Definition

What is an LLC?

A limited liability company or an LLC is a business structure operated nationally within every state to protect its members’ assets and resources. It is not a partnership or a sole proprietorship; instead, it is a hybrid business model that conducts business with its own set of protocols and guidelines. 

LLC operates legally in such a way that it stands out from the other forms of business. It is an institution that safeguards the debts and liabilities of its clients in case the company’s brand is sued or goes bankrupt. It offers maximum support to its members and establishes a certain set of security measures towards their personnel which are eventually taxed in return as a part of their incomes.

Advantages

Advantages Of an LLC In Connecticut

The main concern of every aspiring entrepreneur before stepping into the market is to come up with an evaluated decision of choosing the right business model for their startup. It can be a heart-wrenching journey that can either do your business or cause it to break. Starting a limited liability company in Connecticut is essential as it offers convenient opportunities and solutions that can be extremely profitable for your endeavor. 

Below we will discuss the core advantages you would get from setting up an LLC in Connecticut that ranges from liability protection to tax flexibility.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages Of Forming an LLC In Connecticut

Limited liability companies are known to provide and create business opportunities that are not only financially profitable but also cater to more products and services simultaneously. As excruciating as this may sound, it is also necessary to be aware of the potential downsides you might encounter while conducting business in Connecticut. 

The applicable taxes in the state might force you to rethink your budget plan. The course of finding the right registered agent can seriously delay your inaugurating process. Once you have set up, your business would require loans and investments, while the investors tend not to get involved in the LLC market, leaving you with an exponential lack of loans.

LLC Formation

How To Form An LLC In Connecticut

A limited liability company is a sustainable source of investment as it safeguards your valuables and allows accessibility to your assets. It is an incredible way for the members to get their resources protected and engageable simultaneously. 

Are you looking to establish an LLC in Connecticut? Setting up any business structure without conventional guidance and appropriate preparation can be challenging and may force you to interact with unexpected consequences. Entrepreneurs can easily become entangled in legal situations and face bankruptcy. 

Let’s take an overview of some basic steps of how the economy of Connecticut permits you to form a company of your own and get your business started.

1. Name your LLC
2. Hire a Registered Agent
3. File the Articles Of Organisation
4. Create an LLC Operating Agreement
5. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Naming your LLC

Being original is fundamental when coming up with a unique business name. You want to avoid having a brand that looks or sounds similar to any other business entity, as it would significantly increase the chances of trademark issues. Your cooperation should have a name that distinguishes you from the rest that highlights your credibility in the market. 

The company’s name must include one of the following terms. 

• Limited Liability Company 
• Limited Company 
• Ltd. Co. 
• L.C
• LLC

Connecticut is the same in principle regarding giving your brand a name. To ensure that the name you chose is eligible, you must run it through the business entity search test at the Connecticut Business Express. You must avoid coming up with a name that is already registered to maintain the authenticity of your company. 

The name should be appealing and distinctive enough to attract the potential audience. It should also be noted that the inclusion of professional terms like treasury or state department is highly discouraged as people may find it confusing and irrelevant. 

You should also check the availability of your business name in the web domain. Sooner or later, you might launch a website, and it is best to have bought and acquired a personal URL beforehand.

Hiring a Resident Agent

Once the name has been authenticated, the next step involves nominating a professional agent who resides in Connecticut.  A resident agent is a highly skilled individual with a Connecticut business background who takes the lead in proceeding with the legal documents to the required authority to register your cooperation.

A resident agent must be eligible and reputable enough to maintain correspondence and formally deal with your company’s legal paperwork. The agent represents the business on your behalf and acts as a source of communication between the firm and the state. In order to achieve a trustworthy approach, you may also elect a candidate from your own organization.

File the Articles of Organisation

To get your LLC officially registered, the hired agent is supposed to file an official statement called the Connecticut LLC Article of Organisation. This document is filed with the Department of Assessments and Taxation and is the first step towards giving your company official recognition. 

The Article of Organisation will require some basic information about your startup, including the name of your LLC, the address of your business, the name and residential address of your registered agent, and the purpose of your company. 

All the details must be provided without any errors, or it may cause hindrance in achieving approval from the state. This document can be either submitted online or can be mailed physically. The filing process to the Secretary of State generally costs around a non-refundable amount of $120, which usually takes four to six weeks to reach completion.

Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is an internal document that specifically highlights your existence in Connecticut as a firm and outlines the management structure of the ownership and the existing members of the newly formed limited liability company. It contains the responsibilities the owner and the members should follow under a significant set of protocols. 

Although not necessary in the state of Connecticut, it is encouraged to have an operating agreement in your possession as it lays out the foundation of rules and regulations upon which each member is supposed to act. It also contains the financial details of your business, including annual profits and losses, along with the share percentage of the members of all the money generated. 

The operating agreement of every firm gives the government a comprehensive perspective of how a certain brand is being operated in its day-to-day environment and allows your business to be conducted without legal interference.

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

The final step before formally kickstarting your limited liability company is to obtain an employer identification number or an EIN. An employer identification number is an official number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to legally identify your firm and proceed with taxation purposes. The EIN is also termed a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or sometimes a Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN). 

The EIN acts as a social security number for a business structure. Once your LLC is established, you will eventually require the EIN. It makes hiring more employees much easier and more efficient and allows your cooperation to obtain bank and credit accounts. 

To attain a coherently detailed tax structure approved by the state’s taxation department, it is mandatory to get an EIN to ensure the legal protection of your members and their valuable resources. The EIN for your Connecticut LLC can be acquired freely from the IRS website via email or fax. 

Types of LLC

Which type of LLC is ideal for me?

If you’re new to forming a business and considering creating an LLC in Connecticut, it’s important to understand the different types of LLCs available. Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common LLC structures:

1. Single-member LLC: This is perfect if you’re the only owner of the business. It gives you limited liability protection, and you report the business income and expenses on your personal tax return.
2. Multi-member LLC: If you plan to have two or more owners, a multi-member LLC is a great choice. You’ll all share ownership, decide how to split profits and losses, and enjoy limited liability protection.
3. Manager-managed LLC: In this structure, one or more managers handle the day-to-day operations while the owners (members) focus on bigger decisions. The managers can be owners or outsiders.
4. Member-managed LLC: In a member-managed LLC, all owners take part in running the business. This is the default structure in Connecticut unless you specify otherwise in the operating agreement.
5. Professional LLC (PLLC): If you’re a licensed professional, like a doctor, lawyer, architect, or accountant, you can form a PLLC. This structure allows you to follow your profession’s rules and licensing requirements while enjoying the benefits of an LLC.

Remember, it’s essential to check the latest information from the Connecticut Secretary of State’s website and consult with a legal or business professional to make sure you choose the right structure for your needs.

LLC Taxes

Applicable LLC Taxes In Connecticut

Forming an LLC in Connecticut would make you eligible for all the taxes imposed on your company. These taxes are an essential legal requirement that must be taken into account when starting a business in any state. 

Failure to fulfill any of the tax obligations would lead to you suffering certain fines and penalties. As the company’s owner, preparing and filing the appropriate documents must be your utmost priority. 

Being in Connecticut would oblige you to pay the State Income tax each year. This tax is also applicable to every member of the company because the state requires you to pay a certain amount when filing personal tax returns. The state income tax rate ranges between 3% to 6.99%. 

Just like the state, being part of an LLC makes you eligible for the Federal Income tax as well, where the federal government requires a certain share of money income at the rate of per year. Apart from this, each member and manager is supposed to pay a Federal Self-employment tax to the government at the rate of 15.3% of their income. 

However, Connecticut allows limited liability companies to be treated as corporations. By submitting Form 1120 with the IRS, the LLCs file a tax return of their own with the Comptroller of Connecticut, where they are treated as a legitimate C-corporation and are required to pay 21% of their net profits to the federal government plus the 7.5% as the Connecticut corporation tax. 

As discussed earlier, your company could consist of multiple or just a single member, depending on your choice. If you decide to hire employees, you, as the employer, would become applicable for State Employer Tax. You would be held accountable to pay 1.9% to 6.8% of your income annually to the state. 

If your company is in the market of buying and selling goods and services, then you would need to collect sales and use tax from your customers. This amount is integrated into the prices of goods readily. Each year, you will be required to pay 6.35% of these earnings to the Comptroller by filing the state sales and use tax return (Form 202).

Costs

Costs Of Forming an LLC In Connecticut

The cost of forming a limited liability company varies massively as it fundamentally depends upon the state you are opting to inaugurate your business. Let’s look at the basic costs you will have to bear during the formation stage of your company. 

If you are an entrepreneur who is establishing an LLC in Connecticut  then the cost criteria would be as follows:

Comparisons

Is LLC The Best Entity For Me?

Maybe, LLC isn’t the right entity for you. Maybe it is a C-Corp. Only way to find out is to directly compare them all.