Start your business
Starting a new business in Utah can seem overwhelming at first. While you’re likely excited about getting started and working with customers, if you’ve been doing your research, you know there’s a lot of paperwork and red tape to be tackled first.
It’s important to start on the right foot with all of the legalities taken care of correctly so that you can stay in compliance and not worry about these details moving forward. This is where ZenBusiness comes in. We can show you how forming a limited liability company (LLC) in Utah can be straightforward and affordable.
In this guide, we offer step-by-step instructions and the insights you need to make sure you’re doing it right. You will also learn how the right LLC service can support you through this process and provide value to your company once it’s up and running.
1Name Your Utah LLC
2
Appoint a Registered Agent in Utah
File Utah Certificate of Organization
Create an Operating Agreement
Apply for an EIN
At first glance, coming up with a business name might seem to involve nothing more than deciding on a name that sounds good to you, but there are other factors to consider, including:
If you settle on your business name before you’re ready to file your Certificate of Organization, you may want to reserve the name, so it doesn’t get snagged. This requires filling out a simple form you can download from the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code’s website and paying a $22 filing fee. The registration lasts for 120 days and can be renewed at the same price as needed. If you plan on filing right away, though, you can skip this step.
Another consideration is whether you want a DBA. A DBA or “Doing Business As” is another name you can use for your business. This allows you to do business under a name different from your official business name. Registering a DBA requires filling out a form and paying a $22 fee.
Note you’ll also want to check with the United States Patent and Trademark Office website to see whether your business name or logo is federally trademarked. Utah also has information on trademarks within the state.
When filling out the Certificate of Organization, you need to appoint a Utah registered agent. A registered agent is a person or business (like a registered agent service) that can receive legal documents, such as lawsuits or summons, on behalf of a business entity. Business correspondence from the Secretary of State is also sent to the registered agent.
Requirements for registered agents in Utah include:
While you can act as your own registered agent on behalf of your company, there are reasons why that might not be the best idea. A registered agent’s personal information becomes public record, and being your own registered agent can lead to other complications within your LLC, as well. For example, it’s not the best look to receive service of process in front of customers.
Often, it’s a good idea to go with a registered agent service. The benefits of doing so include the reliability that comes with hiring an experienced service that makes it so you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll maintain your certificate of good standing.
The right service can act as a registered agent in multiple states while holding traditional business hours. ZenBusiness can connect you with registered agent services for your LLC.
Now that you’ve named your business and chosen a registered agent, it’s time to register it. This is done by filing the Certificate of Organization — commonly known as the Articles of Organization in other states — with the Utah Department of Commerce.
This can be done by filling out the appropriate form and paying a $70 processing fee. On this form, you will include:
For those who choose to mail the Certificate of Organization, you’ll want to send it to:
Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Registration can alternatively be completed through the OneStop Business Registration website (you’ll need to create an account).
ZenBusiness can supply you with a customizable Operating Agreement template for as little as $35.
Any LLC with employees or more than one member will need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Largely needed for tax purposes, this acts as a Social Security number for your business and will allow you to file tax documents as needed. It can also help with things needed to run your business, like opening a business bank account. Obtaining an EIN is as easy as completing the application on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
ZenBusiness has affordable annual plans that can keep your business compliant and in good standing, filing your periodic report and up to two amendments annually. This can save you money in the long run by having all of your business needs taken care of in one place.
| Do-It-Yourself (DIY) | ZenBusiness Starter Plan |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (state filing fee) | |
| $100 | $100 |
| ZenBusiness filing | |
| N/A | $49 |
| Average Filing Time | |
| ??? | 2-3 weeks |
| Registered Agent | |
| +$159/yr | |
| Operating Agreement | |
| +$35 | |
| Name Reservation | |
| +$10 | |
| Accuracy Guarantee | |
| | |
| TOTAL COST | |
| Do-It-Yourself (DIY) | ZenBusiness Pro Plan |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | |
| state fee | $199 + state fee |
| Average Filing Time | |
| 2-3 weeks | 5-8 business days |
| Registered Agent | |
| +$99/yr | |
| Operating Agreement | |
| +$35 | |
| State Compliance Help | |
| $119/yr | |
| EIN | |
| +$70 | |
| DOMAIN NAME | |
| +$25 | |
| DOMAIN PRIVACY | |
| +$10 | |
| BUSINESS WEBSITE | |
| +$100 | |
| BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS | |
| +$25 | |
| SHOW ALL DETAILS | |
| Do-It-Yourself (DIY) | ZenBusiness Pro Plan |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | |
| state fee | $199 |
| Average Filing Time | |
| 15 business days | 5-10 business days |
| Registered Agent | |
| +$249/yr | |
| Operating Agreement | |
| +$99 | |
| State Compliance Help | |
| $280/yr | |
| EIN | |
| +$60 | |
| DOMAIN NAME | |
| +$25 | |
| DOMAIN PRIVACY | |
| +$10 | |
| BUSINESS WEBSITE | |
| +$100 | |
| BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS | |
| +$25 | |
| SHOW ALL DETAILS | |
LLCs are considered “pass-through” entities, which means you will not have to pay both business tax and personal income tax. The LLC itself is not taxed; instead, the owners pay tax on their share of the LLC profits on their personal income taxes only. However, there might be additional taxes you need to pay to the Utah government. You will also need to pay federal, self-employment, and possibly payroll taxes to the IRS.
If your LLC sells goods and you collect sales tax, or if you have employees, you must register your LLC with the Utah State Tax Commission. A qualified tax professional can help you make sure you’re staying compliant with all tax laws.
When you get your EIN, you will be informed of the different tax classification options. LLCs usually choose the default tax status, meaning that owners pay state and federal taxes on income earned from the business as part of their individual taxes. Larger LLCs, however, may opt to file taxes as a corporation.
All businesses in Utah are required to get a business license, but it’s acquired at the city or county level. Occupational and professional licenses can also be applied for online. Licenses can be industry-specific and happen at the federal, state, and local level, so you’ll need to research what licensing your LLC needs. To learn about which business insurance might be required or advisable, visit the Utah Insurance Department’s Business Insurance page.
To dissolve an LLC in Utah, you must file a Statement of Dissolution.
Want to learn more about starting a business in Utah? Contact us today!
Already a Utah small business owner? Learn how ZenBusiness can help you run or grow your Utah small business today!
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Additional tax and regulatory requirements may apply to you
Additional tax and regulatory requirements may apply to you
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