Document Name | Required | Optional But Preferred | Required only in Certain Cases | Document Description |
Articles of Organization | Yes | - | - | Articles of Organization are the initial legal documents for forming an LLC in the United States, providing key information about the company, its management, and its purpose. Filing these documents with the state creates the LLC as a legal entity. |
Operating Agreement | - | Yes | - | An operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the internal workings, management structure, and operating procedures of a limited liability company (LLC). |
IRS-EIN Document | Yes | - | - | An EIN (Employer Identification Number) letter is a written communication from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States that contains the official EIN for a business or entity. This letter serves as confirmation of the assigned EIN and provides important information related to the EIN, including the entity's legal name, business address, and the effective date of the EIN. |
Business License | - | Yes | - | Business licenses are legal permits or authorizations issued by government authorities at various levels (local, state, or federal) that grant individuals or entities the legal right to conduct specific business activities within a particular jurisdiction. |
Entity W-9 | - | Yes | - |
|
Business Tax Return Document (Form 1120-S) | - | - | Yes (existing S Corps) | The IRS Form 1120S, also known as the U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, is a tax form used by S corporations in the United States to report their income, deductions, and other tax-related information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). |
Individual Tax Return Document (Form 1040) | - | Yes | - | The IRS Form 1040 is the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. It is the primary form used by individuals to report their annual income, calculate their federal income tax liability, and claim any applicable tax credits and deductions. |
Annual Report | - | Yes | - | An annual report filed with the Secretary of State (SOS) is a document that certain business entities are required to submit on a regular basis to maintain their legal status and good standing with the state in which they are registered. |
Franchise Tax Agreement | - | Yes | - |
A franchise tax agreement is a document or legal contract between a state government and a business entity, often a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), in which the business agrees to pay franchise taxes to the state. This agreement outlines the terms, conditions, and requirements for calculating, reporting, and paying franchise taxes, which are a type of state tax imposed on certain businesses for the privilege of operating within the state. |
Form 2553 | - | - | Yes | If the user type is SC-SC (Remain SC) - This document is required, but the IRS Acceptance Letter (usually LTR 385C) or Form 1120-S can also meet this requirement. |
IRS S-Corp Acceptance Letter | - | - | Yes | If the user type is SC-SC (Remain SC) - This document is required, if Form 2553 is NOT available. This document is nice to have if Form 2553 is also available. |
NY/NJ State S-Corp Acceptance Letter | - | - | Yes | Both New York (NY) and New Jersey (NJ) allow businesses to elect S Corporation (S Corp) status for state tax purposes. The NJ form name is CBT-2553 and the NY form name is CT-6. |
Amendments | Yes | - | - | An amendment filing with the Secretary of State (SOS) or a similar government agency is a formal and legally required process used by businesses to update their official documents, such as articles of incorporation or organization. It's used to document changes in the business's structure, purpose, or other important details that aren't part of routine annual reporting. |
DBA | - | Yes | - | A "DBA" (Doing Business As), also known as an "assumed name" or "fictitious business name," is a legal concept that allows individuals or entities to conduct business under a name that is different from their legal business name. We request a a filed stamped copy as proof of your registration. |
Certificate of Good Standing | - | - | Yes | A Good Standing Certificate, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, is an official document issued by a state's Secretary of State or similar authority that confirms a business's legal and financial standing. This certificate verifies that the business is registered, active, and compliant with state laws and regulations, including tax obligations. |
Foreign Filing | Yes | - | - | A foreign registration with the Secretary of State (SOS) typically refers to the process of registering a business entity in a state or jurisdiction where it is not incorporated or formed. |
Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining accounting or other financial advice from an appropriate financial adviser or for the purpose of avoiding U.S. Federal, state or local tax payments and penalties.