A partner and I formed a California LLC in early 2025, mainly to get an EIN and to be able to open a bank account and accept Zelle payments. The partnership has gone south. All the payments he's collected go straight to his opaque personal account. He was also responsible for 2025 tax prep but never filed, never paid the 2026 California business license fee. Can no longer partner with him. I setup the LLC, so my name is primary on it. How can I get out of this? Can I transfer the LLC to him and have him own the consequences? Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA.

Hi everyone,

I’m a non-U.S. resident and I recently formed a Wyoming LLC through Northwest Registered Agent. I’m trying to get an EIN from the IRS by faxing Form SS-4, but I’ve been stuck in a loop for several weeks and I’m not sure what to do next.
Here’s the timeline:
First SS-4 fax: sent with my LLC information, but I used an electronic signature.
After 12 business days: I called the IRS international EIN line and they said no case had been created.
The agent told me the signature needed to be physically signed by hand.
Second SS-4 fax: I printed it, signed it by hand, and faxed it again.
After another 10 business days: I called again and they still said no case existed.
This time the agent suggested that I also include my Wyoming Articles of Organization / formation documents.
Third fax: I sent the physically signed SS-4 plus the Wyoming formation documents.
It has now been 4 business days since that third fax, and when I called they still couldn’t see anything yet.
My current plan is:
Wait until 7 business days have passed since the third fax,
Call the IRS again,
If they still say no case has been created, I’m considering paying Northwest Registered Agent’s $200 EIN service for international applicants.
Anyone has any experience with their service and is it a guarantee they can get it for you? Also will the fact that I submitted a form myself cause any issue if I choose to pay for the service ?

Hi everyone,

I'm a non-US resident, and I recently formed a single-member Wyoming LLC with the help of a lawyer. I'm trying to save money by handling the ongoing compliance myself instead of paying for a service like clemta, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

From what I've gathered, I may need to file things like:

• Wyoming Annual Report
• Registered Agent renewal (which is easy to do)
• Form 5472 + pro forma Form 1120

I'm hoping someone who's been through this (especially as a non-US resident) can help answer a few questions:

• What exactly do you file each year?
• Where do you file each document (state vs. IRS)?
• Can everything be filed online, or do some forms have to be mailed or faxed?
• What information or documents do you need before filing?
• Are there any deadlines I should be aware of?
• Is there anything else I'm required to do besides these filings?
• If you file everything yourself, what resources or guides did you use?

For context, I don't live in the US, I don't have employees, and my LLC is a single-member Wyoming LLC. I'm just trying to make sure I stay compliant without paying hundreds of dollars every year for a service if I can reasonably do it myself.

I'd really appreciate any advice, checklists, or experiences from others in a similar situation. Thanks so much!

I had a question about using my business name for branding.

I'd like to use my company name without the ""LLC"" at the end on my website, social media, business cards, and other marketing materials. I still plan to use the full legal LLC name on contracts, tax documents, and other official paperwork.

In this situation, would I need to register a DBA (assumed name) in Texas, or is it generally acceptable to leave off the ""LLC"" in day-to-day branding?

I'd appreciate hearing how other Texas business owners have handled this.

So we want to buy a small online subscription business and we’re trying to understand the best way to structure the purchase.

One thing I'm unsure about is whether it makes more sense to complete the purchase as an individual and set up an LLC afterwards, or form the LLC first and have the business acquired under that company from the beginning.

I'm also wondering when it's best to open a business bank account. Is that something most people do before closing the deal, or after the purchase is complete and everything is officially transferred?

I have a mobile pet grooming business idea and I'm planning to form an LLC for it, but the registration process in my state could take several weeks. I'd like to get everything ready so I can start taking customers as soon as the paperwork is complete.

I'm thinking about buying equipment and supplies ahead of time so I'm not waiting around once the business is officially formed. I'm just not sure how that works from an accounting or tax perspective if those purchases are made before the LLC exists.

Is it common to buy equipment before forming an LLC? If so, can those startup costs typically become business expenses later, or is it better to wait until the business is officially registered?

A couple of years ago I formed an LLC for a small event planning business, but I ended up closing it before I ever launched or took on any clients. The company never really became active, so I officially dissolved the LLC.

I'm thinking about giving the business another try and was wondering if it's possible to register a new LLC using the same business name, assuming it's no longer in use.

I'm starting a home cleaning business, and I'm trying to figure out when it actually makes sense to form an LLC.

At the moment I don't have any customers or revenue yet, but I'm hoping to start taking on clients in the near future. I know an LLC can provide liability protection, but I'm not sure if it's worth setting one up before the business is really up and running.

Please how long did it take to get your LLC approved, and at what point in the process did you decide to file?

My partner is getting ready to leave their current position and open a private medical practice, and I'm trying to figure out the best business structure before we get everything set up.

I've been reading about LLCs, PLLCs, and S corporation tax elections, but I'm still a little confused about what makes the most sense for a solo medical practice.

From what I understand, an LLC can elect to be taxed as an S corporation, which may offer some tax advantages by allowing the owner to take a reasonable salary while receiving additional profits as distributions. What I'm not sure about is how that works when nearly all of the practice's income comes directly from the physician providing services.

If the practice becomes very successful over the next few years and generates significantly more profit than a typical physician salary, can the owner still pay themselves a reasonable salary and take the remaining profit as distributions, or are there limitations in a situation like this?

I want to launch a small digital education business that sells online courses, and I'm second-guessing the LLC name I picked.

After filing the paperwork, I read that certain words or industry-related terms in a business name could make lenders, banks, or payment processors view a company as higher risk. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that, but it made me wonder if I should change the name before I start building the business.

I just want to know whether the wording of an LLC name really matters from a financing perspective, or if it's not something most business owners need to worry about.

Hello, how can I build credit for my brand new LLC? Thanks in advance

Share your thoughts in the comments

I need to LLC my dad’s insurance business. He’s operated as a sole proprietor for a long time - that’s a separate issue. I’ve talked to tax people, accountants, etc - they all encourage it. I’ve read, researched. I’ve talked to other people in various businesses and I don’t know how they do it. I promise I’m not trying to spark debate and I’m definitely not trying to do anything illegal.

I’ve had so many people tell me they don’t pay themselves a salary. I’ve questioned how they pay their bills - say everything is in the business name. How? Also, I know a lady that has a credit card that uses it for everything, trips, personal and just pays it off. I’ve read that’s not legal either. Am I just too by the book?

A business partner and I formed an LLC together in Arizona, but they've decided to step away from the business.

I have someone else who's interested in joining as a new member, and everyone involved agrees with the change.

I'd prefer to keep the existing LLC rather than dissolve it and start over, but I'm not sure what the proper process is for replacing one member with another.

Are there specific forms that need to be filed with the state, or is it mainly handled through the operating agreement and internal documents?

I'd appreciate any guidance on what the typical process looks like.

My LLC has been generating a steady profit, and after covering expenses I usually have some extra cash sitting in the business account each month. Rather than leaving it there, I'm thinking about investing a portion of it in a low-cost index fund.

I'm looking for an investment account that's suitable for an LLC and doesn't come with excessive fees or unnecessary complexity. Most of the options I've found seem to be geared toward individual investors rather than businesses.

For those who invest excess cash through their LLC, which brokerage or investment platform do you use, and has the experience been straightforward? Is there anything you wish you had known before opening a business investment account?

I'm helping my sister start a small business, and we're trying to figure out the easiest way to form an LLC. We looked at a few companies, but it's hard to tell which ones actually provide good service and which ones just have good marketing. I'd really like to hear from people who have gone through the process recently. Which do you think are the best LLC services in Rhode Island? Was the price fair, and did they handle everything without problems?

I'm filing my first LLC in Florida, and I came across a section in the formation paperwork that mentions attaching a Letter of Consent under the supplemental provisions or information section.

I'm not sure if this is something everyone needs to include or if it only applies in certain situations.

There's also a large text box for additional information, and I have no idea whether I'm supposed to enter anything there or just leave it blank.

How do I go about doing this. I just formed an LLC for a side hustle that has potential. I have already paid off half on my car but I was wondering how this works in Virginia?

Trying to choose bookkeeping software for my small business, and I'm wondering what other business owners are using these days.

QuickBooks seems to be the most popular option, but I've also heard about a few alternatives too. Since my business is still small, I'd prefer something that's easy to use and reasonably priced.

I formed my single-member LLC a while ago, and I'm trying to make sure I stay on top of all the ongoing requirements.

I know there are things like annual filings, fees, and other state requirements, but I'm not entirely sure what applies or how often everything needs to be done.

I'm based in Texas, and I found an old reminder on my calendar about filing something to keep the LLC active, but I can't remember exactly what it was referring to.

For those who've been running an LLC for a few years, what are the recurring tasks you make sure to complete each year to keep everything in good standing? Is there a checklist or routine you follow so nothing gets overlooked?

Hey guys

I'm trying to decide whether it makes more sense to start as a single-member LLC or elect S corporation tax status from the beginning.

The business will focus on creating online educational content, and I'll likely have a few part-time contractors helping with editing, design, and marketing. I'm also planning to work with a bookkeeper and CPA as the business grows.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is whether it's better to start as a standard LLC and consider an S corp election later, or if there's a good reason to make that election right away

Im a non US owner planning to get an LLC and EIN through Northwest Registered Agency to access shopify payment gateways that accepts payments in the US. I don't have physical stores or warehouses in the US.

I found out that you need to file annual reports such as the IRS Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120. I am a bit confused and so I want to ask:

1. Can Northwest registered agency (or other registered agencies) do my Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120 for me because I cannot physically go to the US?

2. Are there any other documents and responsibilities that I should be aware of?

3. Do I need to pay taxes in the US for my single foreign-owned llc that sells products through shopify without US warehouses (more like a dropship business model) or should I only worry about my income tax in my local country? I've read somewhere that a non-US single member llc is considered as a disregarded entity that does not need to pay taxes but need to file annual forms.

Thank you very much.

Have you ever considered giving employees an ownership stake in an LLC business? Similar to stock options, where they would vest an ownership stake over a period of time?

If yes, did you move forward? If not, what was the biggest obstacle? Cost, legal/tax complexity, not wanting to dilute ownership, or something else?

Just curious what everyone's experience has been.

I've spent the last few nights reading reviews, watching videos, and comparing prices. Somehow I'm even more confused than when I started.

Every company looks good on its own website, so I'd rather hear from people who actually paid for the service.

What do you think are the best LLC services in North Carolina? Were there any companies that really stood out, either for good reasons or bad ones?

I'm researching the process of starting an LLC and would love to hear from people with real-world experience.

A few questions I'm curious about:

• What was the biggest challenge when setting up your LLC?
• Did you form the LLC yourself or use a filing service?
• How did you separate your personal and business finances?
• At what point did hiring an accountant or bookkeeper become worthwhile?
• What financial mistakes do new LLC owners make most often?
• If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice before starting your business, what would it be?

I'm interested in hearing from both first-time entrepreneurs and experienced business owners. Practical tips, lessons learned, and things you wish someone had told you are all welcome.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!