Start an LLC in Arizona

Every Arizona LLC needs a name that follows Arizona’s naming statutes. Your LLC name must:

• Contain the words limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation such as LLC.
• Be unique among registered business names in Arizona.
• Not contain the following words: association, corporation, incorporated, bank, deposit, credit union, trust, or trust company.  

Before you settle on a name, you’ll want to perform a business name search in Arizona. That way you’ll find out if some other Arizona business is already using the name you want.

Note: Decided on the perfect name but aren’t ready form your LLC? File an Application to Reserve Limited Liability Company Name ($10 to file by mail/in person or $45 online) with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to hold the name for 120 days.

Every Arizona LLC is legally required to appoint a statutory agent (aka registered agent). You’ll need to include your statutory agent’s name and address on your formation paperwork. Arizona’s registered agent requirements are listed in AZ Revised Statute § 29-3115.

Your Arizona registered agent must:

• Maintain a physical street address (not a P.O. Box) in Arizona.
• Be available at this address during normal business hours (9 AM to 5 PM).
• Accept service of process and other important legal mail on behalf of your business.

Learn why business pros hire a registered agent service.

You need to submit the Arizona Articles of Organization to the ACC in order to officially register your LLC with the state. You can submit the articles by mail, fax, online, or in person.

All of the information you list on this form will become part of Arizona’s public record.

You’ll need the following information to complete your articles:

• Entity type: Are you forming a standard LLC or a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)? PLLCs provide state-licensed services such as law or medicine. Check one.
• Entity name: Must include limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like LLC.
• Professional services: If you’re forming a PLLC, list the professional services it will offer.
• Statutory agent name: List the name of your registered agent.
• Statutory agent physical address: Must be a street address, not a P.O. Box.
• Statutory agent mailing Address: A P.O. Box is fine here.
• Principal address: Where you will be sent service of process and other legal notices. Tip: Hire a registered agent service and use their physical address as your principal address to protect your privacy.
• Management structure: Is your LLC going to be member-managed or manager-managed?
• Organizer: The person who fills out your Articles of Organization signs here.

The ACC will send you a Notice of Publication form after they approve your Articles of Organization. You’ll need to complete and send this form to one local newspaper in the county where your LLC is located. The notice needs to be published in three consecutive issues of the paper. Why? Because Arizona law requires new LLCs to publish a notice in a local newspaper within 60 days of formation.

Note: Publication fees range from around $60 to $300, depending on the newspaper.

Your Arizona LLC’s operating agreement should contain the details of all the legal and financial rights of the members of your LLC. Operating agreements often include how profits will be distributed, how the LLC can add or remove members, who contributes capital for the business, and even what to do if the business closes up shop. Sound daunting? Use our free lawyer-approved Arizona LLC Operating Agreement template.

While you’re almost home, there’s more work to be done to flesh-out your Arizona LLC. You’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a business bank account, and fund your LLC. We’ll show you how.

While Arizona LLCs don’t have to worry about filing annual reports, they will want to file a federal BOI Report and register the business for a state-wide tax license. We go over the requirements below.

• AZ Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT): Most LLCs in Arizona need to register for a TPT license by filing the Arizona JT-1 Application with the Department of Revenue. The license costs $12 per business location. Note that you may need a tax license from the cities your Arizona LLC operates out of, too. Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax rates vary by location and business type. Unsure if your business activity requires a TPT license? Check out this list to find out.
• BOI Report: Most Arizona LLCs are asked to complete an additional filing at the federal level called the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report. The BOI Report asks LLCs to disclose identifying information about their company applicant and all beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). File for free online with the BOI E-Filing System. Don’t feel like dealing with the BOI Report? Northwest can file for you.

*This is informational commentary, not advice. This information is intended strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. This information is not intended to create, nor does your receipt, viewing, or use of it constitute, an attorney-client relationship. More information is available in our Terms of Service.