How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania 

In this article, we’ll describe how to start an LLC in Pennsylvania, the steps involved, and the costs associated with starting an LLC. This is part of our larger group of articles on how to start an LLC in every state.

The Process for How to Start an LLC in Pennsylvania

Before we begin: the process to start an LLC in Pennsylvania is a combination of several steps, each as important as the others. We recommend hiring a registered agent to do this work because they have the experience and knowledge of this state’s laws and processes regarding LLCs; doing it yourself can cost you valuable time and money should you get it wrong.

Registering an LLC in Pennsylvania involves a handful of tasks: picking the name, forming the company, establishing an operating agreement, getting an EIN from the IRS, and getting licensed where necessary. After starting the LLC (and having the paperwork to prove it), we recommend establishing a bank account and phone number for your business, and we’ll cover those steps, too.

Pennsylvania LLC Fees

Pennsylvania charges various fees for LLC formation and reporting. Here are the fees:

1. Initial Filing Fee: $125.00
2. Reporting Fee: $70.00 every 10 years ending in 1 (2021, 2031, 2041, etc.)

1. Pennsylvania LLC Name Reservation

Your business name is a big part of your brand and identity, so spending some time thinking of a good one is essential. A name that is catchy and easy to remember can help you stand out from the crowd and make a good impression on potential customers.

Once you have a name in mind, though, and you’re sure it’s available, Pennsylvania has a few extra hoops for you to jump through to ensure it’s yours. In Pennsylvania, a separate (potential) Name Reservation requirement before creating the LLC (we’ll touch on that in a bit).

The LLC Designation: The business name must end in LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company. Some states allow additional variants of this formatting, including Ltd. Liability Company (in California).

Comma: a comma between your business name and LLC is optional. Both BigWares LLC and BigWares, LLC are are acceptable formats.

Name Reservation: Most states do not require the business name be explicitly reserved before the LLC formation takes place. Pennsylvania does require that, however.

Filing Methods: You can file online or by mail. It’s recommended to file online, however, because in doing so, your name approval happens much more quickly and you do not need to file separately for a name reservation.

2. Establish a Pennsylvania Registered Agent

Limited Liability Companies in Pennsylvania must have a registered agent. A registered agent is a person (age 18 years or older) or business that acts as the official point of contact for a company or organization. The registered agent’s job is to receive and send legal documents on behalf of the company, such as service of process, tax forms, and official government correspondence. The registered agent must have a physical address in Pennsylvania (a P.O. box is unacceptable) and be available during regular business hours to receive these documents. The registered agent is on all related filings for the LLC in Pennsylvania, which means their name and address will be public information. Because of that, we recommend hiring a business to act as your registered agent.

3. Create the Certificate of Formation

The Pennsylvania Certificate of Formation, sometimes called Articles of Organization in other states, is the primary document that declares and creates your LLC. You can file this document online or by mail (download PDF), which will take about a week, though doing so online generally results in instant approval.

We recommend filing online because the process is faster and is less prone to errors or paperwork getting lost. Click here to file online (e-file)

4. Create the Operating Agreement

An operating agreement for A Pennsylvania limited liability company (LLC) is a legal document describing an LLC’s ownership, administration, and organizational structure. It serves as a guide for internal administration and management of the business.

Most states do not legally require an operating agreement, but we strongly recommend it for for all LLCs because it can offer several advantages.

In an operating agreement for a Pennsylvania LLC, the following clauses are frequently present:

1. Members’ (owners’) names and addresses of the LLC
2. Each member’s percentage of interest in the LLC Management structure (e.g., whether it will be member-managed or manager-managed)
3. Rules for acquiring and disposing of ownership interests and admitting new members
4. Provisions for distributing gains and losses among the participants
5. Provisions for resolving member conflicts and impasses
6. Modification procedures for the operating agreement

An Operating Agreement is an internal document typically not filed with the state; nonetheless, if there is a dispute among the members, it may be used as evidence in court. A well-written operating agreement can prevent misunderstandings and disagreements among members and, in the event of a legal issue, can be used to establish the existence and structure of the firm.

5. Register For An EIN With The IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues an exclusive nine-digit number known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), sometimes referred to as a Federal Tax Identification Number, to identify a business entity.

Do I need an EIN? Most businesses, but not all, are required to have an EIN. You may need an EIN if you have workers, operate as a partnership or corporation, or are required to submit specific types of taxes.

How to obtain an EIN: There are three methods for requesting an EIN from the IRS:

• By mail (slowest–can take months)
• By fax (also slow)
• Online (instant)

We recommend requesting an EIN online because when your application is approved, you’ll have the option to print your EIN information immediately instead of receiving your EIN in the mail. Click here to apply for an EIN. Should you wish to request an EIN by mail or fax, fill out Form SS-4 and send it by mail to:

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Or fax it to (855) 641-6935.

6. State Taxes and Annual Reports

Pennsylvania collects state income tax from businesses, and as such, an LLC registered in Pennsylvania must also file a tax return every year with its. Additionally, Pennsylvania requires that annual reports be filed every 10 years ending in 1 (2021, 2031, 2041, etc.). Pennsylvania does not require LLCs to pay a yearly franchise tax.

Sales tax: The State of Pennsylvania collects sales tax on retail purchases made in the state. Depending on your business and Pennsylvania’s sales tax laws, you may be required to register to collect sales tax.

The state may require that you hold other licenses depending on your business type. Here are a few links that may help determine which additional licenses you need. You can also defer to the state’s department of licensing–or equivalent–for more information. Most states have one-stop-shop portals that can provide specific information based on your business type.

1. Pennsylvania Department of Licensing

You can find the relevant forms on Pennsylvania’s website linked above or at the end of this article.

7. Check If you Need Any Licenses or Certifications

Depending on your business, you may need one or more licenses to operate in Pennsylvania. Generally, a business license is always required, while you may need additional licenses for your specific business.

Pennsylvania Department of Licensing

In addition to statelicenses and permits, your business may be required to hold federal licenses. The Small Business Administration has a list of agencies that handle those licenses, depending on your industry.

8. Establish a Bank Account for the LLC

Once your LLC is formed and ready to go, we highly recommend opening a business-specific bank account. Keeping your business and personal finances and expenses separate makes accounting much more manageable and prevents potential issues with assets mixed inappropriately or unintentionally.

To open a business bank account, you’ll need the following:

1. Your LLC’s Certificate of Formation
2. The EIN you received from the IRS
3. Two forms of identification

9. Create a Business Telephone Number

In addition to keeping your business and personal finances separate, we highly recommend keeping your business and unique phone numbers separate. An independent business phone number can look more professional than giving out your cell phone. Optionally, pick your own 1-800 toll-free number to make your new business look seasoned and experienced. Once your phone number is attached to your business’s public records, you will soon start getting calls and texts from unscrupulous marketers and companies. They’ll want to give you the hard sell on their service(s) or offer high-priced business financing (speaking from experience). Keep them away from your number now, and you’ll thank yourself later.

For low-cost business phone numbers that don’t require dedicated hardware, we recommend both Phone.com (starting at $14.99/month) and VoIPStudio (starting at $4.99/month).

Helpful Links

• Pennsylvania Secretary of State Web site
• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
• Certificate of Formation, Online filing (e-file)
• Sample Operating Agreement (DOCX)

How to Start an LLC More States: