Form a single-member LLC and set it up for taxes
A live single-member LLC: a name cleared with your Secretary of State, a registered agent chosen, articles of organization filed and approved, a free EIN issued by the IRS, a signed operating agreement, the FinCEN beneficial-ownership question settled, and a business bank account open with the resolutions the bank asks for.
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Who it's for
U.S.-resident freelancers, contractors, and e-commerce sellers formalising a side business into a legal entity. It fits if you are the sole owner, have a Social Security number, and want liability separation, a cleaner client presence, or a business bank account under an entity name. It does not fit non-resident owners, multi-member teams, or anyone who needs an S-corp election this year.
About this playbook
This guide takes a U.S. resident from decision to done: you confirm an LLC beats staying a sole proprietor, look up your state’s exact fees and forms, clear a name with the Secretary of State, and file your articles of organization. Then you get your EIN free from the IRS in one sitting, sign a single-member operating agreement, and check whether the FinCEN beneficial-ownership report applies to you. You finish by assembling the packet your bank requires and opening the business account. The spine of the path is identical in every state; only form names, fees, and wait times change, so the guide has you look up your state’s specifics instead of guessing. It does not cover S-corp tax elections, multi-member LLCs, non-resident owners, annual reports, or ongoing bookkeeping and tax filing — those are separate guides.
What you'll do, step by step
Free preview — these steps are open to read in full before you buy.
Phase 1: Decide and gather what the filing needs
0/5Confirm the single-member LLC is the right vehicle, learn your state’s real fees and forms, pick a name the Secretary of State will accept, choose your registered agent, and collect the documents every filing needs. Nothing here costs money beyond the state fee you will pay in phase 2.
- 30 min
- 20 min
- 45 min
Phase 2: File your articles of organization with the state
3 stepsPhase 3: Get your EIN and sign your paperwork
4 stepsPhase 4: Open your business bank account
3 stepsDetails
What you need first
You are a U.S. resident with a Social Security number, a street address where you can receive mail, a personal bank account, and money to cover the state filing fee (typically $40–$500). You should have a few candidate names for the LLC in mind. If you are unsure whether an LLC beats staying a sole proprietor, complete step 1 before paying any fee or buying any formation service.
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About the creator
I cover starting a company, from paperwork to first customer. My playbooks say plainly what to do first and where the time goes.
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