How to Form an LLC in Utah in 7 Steps

The cost of an LLC in Utah can be different for business owners. Fees and taxes may vary according to the LLC's type of business, tax and license requirements, and the amount of income an LLC generates. A list of common fees for Utah LLCs can be found on the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code website.

The nonrefundable fee to file your certificate of organization and form your LLC in Utah is $54.

To maintain your LLC, you must renew your LLC every year by filing an annual report/renewal and paying the $18 fee. If you need to make changes to your LLC outside of the annual renewal, there's a $13 fee. You may also have to pay application and renewal fees for business licenses and permits.

Utah permits the formation of a few different kinds of LLCs.

• Single-member LLC: A single-member LLC has one owner who is in control of the business. If a single-member LLC does not elect to be treated as a corporation, it's considered a “disregarded entity" and taxed like a sole proprietorship. The owner reports the LLC's income and expenses on their personal tax return.
• Multi-member LLC: A multi-member LLC is owned by two or more members who share control of the business. The LLC can be member-managed where members handle the operations of the business themselves. Or they can hire outside management to run the business and be manager-managed instead.
• Professional LLC: Utah allows the formation of professional LLCs (PLLCs). PLLCs are formed in Utah by one or more individuals or entities through a written agreement that lays out the LLC's management, organization, interests, and profit or loss distribution. A PLLC provides services that require a professional license and benefit the members with its limited liability protection.
• Series LLC: Utah also allows the creation of Series LLCs, which must be registered as such. A Series LLC can create divisions (or series) within itself with each having its own limited liability. This means that the series are usually not responsible for the debts of another series or the master LLC.

A certificate of organization is the document filed to establish your LLC as a valid business entity in Utah. This certificate is sometimes required to open a business bank account or apply for business loans.

You should be able to access your certificate as part of your initial filing with the Department of Commerce. You can also get a scanned copy by doing a business entity search and selecting your LLC. If you need a certified copy, you must make your request in writing. The fee for certified documents is $12.

A certificate of good standing or certificate of existence is an official document issued by Utah verifying that your LLC is authorized to transact business in Utah and is in compliance with all state requirements.

You can obtain a copy by searching for your LLC on the business entity search. Here you can access a scanned image of your certificate or order a copy. You can also make a written request in person, by mail, or by fax if you want a certified copy. The fee is $12.

Here are the requirements for forming an LLC in Utah:

• Choose an available and valid business name
• Select a registered agent with a physical street address in Utah
• File the certificate of organization (and pay the $54 fee)
• Draft an operating agreement (not required under Utah law)
• Register with the State of Utah Tax Commission and apply for required tax licenses
• Obtain required business licenses and permits

An LLC is appealing because it allows business owners to protect their personal assets from the liabilities of the business. Advantages of choosing an LLC for your business include:

• Liability protection for members from the obligations of the LLC
• Restrictions on the number and types of shareholders applicable to an S corporation do not apply to the owners of an LLC
• Members of an LLC can participate in management to a greater extent than limited partners
• No requirement to hold annual meetings or to comply with the many operational restrictions imposed upon corporations.

Each year your LLC is active in Utah, you are required to file an annual report/renewal with the state and pay the $18 filing fee. You also need to notify the state of any changes to your LLC in your annual report or by filing a registration information change for a $13 fee. You should renew any required business licenses or permits and stay current on federal and state tax obligations.

No. You are required to file a Utah certificate of organization to register your LLC as a valid business entity in the state. An operating agreement is an optional internal document used to establish member interests and rules and regulations for your business. You do not submit an operating agreement to the state.

If you want to create an “assumed name" for your LLC, you can use the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code online doing business as (DBA) service to register a fictitious name. You can also use the business name registration/DBA application form if you want to register your DBA by mail, by fax, or in person. The filing fee is $22 and once approved, your DBA is registered for 3 years.

Depending on the type of business you conduct, your LLC may be required to obtain specific tax licenses from the State Tax Commission. You also need to contact the city, town, or county where your LLC is located to find out if you need to apply for any local licenses or permits. If your LLC engages in a professional service or certain occupation, you can check with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, for more information about licensing and regulations.

Yes. You can start an LLC with an online filing by creating an account with the OneStop Business Registration portal. You will be given UtahID login credentials to register your new business. Sound too complicated? LLC owners can make it easy by using an LLC formation service company to handle the business formation process in Utah.

The mailing address is:

State of Utah
Department of Commerce
Division of Corporations & Commercial Code
PO Box 146705
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6705

The physical address is:

160 S 300 E
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Business day hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Yes. Some business owners choose to designate a registered agent service to receive service of process when their LLC is a party in a legal action such as a lawsuit or summons. Benefits of using such service include privacy protection, keeping your business compliant with state laws and regulations, and ensuring receipt of legal documents, notices, and other important mail.

A domestic LLC in Utah refers to an LLC that conducts business in the state of Utah where it was originally organized and formed.

If you want to do business in another state, you can register there as a foreign LLC. Generally, this requires you to:

• Do a name search in the new state to confirm the availability of your LLC's name
• Submit a foreign LLC registration application
• Provide proof of your LLC's good standing in its home state (usually with a certificate of good standing or existence)
• Pay the filing fee
• Register for required business taxes, licenses, and permits

A foreign LLC is organized and formed under the laws of a state other than Utah. You can register a foreign LLC in Utah online, in person, by mail, or by fax by filing a foreign registration statement and paying the $54 fee. Be sure to include the state or country where your LLC was originally formed on the foreign registration statement.

If your LLC ceases business operations, you can cancel or dissolve your LLC in Utah by filing a statement of dissolution or statement of termination. You need to include the following on either statement:

• Your LLC name and Utah entity number
• The effective date of dissolution/termination
• Member or manager signature (or person winding up the LLC if there are no members or managers)

If you're dissolving a foreign LLC, you must also submit an application for tax clearance to the Tax Commission.

No. An anonymous LLC does not disclose the LLC owners' names in the certificate of organization, a public record. The only states that currently permit the formation of anonymous LLCs are Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Entrepreneurs may use a professional registered agent service to retain their privacy and prevent their personal information from being included in formation documents.