Business setup, in order
What do you still need to set up?
Answer a few quick things and we'll map your whole build path, every step a new business needs, in the order the government actually requires them, and which ones we can take off your plate. Nothing is saved anywhere.
Business setup · intake
01/05
What are you setting up?
Most new businesses choose an LLC, liability protection with far less paperwork than a corporation.
Questions
Common questions
In what order do I set up a business?+
Generally: form your entity with the state, then get your EIN, then open a business bank account, then handle any licenses your work requires, and LLCs and corporations file an annual report to stay in good standing. The order matters because the EIN application has to match a business that already exists. The tool above sequences it for your exact situation.
Do I need to form my LLC before I get an EIN?+
If you're forming an LLC or a corporation, yes, form it with the state first, because the EIN is issued to your registered legal name and the two have to match. Sole proprietors are the exception: you can get an EIN (or just use your SSN) without forming anything.
Which of these can I do myself for free?+
All of them. The IRS charges nothing for an EIN, and you can file your formation directly with your state for just the state's own fee. Our fee is for preparing the paperwork, filing it, and standing behind it, the free, do-it-yourself option is always yours.
Do I need to file a BOI report?+
Under FinCEN's 2025 interim final rule, entities created in the United States are currently exempt from the beneficial-ownership (BOI) report. The requirement now generally applies to certain foreign entities registered to do business in the U.S. We won't sell you a filing you don't need; confirm your own situation before paying anyone for one.
Can you handle all of this for me?+
We prepare and file the formation, the EIN, S-corp and C-corp election forms, and annual reports, and we hand you a banking kit for the account you open yourself. The bank account and any licenses are yours to do; we point you the right way. Everything we file is backed by our money-back guarantee.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Standard Business Services LLC is a private filing company, not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. You can file any of these yourself directly with the government.