Question 1

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

The filing fee for Articles of Organization (Form 700) for a Michigan LLC is $50.00, nonrefundable. Optional expedited service costs extra: $50 for 24-hour service or $100 for same-day service on formation documents, with 2-hour ($500) and 1-hour ($1,000) same-day options also offered.

Question 2

How do you form an LLC in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

File Articles of Organization (Form 700, or Form 701 for a professional service LLC) with the Corporations Division of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau. The articles can be submitted online (michigan.gov/corpfileonline), by mail with a check or money order, or in person. The articles must include a resident agent and registered office. The document is effective on the date filed unless a later effective date within 90 days is stated.

Question 3

What are the LLC name requirements in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

A Michigan LLC name must contain the words "limited liability company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C." or "L.C." (with or without periods or other punctuation). It may not contain "corporation," "incorporated," "corp." or "inc.," may not imply a purpose other than the one permitted by its articles, and must be distinguishable from the names of other entities on record. An LLC name can be reserved (Form 540) for six months following the month of filing; the fee is $25.00.

Question 4

Do you need a registered agent for an LLC in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Each Michigan LLC must continuously maintain a registered office and a resident agent in Michigan. The resident agent may be an individual Michigan resident whose business office or residence is the registered office, or a Michigan or authorized foreign corporation or LLC with a business office at the registered office. To change the resident agent or registered office, file a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form 520); the fee is $5.00.

Question 5

Does an LLC have to file an annual report in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Every Michigan LLC (and every foreign LLC authorized in Michigan) must file an annual statement listing its resident agent and registered office by February 15 each year. An LLC formed after September 30 does not need to file on the February 15 immediately after its formation. The fee is $25.00 through September 30, 2027, and $15.00 if paid after September 30, 2027. LARA says an LLC that fails to file the annual statement is no longer in good standing after two years, and its name becomes available to other entities.

Question 6

Is an operating agreement required in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Michigan's LLC Act defines an operating agreement as a written agreement by the member of a one-member LLC, or among all of the members of a multi-member LLC, about the LLC's affairs and the conduct of its business; it includes any such provisions in the articles of organization. LARA says the LLC's governance is set forth by the articles of organization or operating agreement.

Question 7

How do you register a DBA in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

An LLC that will operate under a name other than its true name must file a Certificate of Assumed Name (Form 541) with LARA; the assumed name must be distinguishable from active entity names. The fee for an LLC is $25.00, and a certificate of termination of assumed name is also $25.00. The assumed name expires on December 31 of the fifth full calendar year after the year the certificate is filed.

Question 8

How do you get a sales tax permit in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Businesses register for Michigan sales tax with the Michigan Department of Treasury, online through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) or with a paper registration application. Treasury says an online application can take up to 48 hours to process; a paper application should allow 7 to 10 days for mailing plus about 2 weeks for processing.

Question 9

How do you register a foreign LLC in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

A foreign LLC transacting business in Michigan must first obtain a Certificate of Authority by filing an Application for Certificate of Authority to Transact Business (Form 760) with LARA; the fee is $50.00. A foreign LLC that leaves files a Certificate of Withdrawal (Form 761, $10.00).

Question 10

How do you dissolve an LLC in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

A Michigan LLC dissolves by filing a Certificate of Dissolution with LARA; the fee is $10.00. Form 731 is used when dissolution follows an event specified in the articles or operating agreement or a unanimous vote; Form 730 is for an LLC that has not commenced business, issued membership interests or incurred debts. LARA says a tax clearance must be requested from the Michigan Department of Treasury within 60 days of filing the dissolution, and an LLC not in good standing must first restore good standing before filing.

LLC filing fee	The filing fee for Articles of Organization (Form 700) for a Michigan LLC is $50.00, nonrefundable. Optional expedited service costs extra: $50 for 24-hour service or $100 for same-day service on formation documents, with 2-hour ($500) and 1-hour ($1,000) same-day options also offered. Form 700 notes that LLCs whose initial membership interests are held mostly by veterans may qualify for a fee waiver (MCL 450.5101). Source: MCL 450.5101(1)(b); LARA Form 700 (Articles of Organization); LARA Form 272 (Expedited Service Request)
How to file	File Articles of Organization (Form 700, or Form 701 for a professional service LLC) with the Corporations Division of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau. The articles can be submitted online (michigan.gov/corpfileonline), by mail with a check or money order, or in person. The articles must include a resident agent and registered office. The document is effective on the date filed unless a later effective date within 90 days is stated. Source: LARA, Limited Liability Companies; Form 700 instructions
Name rules and reservation	A Michigan LLC name must contain the words "limited liability company" or the abbreviation "L.L.C." or "L.C." (with or without periods or other punctuation). It may not contain "corporation," "incorporated," "corp." or "inc.," may not imply a purpose other than the one permitted by its articles, and must be distinguishable from the names of other entities on record. An LLC name can be reserved (Form 540) for six months following the month of filing; the fee is $25.00. Source: MCL 450.4204; LARA, Naming a Limited Liability Company; Form 540 (Reservation of Name); MCL 450.5101(1)(e)
Registered agent	Each Michigan LLC must continuously maintain a registered office and a resident agent in Michigan. The resident agent may be an individual Michigan resident whose business office or residence is the registered office, or a Michigan or authorized foreign corporation or LLC with a business office at the registered office. To change the resident agent or registered office, file a Certificate of Change of Registered Office and/or Resident Agent (Form 520); the fee is $5.00. Source: MCL 450.4207; LARA, Resident Agent and Registered Office; Form 520; MCL 450.5101(1)(i)
Operating agreement	Michigan's LLC Act defines an operating agreement as a written agreement by the member of a one-member LLC, or among all of the members of a multi-member LLC, about the LLC's affairs and the conduct of its business; it includes any such provisions in the articles of organization. LARA says the LLC's governance is set forth by the articles of organization or operating agreement. The pages read do not state that the operating agreement must be filed with LARA. Source: MCL 450.4102(2)(r); LARA, Limited Liability Companies

Annual report	Every Michigan LLC (and every foreign LLC authorized in Michigan) must file an annual statement listing its resident agent and registered office by February 15 each year. An LLC formed after September 30 does not need to file on the February 15 immediately after its formation. The fee is $25.00 through September 30, 2027, and $15.00 if paid after September 30, 2027. LARA says an LLC that fails to file the annual statement is no longer in good standing after two years, and its name becomes available to other entities. Source: MCL 450.4207(3); MCL 450.5101(1)(g); LARA, Annual Filings
Sales tax permit	Businesses register for Michigan sales tax with the Michigan Department of Treasury, online through Michigan Treasury Online (MTO) or with a paper registration application. Treasury says an online application can take up to 48 hours to process; a paper application should allow 7 to 10 days for mailing plus about 2 weeks for processing. The Treasury page read does not state a registration or license fee. Source: Mich. Department of Treasury, New Business Registration
DBA / assumed name	An LLC that will operate under a name other than its true name must file a Certificate of Assumed Name (Form 541) with LARA; the assumed name must be distinguishable from active entity names. The fee for an LLC is $25.00, and a certificate of termination of assumed name is also $25.00. The assumed name expires on December 31 of the fifth full calendar year after the year the certificate is filed. Source: LARA, Naming a Limited Liability Company; Form 541; MCL 450.5101(1)(f)

How to Start an LLC in Michigan: Fees, Filings and Annual Requirements

Quick answers for Michigan

Forming the LLC

Keeping the LLC in good standing

Out-of-state LLCs and closing

Where to get help in Michigan

Starting an LLC & Small Business FAQ

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