Ohio Business LLC Filing: What You Need to Know
Ohio Business LLC Filing
Setting up an LLC in Ohio is a relatively straightforward process. With this guide, you can learn about the paperwork and information needed for filing, fees associated with the process, and the state laws that govern your LLC. Getting started on this journey is easy – all you need to do is get informed.
Decide on a Business Name.
When you form an LLC, you need to choose a name for your business. It’s important to choose something that is distinct and can easily be found by customers. Ohio state law requires that the words “Limited Liability Company” or the lettering "LLC" must appear in your company's name in order for it to be legally recognized as an LLC. You can also check with the Secretary of State website to ensure that the name does not conflict with any existing businesses before filing your paperwork.
Designate a Registered Agent.
According to Ohio state law, LLCs must designate a Registered Agent in order to process certain legal requests and documents. A Registered Agent is an individual or business entity that receives legal notices, such as service of process, tax forms, and other official government notifications on behalf of the company. The Registered Agent should have a physical address in Ohio and be available during normal business hours. This Office is responsible for accepting the required paperwork used to form an LLC in Ohio.
File the Articles of Organization.
The first step to forming an LLC in Ohio is filing the Articles of Organization. This document serves as the official paperwork to form your business, and must include: the name of the company, purpose of business, Registered Agent name and address, mailing address for LLC (if different from Registered Agent),the name and address of each Organizer, and details about management. Once this is completed, it should be filed with the Secretary of State's Office in order to officially establish your Ohio LLC.
Set up an Operating Agreement.
Once the Articles of Organization form has been filed, it's important to set up an Operating Agreement for your business. This document outlines the ownership structure, financial parameters and rules for decision making within the LLC. Without this agreement serving as a governing document, Ohio law dictates how business decisions will be made and what happens if disagreements arise. Setting up an Operating Agreement will ensure that all owners are on the same page in terms of expectations and decision making across various situations. it also assists in limiting the owners' liabilty in the event of a lawsuit. Having this contract in place will also offer important protection in case of legal disputes or issues. You can reach our law firm for direction at (614) 221-9800.
Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation.
Once your LLC has been filed, the next step is to register with the Ohio Department of Taxation. This can be done either online at tax.ohio.gov or by mailing in a completed Registration for Business Activity form. The form is also available for download at the same website. It’s important to note that an LLC registered in Ohio must also file a bi-annual report each year in April and October containing information about the members and owners of the company as well as any financial statements associated with it. Failure to do so may result in fines or dissolution of the business. To learn about how our Ohio lawyers can help, call us at 614-221-9800.