How to Form an LLC in Arizona in 8 Steps

A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of legal structure popular among small businesses. LLCs provide several advantages. These include limited liability protection, pass-through taxation, and a flexible structure. To start your LLC in Arizona, follow the step-by-step guide below.

8 Steps to Form an LLC in Arizona

1

Name Your LLC

It would help to choose a unique and memorable name for your LLC to make it stand out from the competition. According to the Arizona Limited Liability Company Act, your name must:

  • Be available: Your LLC name cannot be the same as any other business name registered in Arizona.
  • Designate your business as an LLC: Your name must contain language that illustrates that it's an LLC. You can use "limited liability company" or "limited company" in your name. Or, if you prefer, you can use the abbreviation "L.L.C.," "LLC," "L.C.," or "LC."

Research Name Availability. To find out whether your name is available, you should do a name search of the Arizona Corporation Commission's business entity database. If there are any matches, you should choose a new business name.

Research Domain Name. It's a good idea to check for domain name availability. Conduct an internet search to see if your business name is available as a domain name. Type the company name into an internet search engine to see if another business uses your name. If your domain name is unavailable, it may be necessary to rethink your LLC name.

Research for Trademark Infringement. If there are still no matches, you should perform a trademark search. You can run this search quickly and easily on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark database. This is a crucial step to help you avoid legal trouble for trademark infringement.

Reserve Your Business Name. If you want to reserve your LLC name before starting your LLC, you can file a name reservation application. This application goes to the Arizona Corporation Commission. If you file by mail, the fee is $10. Online filings must pay $45 and receive expedited service. By filing this application, you reserve your LLC name for 120 days.

2

Get a Statutory Agent

All Arizona LLCs must name a statutory agent. Other states refer to a statutory agent as a registered agent. A statutory agent accepts legal papers for the LLC. This includes service of process if someone sues the LLC.

In Arizona, your statutory agent must be:

  • An individual who has a residential address in Arizona
  • A business entity with a physical address in Arizona

Your statutory agent must have a physical street address, not a P.O. Box. They must also sign a Statutory Agent Acceptance form. This form certifies that they accept the appointment. After they sign it, you should mail or fax it back using the contact details listed on the form. There is no associated fee.

3

File Your Articles of Organization

Arizona LLC formation takes place when you file a legal document called articles of organization with the Arizona Corporations Commission. The articles of organization are like a charter that formally establish your LLC as a legal entity. This is not a complex document to draft. The state of Arizona even provides a fill-in-the-blank form for this purpose. To complete your articles of organization, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Your LLC's name and principal address
  • Your statutory agent's name and address
  • A statement on management structure (whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed)
  • A $50 filing fee

You can file your articles of organization by fax or mail by filling out a hard copy of the form. You will then mail or fax it back to the Arizona Corporation Commission. If you prefer, you can file this form online at the Arizona Corporation Commission's website. Before proceeding, you will need to log in or create a new account on the website.

Or you can kickstart your LLC formation with our trusted partner, LegalZoom. They will check if your business name is available and file your articles of organization for $0 plus state filing fees.

4

Draft an Operating Agreement

Although you are not legally required to have an LLC operating agreement, it's wise to create one. The operating agreement is a crucial legal document. It forms a contract among your LLC members. In it, you will agree on issues like:

  • LLC management
  • Ownership percentages
  • Member rights and responsibilities
  • Voting procedures
  • Procedures for adding or removing members
  • Anything else that's important to your business

An operating agreement promotes more organized operations within your business. Clear LLC rules can help to prevent future disputes among members too. Even single-member LLCs should have an operating agreement. This document helps to show that you treat your LLC as a legal entity separate from yourself. Financial institutions and professionals may also ask to see your operating agreement. You might need to show it to them to open a business bank account or provide you with services.

5

Get an EIN

You must file for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you have a multi-member LLC or plan to hire employees. An EIN is a tax identification number that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues to businesses. They use this number to identify companies for tax purposes. In this sense, it's like a Social Security number for your LLC. You will need an EIN to open a business bank account, apply for a company credit card, and hire employees. Applying for an EIN with the IRS is easy and free by fax, mail, or online.

6

Set Up Business and Tax Accounts

Your tax obligations and licensing needs will depend on the location and nature of your business. It's vital to follow licensing and tax laws to keep your business in good standing and avoid legal hassles down the line.

The Arizona Department of Revenue provides consolidated information about business taxes and licensing. Some businesses will not need licenses, but others could need several. You should check the Small Business Administration (SBA) website to see if you need federal licenses. You can find out which types of business activities are federally licensed. Visit the IRS website to learn more about your LLC's federal tax obligations.

7

Publish a Notice of LLC Formation

Although it may seem old-fashioned, Arizona requires LLCs to alert the public of their existence with a newspaper notification. You will receive an LLC approval letter from the Corporation Commission when they approve your articles of organization. Within 60 days of this approval, you must publish a notice of LLC formation in an Arizona newspaper.

According to Arizona law, your notice must appear in a newspaper generally circulated in the Arizona county where your statutory agent resides. The notice must appear for three consecutive issues. If you have any trouble publishing your notice, you should review your approval letter. The approval letter will contain instructions to help you with the publication requirement.

The exception to the publication requirement will be if your statutory agent is in Maricopa or Pima county. The Corporation Commission automatically publishes a notice on its website for those counties. In doing so, it fulfills your requirement.

8

File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR)

Note: The following BOIR requirement is currently facing legal challenges. As of February 4, 2025, filing a BOIR is voluntary until there is a final ruling. You may voluntarily file a BOIR with FinCEN or wait until the matter is resolved.

There is a new step for LLCs. After you form your LLC, you must file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) with FinCEN. If you form an LLC in 2024, you must file within 90 days from the day your LLC received notice of its filing or 90 days from the day the Secretary of State provided public notice of the LLC’s filing, whichever is earlier. If you form your LLC in 2025, the filing deadline is 30 days after receiving notice of the accepted filing.

To file a BOIR, visit the website www.fincen.gov/boi. Select “File BOIR”. You must provide information regarding the LLC, its beneficial owners, and its applicants. The LLC’s applicants are those who filed the document or directed the filing to register the LLC. A beneficial owner either has substantial control over the LLC and/or owns a minimum of 25% of the ownership interests of the LLC. 

If you need help with filing a BOIR, you can use our trusted partner, LegalZoom, to file your BOIR paperwork starting at $149.

Business and Tax Requirements in Arizona

When business owners start an LLC in Arizona, they must register for LLC tax and business accounts in the state. Arizona has a Joint Tax Application (Form JT-1) to apply for a transaction privilege tax (TPT), use tax, employer withholding, and unemployment insurance.

State Business Tax

If the LLC elects for pass-through taxation, the LLC profits go on the member's personal tax returns. Only if the LLC elects corporate status does the LLC have to pay Arizona corporate taxes on the LLC income.

State Employer Tax

You must set up employer withholding accounts and unemployment insurance if you have employees. You can set up these accounts when registering your new business with the Arizona Department of Revenue. Additionally, you must:

  • Report new hires within 20 days of their hire date with the Arizona Department of Economic Opportunity
  • Provide worker's compensation to employees

Transaction Privilege Tax

If you are a vendor, you may need to apply for the transaction privilege tax (TPT) with the Arizona Department of Revenue. The TPT is not exactly a sales tax but a tax for the privilege of selling in Arizona. You can register for a TPT account when you set up your new business with the Arizona Department of Revenue.

Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on your business operations and location determines the licenses and permits your business needs. Arizona does not have a state business license. However, your LLC may need to register for a business license or permit in the city and county in which it operates. The Arizona Commerce Authority has more information about the licenses and permits for your business.

Registration in Other States

If you want to do business in another state, contact that secretary of state's office to register as a foreign LLC. They may request a certificate of good standing to prove your LLC is compliant with Arizona's corporate laws. The fee for a certificate of good standing is $10.

Annual Requirements in Arizona

The Arizona Corporation Commission does not require your LLC to file annual reports or pay annual fees to keep your LLC in good standing.

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Arizona LLC FAQs

Disclaimer: The information presented here does not constitute legal advice or representation. It is general and educational in nature, may not reflect all recent legal developments, and may not apply to your unique facts and circumstances. Consider consulting with a qualified business attorney if you have legal questions.

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