Inc Authority Review (2024 Updated) Is It Legit?

Jon Morgan
Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Last updated: March 13, 2024
FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor
Methodology
We diligently evaluate each service provider showcased in our reviews and guides. By interacting anonymously with their business formation and services, and leveraging the insights of an independent review team, we strive to offer unbiased, evidence-based suggestions. Learn more

Inc Authority, established in 1989, is a trusted choice for business formation, assisting hundreds of thousands of businesses.

As an experienced business consultant, I've worked with various online formation services to assess their legitimacy and efficiency.

After employing the service of Inc Authority, Venture Smarter able to provide a thorough review regarding their packages, benefits, costs, and other considerations to help you determine if it is the right fit for your company.

What Is Inc Authority?

A smiling man using a laptop and a logo of Inc Authority

Inc Authority is an LLC formation service offering additional paperwork and helping businesses meet legal requirements.

Having formed my own LLC through Inc Authority, I can vouch for their extensive expertise.

Established in 1989, they've been assisting small businesses for over 30 years, creating over 25,000 LLCs annually, according to their website.

Our #1 Recommendation

Inc Authority

A logo of Inc Authority and a serious business man using a laptop
Support
4.8
Price
4.8
Features
4.8
Turnaround
4.6
Overall
4.8

Inc Authority Review Ratings

In Venture Smarter comprehensive evaluation of Inc Authority, we have meticulously analyzed various facets of their service offerings.

This section presents our ratings across key dimensions, reflecting our unbiased, evidence-based assessment.

Each aspect has been rated based on our direct experience with Inc Authority, considering factors like customer support, pricing, features, and overall efficiency.

Support - 4.8/5

Inc Authority's customer support is exceptional, earning a 4.8 out of 5 rating. Their team is not only knowledgeable but also readily available to assist with any queries or concerns.

My direct experiences confirm their effective and timely assistance, matching their claims of exceptional service.

During our interactions, we found the support staff to be highly responsive and capable of providing detailed, helpful guidance throughout the business formation process.

This level of support is particularly beneficial for new business owners who may need extra assistance navigating the complexities of starting a business.

Price - 4.8/5

We rated Inc Authority's pricing at 4.8 out of 5, reflecting their excellent balance of cost and value.

Their range of packages, starting from a free basic option (excluding state fees), offers affordability without compromising on essential services.

Inc Authority claims to balance cost with value, which reflects accurately in their offerings. I found the free basic option to provide crucial services without financial strain, aligning with their promise of affordability.

This pricing structure is particularly advantageous for startups and small businesses that need to manage costs effectively.

The ability to add services a la carte allows for customization based on specific business needs, further enhancing the value proposition.

Features - 4.8/5

The features provided by Inc Authority are comprehensive and well-tailored to the needs of business owners, meriting a 4.8 out of 5 rating.

Evaluating Inc Authority's array of features, I found them extensive and specifically catered to various business requirements, justifying a high rating.

From basic LLC formation to more advanced services like tax planning consultations and business funding analysis, Inc Authority covers a wide range of business needs.

Their packages are designed to cater to various stages of business development, ensuring that clients have access to the tools and resources necessary for growth and compliance.

Turnaround - 4.6/5

Inc Authority's turnaround time for business formation services is rated at 4.6 out of 5.

In my experience, Inc Authority's service speed largely matches their claimed efficiency.

While they assert rapid processing times, I observed that, although generally quick, there were minor delays when compared to the fastest competitors in the market.

However, the option for expedited processing is available for those who need faster service.

Overall, their turnaround times are generally satisfactory, aligning well with the expectations of most business owners.

LLC Service Features and Prices

A group of individuals discussing the service features and prices of Inc Authority

Here are the pricing options offered by Inc Authority:

  • Entry LLC Formation Package ($0 Plus State Fees): Includes a business name availability check, Authority's registered agent service, filing, S Corp forms, digital documents, a tax planning consultation, credit, and customer service reps that can be reached by email or phone.
  • Starter Business Bundle ($399 Plus State Filing Fees): Includes everything from the entry package and an LLC operating agreement, state filing of articles, company record book, meeting minutes and resolution, an employer identification number, annual compliance alerts, website domain registration, a tax consultation, and a success advisor.
  • Executive Business Bundle ($499 Plus State Filing Fees):  Includes everything from the previous two packages, a business license report, and business credit.
  • Tycoon Business Bundle ($799 Plus State Filing Fees): Includes everything from the previous packages and express processing, a business credit coach, a credit building system, a business credit dashboard, and credit bureau registration.

Inc Authority also offers an a-la-carte menu with add-ons, including a trademark, a living trust, a website domain and marketing, business plans, funding, an operating agreement, EIN, same-day filing, express delivery, and more that can be added to any package.

Additional Services

During my time using their services, I explored some of the additional features Inc Authority offers, which include:

  • Exclusive client access to accounting and licensing plans
  • Personalized business advice
  • Bank specialists and tax consultants
  • Business license reporting software

Benefits

From my firsthand experience, here are the standout advantages of partnering with Inc Authority:

  • Helpful Upgrades: Inc Authority offers customizable upgrades, allowing business owners to add services like express filing or trademarks to the base package, which is free except for state fees. These upgrades are found to be beneficial for starting a business.
  • Inexpensive Business Formation: The company's most notable feature is its free filing services, making it ideal for new and small businesses. The basic package is considered one of the most affordable services available.
  • Highly Experienced: With over 30 years of experience and having formed hundreds of thousands of businesses, Inc Authority provides experienced customer service representatives to guide you through the entire process.
  • Positive Reviews: Inc Authority has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot and a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Google. Customers praise their knowledgeable customer service, quick process, and comprehensive solutions.
  • Customer Support: The customer support team is known for being knowledgeable and responsive, offering quick assistance and easy answers to questions.
  • User-Friendly: The Inc Authority website is straightforward and easy to navigate, with clear information on packages, pricing, and included services.
  • Business Funding Analysis: This service connects new business owners with funding sources, which is particularly helpful for those inexperienced in finding capital.
  • Business Tax Analysis: Inc Authority offers business tax analysis and planning, assisting new businesses in understanding and preparing for their tax obligations.
  • Free S-Corp Document Filing: The service includes assistance with filing IRS Form 2553 for the S-Corp election, which is a significant benefit for those overwhelmed by legal processes [1]. Interestingly, this step is crucial as approximately 60% of eligible businesses could streamline their tax obligations through this election, according to the Small Business Administration.
  • Online Document Storage: Free cloud storage is provided for storing startup documents, with both online and hard copy delivery of startup documentation.
  • Federal Trademark Services: The service helps in creating a federal trademark to establish brand identity and protect it across various platforms.

Downsides

Based on my experience, here are some areas where Inc Authority could improve:

  • Limited Entity Types: Inc Authority only supports the formation of LLCs and corporations, excluding nonprofits, DBAs, or sole proprietorships, limiting options for certain business owners.
  • No Legal Services: While offering tax and finance expertise, Inc Authority lacks a legal team for assistance with legal agreements, corporate licenses, and other legal matters.

Who Should Hire Inc Authority?

A group of individuals talking while shaking hands

Any business owner looking to start a new venture on a budget should hire Inc Authority.

Inc Authority is also great for those looking for upgraded options to help your business long-term, like tax analysis, express filing, a trademark, and more.

Their base LLC service is completely free besides the state filing fee, and their process is simple and comes with top-notch support.

"Inc Authority stands out as a reliable option for Registered Agent and LLC formation services, offering a genuinely free LLC formation service that includes a complimentary year of Registered Agent service."

- Delina Yasmeh, J.D./Tax LL.M, Distinguished Expert in Mergers & Acquisitions

Inc Authority Customer Testimonials

"Inc Authority is a one-stop shop! You can fill out an application, get your business email and domain, set up your business bank account, and have a free agent to help with your business. The advice and knowledge the agent provided helped. You can't go wrong forming your LLC through Inc Authority."
- Ramona Hicks, Trustpilot

"I received a call from a representative to confirm my information. He addressed me like family instead of just another customer. I felt that I was talking to a professional that was a friend, and he answered all my questions quickly and smoothly. And overall a very, VERY positive experience."
- Jessica Kelly, Trustpilot

"This being my first LLC, I was nervous. However, when talking to Alyana, she made things straightforward and understandable. Taking time to explain things and ensuring everything was correct, and I had everything I needed to get off a good start to starting my business. Thank you, Alayna, for your support and for making the process very smooth for me."
- Shane Lay, Trustpilot

"The whole experience was amazing. I started the process online but didn't get to finish it. I received an email from Josie giving me a nudge to finish it. I called and spoke with Sarah, who was very patient while I was at work! She then transferred me to Paolo, who brought me to the finish line. He made sure that I understood better what I needed and what I could expect. Thank you all for making this easy."
- Bonia Jackson, Trustpilot

"I was a little worried at first with the price, but after everything was said and done, it was worth it to have all the help I got. Hayden Hughes helped walk me through all the paperwork and was very knowledgeable, and easily answered all my questions. He was honest and upfront about it, and I am confident if I have any questions, I can reach out to him, and he will be able to help me moving forward."
- Savanna Plummer, Google

Inc Authority Alternatives

Having dabbled with a few business formation services, here's my take on how Inc Authority stacks up against its main competitors.

1. ZenBusiness

A ZenBusiness logo with a working entrepreneur in the background

Both ZenBusiness and Inc Authority offer LLC formation services. They provide similar services, both of which start at $0.

Inc Authority offers registered agent service in its base package, which ZenBusiness doesn't.

However, in its base package ZenBusiness offers worry-free compliance, and free month trial of banking, bank account, Money Pro Bookkeeping, and customizable website builder.

Comparing the two, the upgraded plans are less expensive for ZenBusiness than Inc Authority; however, Inc Authority has add-ons for their packages, as does ZenBusiness.

ZenBusiness tends to have a quicker turnaround time for filling your LLC (with the fastest ''rush'' speed of 1 to 2 business days in their Pro plan), although you can pay for expedited filing with Inc Authority.

To access a comprehensive evaluation of this organization, refer to Venture Smarter review of ZenBusiness.

Related articles:

2. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent and Inc Authority have features in common, including one year of free premium registered agent service, positive customer reviews, and more.

However, there are some significant differences between these services.

Inc Authority offers a zero-cost LLC formation service, while Northwest's plans begin at $39.

Northwest also provides more personalized customer support than Inc Authority, which can be beneficial to certain business owners.

Inc Authority does offer features that Northwest Registered Agent Service doesn't, such as tax planning consultation and business funding analysis.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of this company by referring to the Northwest Registered Agent review.

3. Bizee

bizee

Bizee (formerly Incfile) and Inc Authority offer free LLC formation services, a tax consultation, and a registered agent. However, there are some differences between these two businesses.

The company enables you to incorporate as an S-corporation, C-corporation, or non-profit, whereas Inc Authority focuses on LLC creation.

Bizee also allows you to create a DBA, while Inc Authority does not.

As for registered agent services, Bizee charges $119 upfront. On the other hand, Inc Authority offers the benefit of a free agent, enabling you to save administrative expenditures and launch your firm immediately.

Inc Authority has a large number of positive reviews, as does Bizee, but Bizee has a higher number of negative reviews that mention mainly customer service issues.

Also, if you are choosing the base package, Inc Authority provides more features for the price.

FAQs

How Much Is It To Form An LLC With Inc Authority?

With Inc Authority, it costs $0 plus state fees to form an LLC. The actual cost varies depending on how much your state filing fee is.

Is Inc Authority A Good Way To Start An LLC?

Inc Authority is an excellent way to start an LLC. They offer LLC services that other businesses don't, such as business tax credits, registered agent services, and a tax planning consultation.

Does Inc Authority Offer Website Help?

Inc Authority does offer website help. They offer a website builder, web hosting, a business email, and website domain registration.

Venture Smarter Verdict on Inc Authority

After employing the services of Inc Authority, I can attest that the company is a great choice for forming your business entity. I personally availed of their base plan since it features tax planning and registered agent services.

They also offer everything you need to get your business started. However, if you are looking for a quicker turnaround time, choose ZenBusiness.

ZenBusiness offers a starter LLC package starting at $0. Setting up a business with ZenBusiness is simple, and their customer service is there to help you every step of the way and get your business started quickly.

Our #1 Recommendation

ZenBusiness

Logo of ZenBusiness with a background of a woman writing down notes in front of a laptop
Support
5.0
Price
4.9
Features
5.0
Turnaround
4.9
Overall
5.0
Pros
  • They offer various formation packages to choose from
  • The prices of each package are reasonable
  • They provide a worry-free compliance
  • They make business formation as quickly as possible
  • Has a lot of positive feedback from customers
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of March
Cons
  • Formation of non-profit business is not supported

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