Registering a business in the United States is a state-level act, not a federal one. The paperwork is usually straightforward; the ongoing obligations are what catch first-time owners out.
The formation sequence
The order matters because each step depends on the previous one. Choose a name, file articles of organisation with the state, appoint a registered agent, then obtain an EIN and open a business bank account.
Only after that should you apply for the local licences your city or county requires.
- Confirm name availability with the Secretary of State
- File articles of organisation and pay the state fee
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical in-state address
- Apply for an EIN directly with the IRS — never through a paid intermediary
- Open a dedicated business bank account
The compliance calendar
Most states require an annual or biennial report and a franchise fee. Missing them can administratively dissolve the company, which is far more expensive to fix than to prevent.
Federal and state tax deadlines, payroll filings, and sales tax registrations depend on where and how you sell.