5 Best LLC Formation Services in Iowa

Most people don’t realize how much work goes into starting a business. The first step is having an idea. Then you need to determine if your idea can succeed based on what people want and/or need. After that, you need to create a business plan and choose a business structure. This is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make.

There are several kinds of business structures, such as sole proprietorship or corporation. Many Iowa businesses choose an LLC, or Limited Liability Company because it offers the best of all worlds. The LLC keeps your personal assets separate from your business assets. There are a lot of other advantages, too, but you need to make sure you do everything right to get all the protection and benefits you need.

Disclaimer: the rates and offerings below are subjected to changes made by the service providers.

Basics of an LLC

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular business structure among small business owners due to its flexibility and benefits. Here are some key points about LLCs:

Overall, an LLC combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits and operational flexibility of a partnership or sole proprietorship, making it a favorable choice for many entrepreneurs.

Forming an LLC in Iowa can be easy. Iowa uses the Fast Track Tracking System to keep track of filings. You can do the filings yourself, and you need to have a registered agent, so the State of Iowa will have a contact for questions and correspondence. You need to ensure that all your paperwork is in order and that you are filing correctly. 

However, using one of the top LLC services to assist you can save you time, trouble, and money while saving you trouble in the long run. 

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands offers almost two dozen important services that your business can use. Individuality is the focus because what works for your small business may not help another small business. The goal is to assist you with your goals so that you are independent and can watch your dreams grow along with your business.

Services and offerings

Tailor Brand’s services offer a wide variety of products to cover all your needs. Here are some of the most important services:

Pricing 

There are many different pricing options, starting with free assistance in creating your LLC. There are 3 subscription levels, 

starting with Lite, which only charges the required state fees (which are $50 for Iowa) for LLC formation services. 

The Essential plan only costs $199/year plus the required state fees, and adds more comprehensive services such as expedited processing, annual compliance services, and an operating agreement.

The Elite plan adds a full branding and marketing package, everything from a logo and a domain for only $249/year plus required fees.

Many of the services offered by Tailor Brands are complementary legal services, such as helping with getting a registered agent, creating an operating agreement, obtaining licenses & permits, tax consultancy, insurance, and more.

Overall

Because of our positive customer engagement, there are over 8,000 customer reviews on the Tailor Brands website. Customers rate us overall excellent, and many of the reviews talk about how patient and knowledgeable the staff are here at Tailor Brands. One of the most important qualities to look for if you need help with your business is customer service, and here at Tailor Brands makes a point of engaging every customer with patience and positivity.

Northwest Registered Agent

The NorthWest Registered Agent Service serves over 3 million businesses around the US, assisting small businesses in most states. They are focused on this area and have experience helping businesses get started and keep operating on a day-to-day basis.

Services and offerings

Every customer at NorthWest Registered Agent Service is assigned a Corporate Guide to personalize their experience. That guide will stay with you at every stage, even after the initial LLC formation. NorthWest offers all the basic services to help you file your LLC and create your online business presence.

Pricing

NorthWest has a flat rate service, so you know upfront how much you are going to pay. $39 +filing fees will get you started, and that includes a free domain and website, business address, and operating agreement. You can pay $125/year for up to 4 states with an extra $100/year for each additional state, not including the required state fees. You can also sign up on the website and get free legal forms, such as Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and Meeting Minutes.

Overall

NorthWest offers a personalized experience with privacy being one of their main concerns. If you plan on operating in multiple states, NorthWest offers a smooth plan to get you off the ground.

ZenBusiness

Zen Business was started by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. They understand how happy you can be when you are your own boss, and their focus is on helping individuals live out their dreams.

Services and offerings

At Zen Business, you can find all the services you need to file and maintain your LLC, including business forms, filing, and banking.

Pricing

You can get a free LLC filing (not counting state fees) with the Starter package but you can also get a yearly subscription. For $199/year, you can get the Pro plan for faster filing, an operating agreement, and an Employee Identification Number. The Premium Plan is $349/year and adds extra business documents.

Zen Business also has financial services, and you can receive ongoing help for reasonable prices. There are different levels, but you can get help with banking, bookkeeping, and taxes.

Overall

Zen Business is different because they want to help you become independent. Besides their LLC services, Zen Business offers webinars and other educational services.

RocketLawyer

At Rocket Lawyer, they believe that everyone deserves competent legal representation. Legal services should not just be available for the wealthy, so they offer different kinds of assistance for business and personal needs.

Services and offerings

Do you need a registered agent? A will? Help with your taxes? Rocket Lawyer utilizes different kinds of professionals to offer a wide array of services.

Pricing

To help you make up your mind, Rocket Lawyer offers a free trial. If you decide that you want to stay on, the annual membership is $239.88/year. The membership comes with several benefits, such as Document Defense and legal and tax assistance. Members also get half off professional services, like trademark and tax preparation.

Overall

Rocket Lawyer offers reasonably priced legal assistance with personal and business issues. This kind of membership is great for someone who has a lot of legal questions and needs to talk to an attorney on a regular basis.

Swyft Filings

The owner of Swyft Filings is an attorney who realized that life would be easier with more automation of simple tasks. The goal of the company is to help individuals avoid excessive fees when taking care of their small businesses.

Services and offerings

Your LLC will need many different kinds of documents, and Swyft can help you with preparing and filing them. You can also sign up to have a registered agent.

Pricing

Fiing starts at $0 + filing fees, for the Basic service. For $199/year, you can get the Standard package where you can get Employee Identification Number and other services. The Premium service, at $299/year, offers the fastest speeds and other benefits, such as a free Statement of the Incorporator to assist with opening a business account.

Overall

Swyft Filings has already helped tens of thousands of small businesses and they offer reliable, practical help with filing and maintaining your LLC.

Can you form your LLC in Iowa by yourself?

You can create an LLC in Iowa by yourself on the state website. If you do decide to go that route, you will need to learn all of the legal ins and outs on your own. You will also need to learn about the tax implications and how to keep track of your business so you can do your tax filings correctly. Even if you decide to do everything on your own, the State of Iowa will hold you responsible for doing everything correctly. If you make mistakes, your small business could suffer and you may even be open to liability.

LLC formation services will assist you in all those tasks. There is nothing you can come up with that an experienced LLC formation company has not seen before.

Conclusion

Using an LLC service won’t just get you started; but it can help cut through red tape and get you to your business destinations faster.Getting started is easier than you think, especially if you have help. Feel free to reach out to us today so you can get started.