If you’re moving to Connecticut and you want to take your LLC with you, here’s how you can continue to operate your company in CT:
How do I move my LLC to Connecticut?
To continue operating your limited liability company (LLC) in Connecticut, you have two main options:
- Register as a Foreign LLC in Connecticut
- Dissolve your current LLC and form a new Connecticut LLC
The state registration fee is the same both for new LLCs and foreign LLCs ($120). But there are pluses and minuses to both options. For example, dissolving your current LLC and starting fresh in CT can be costly and time consuming. You may have to pay a dissolution fee in your current home state, and obtain a new EIN. On the other hand, starting fresh as a new Connecticut LLC may save you from the double taxation that comes with operating a business in more than one state.
What does it mean to register as a foreign CT LLC?
Registering as a foreign LLC in Connecticut means your company stays registered with its original state of formation, but registers as a foreign entity in Connecticut, which allows your LLC to legally conduct business in The Nutmeg State. (“Foreign,” in this sense, just means out-of-state.) To register a foreign entity in Connecticut, you’ll have to use CT’s online portal (CT.gov) and complete the Foreign Registration Statement form.
The upside of foreign registration is you won’t have to complete new formation papers or create new business accounts from scratch. The downside is your LLC will be registered in two states, and will thus have to pay fees in two states (even if you don’t actually do any business in your state of formation).
Does Connecticut offer LLC domestication?
Unfortunately, no. Domestication is a process in which an LLC moves from one state to another with assistance from that state, meaning the LLC’s formation papers are transferred from one state to another. It’s often the easiest and most cost-effective way of moving a business to a new state, though not all states offer domestication.
If you’re not sure what method might be best for moving your LLC to Connecticut, it’s a good idea to check in with a business attorney or CPA.