the freedom to select services that are most relevant to your requirements. Additionally, they should not overprice their services.
Brand Recognition
The image of the LLC formation service you select is crucial. To get the best quality service, ensure the provider has an excellent track record of customer satisfaction.
An LLC formation service company with a strong brand reputation will likely provide you with the highest quality services.
FAQs
Is North Carolina a Good State to Form an LLC?
Yes, North Carolina is a good state to form an LLC because the processing period is relatively short and straightforward.
How Fast Can I Get an LLC in NC?
You can get an LLC in NC in between 7-10 days if you register digitally.
Do North Carolina LLCs Have to Pay Taxes?
Yes, North Carolina LLCs have to pay taxes. The corporation tax in North Carolina is a fixed 2,5% of income taxes. Furthermore, North Carolina imposes a company franchise tax. This taxation could also apply to your LLC. All taxes have to be paid to the Department of Revenue (DOR).
Our Top Choice for North Carolina LLC Provider
If you're looking for an LLC filing service that suits your company, consider a firm with an impressive record of working with other businesses in your field that offers competitive rates.
ZenBusiness topped our list as an excellent choice for fresh entrepreneurs looking for help and comfort as they start their businesses.
Registering our LLC with ZenBusiness was an amazing experience. Their user-friendly platform made the entire process a breeze. Submitting our paperwork was simple and secure, and we got our documents quickly.
We recommend ZenBusiness to anyone looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to set up their LLC in North Carolina.
Our #1 Recommendation
ZenBusiness
- Offer a variety of LLC formation packages
- Cost-effective plans for LLC formation services
- Direct business formation solutions
- Rapid LLC formation services
- Outstanding client feedback
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- No possibility of non-profit business formation
