Inc Authority offers business formation services, including Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation filing, registered agent services, and EIN/tax numbers, along with a variety of business services. It offers entrepreneurs free LLC or corporation filing: you only pay the state fees. 

Learn whether this LLC filing and incorporation service makes sense for your small business. 

Is Inc Authority a Legit Business?

Inc Authority has been in business for 32 years. It has numerous 5 star reviews and an A+ Trustpilot rating with more than 28,000 customer reviews. Positive Inc Authority reviews often mention customer support, naming specific employees who were helpful in the business formation process. 

Inc Authority’s rating with the Better Business Bureau, however, is “F” and customer complaints mention costly upsells or unexpected costs. (It’s worth noting there has been controversy over BBB ratings.)

How Inc Authority Works

Inc. Authority advertises free LLC and corporation filing. (You only pay state filing fees.) It also advertises additional services for free, including:

• State business name check
• Free registered agent service (first year)
• Digital storage and delivery of documents
• Preparation of filing documents & submission to state 
• Free Inc Success Advisor

It also advertises a free tax planning consultation and business funding analysis as well as business services like website design and business plans.

Like any business, it must make money, so there will be fees in the second year of business, or if you purchase additional services. 

Inc Authority’s terms and conditions spell out options for canceling services. For example, if you do not wish to renew registered agent services after the first year, you must cancel and pay applicable document preparation fees and filing fees. For month-to-month services, you have 14 days to cancel. It offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. 

How Fast Is Inc Authority?

The Inc Authority website clearly notes that each state has different turnaround times for registering new LLCs or corporations, ranging from one week to 6 months. If you’re in a hurry, you can purchase Premium Rush Service that guarantees it will submit your business filing within 24 hours of receipt of your order during normal business hours. States may offer express processing for a fee, and you would be responsible for that fee if you choose that service. 

Does Inc Authority Help With Other Business Entity Needs Like Taxes?

Inc Authority prides itself on offering a comprehensive suite of services for new businesses. It states on its website: “We want to be the company you go to for all your business startup needs!”

You can get an idea of first-year pricing on the Inc Authority website; however prices for many add-ons and second year costs do not appear to be listed.  

Inc Authority Alternatives

There are a number of providers offering business formation services, including the options here: 

Other alternatives include forming your business entity yourself using resources from your Secretary of State or Department of Corporations website, or working with a small business attorney who provides business formation services. 

As you can see from the list below, there are quite a few steps involved in starting a business, so working with a reputable service provider may help you avoid missing crucial steps, and let you focus on the other tasks you need to complete to get your business off the ground. 

What Do I Need to Start My Business?

Starting a business involves a number of important steps. While you can often simply start doing business as a sole proprietorship (which does not require forming an LLC or corporation), you won’t effectively separate your business and personal finances, and you could put your personal assets at risk if your business is sued. 

For that reason, it’s often smart to form a business entity such as an LLC or corporation as soon as it’s feasible. 

When you form an LLC, you’ll need to file formation documents with the state in which you form your LLC. These are often called articles of organization, a certificate of formation, or certificate of organization.

If you decide to incorporation your business, you’ll also file legal documents with your state. These are usually called Articles of Incorporation or a Certificate of Incorporation. You’ll also need to issue shares and create corporate bylaws which will be typically kept in a corporate record book. 

You may also need to register to do business in other states as a foreign business.

In some states, you must have an operating agreement. But even if it is not required in your state, it’s a good idea to create one. 

You will need to choose your business name carefully to ensure it doesn’t infringe on federal trademarks, or and you’ll need to check the name availability in your state. Some states require you use certain terms in your name, such as Limited Liability Company or LLC; or Inc. for an incorporated business. 

You may need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) as the tax id number for your business. Even if you don’t, it’s often a good idea to get one. (You can get an EIN for free from the IRS or you can let your business formation company request it for you). 

You’ll also need to decide how you want to be taxed. Some LLCs and corporations choose to be taxed as an S-Corporation to potentially save money on taxes. You’ll need to file the appropriate form, either  IRS Form 8832 or IRS Form 2553 to be taxed as an S-corp). 

You may need business licenses, a professional license, and/or occupational licenses, depending on your type of business and state requirements. 

Once you’ve formed your LLC, you’ll want to set up a business bank account. This is essential for a business entity as commingling personal and business bank accounts can jeopardize the asset protection benefits of your business entity. 

It’s also a good idea to get a business credit card to use for business expenses. Again, this helps separate your business and personal finances, and also can help you build business credit. 

Speaking of credit, you’ll want to build business credit in the name of your business. Use Nav’s step-by-step guide to learn how to establish business credit. 

If your business needs financing right away, you may want to explore small business loans, or even consider a 0% APR business credit card to finance startup expenses. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Get Nav’s free 15-step Checklist to Make Your Business Legit

The Bottom Line: Inc Authority

Inc Authority offers small business owners a competitive free LLC formation service, along with other services to help them start their business. 

If you’re thinking of using Inc Authority, just remember that it is a business and cannot give away all services. Just like you’ll need to make money in your new business, Inc Authority also needs to make money to pay employees and expenses, and make a profit. 

That means you’ll want to understand the costs of any Inc Authority services you choose, as well as the cost of those services after the first year. Review the terms and conditions of your order carefully to understand what you’re paying for now and later, and to help you choose the right filing service for your business.