In a Nutshell
pros
- $0 + state fee for filing LLCs & Corporations
- Free year of Registered Agent Service ($99/ year after that)
- No hidden fees or automatic charges
cons
- Not intended for international companies
- Pushes you to upgrade to paid services
Best for?
Anyone looking to start a business within a tight budget is sure to appreciate Inc Authority’s free business formation service.
What Does Inc Authority Provide?
As hinted by its name, Inc Authority is all about incorporating new businesses. This is an all-inclusive service, which can file - on your behalf - all the paperwork you need to register a corporation or LLC.
But what Inc Authority really wants to do is work with you post-incorporation. Once you’ve used this service to submit paperwork to your state attorney, Inc Authority anticipates that you will keep coming back for your other legal needs. You can look to Inc Authority for website creation, business credit and funding, tax consulting, estate planning, and even business coaching.
For New Businesses
If you decide to open a business entity through Inc Authority, it won’t simply file paperwork on your behalf. For starters, it’ll make sure that no one else has registered an entity with the same name as yours via a 5 Point Name Check.
Inc Authority will also store your registration documents digitally so that you don’t lose track of any important forms you need later. And, on top of that, it will provide you with a set of templates to record your initial resolution and meeting minutes. Be sure to take advantage of these perks, it’s important to make an official record of your company structure as early as possible.
For Businesses That Want a Premium Service
As we’ll discuss below, Inc Authority offers its basic corporation and LLC creation services for free. However, it does sell a range of premium add-ons for every company creation package. The majority of users incorporating for the first time should consider purchasing one or more of these, as they can significantly reduce the legal workload associated with starting up a new company.
For most, Inc Authority’s tax ID number add-on will be a worthwhile investment. An EIN/Federal Tax ID Number is legally required for any business founded in the USA. If you select this option, Inc Authority will contact the IRS on your behalf to register your organization, saving you time to spend on more important matters.
You can also get a hold of a custom records package which includes a record book as well as ownership and stock certificates. For obvious reasons, a record book is vital if you want to start your business on firm legal ground, and most banks will want to see certificates before opening a business checking account.
As well as record packages and tax registration, other Inc Authority paid-for extras include website domain registration, state business licensing and expedited processing options. While these aren’t necessary for every business, it’s nice to have the option.
For Individuals
Although Inc Authority is an unashamedly business-focused platform, it’s still got plenty to offer individual customers. When you register a personal corporation through Inc Authority, you’ll gain benefits such as protection from lawsuits, asset safeguarding, and tax deductions. S and C corporations - both of which can be registered with Inc Authority - are generally better suited to individuals than are LLCs.
Pricing Plans for Entity Formation
With Inc Authority, you can opt for 2 different entity creation packages. With the first, you incorporate for free and then pay separately for key add-ons such as tax registration. You can check out a break-down of the charges below:
However, if you’d like to purchase multiple add-ons, the second option, which is picking up one of Inc Authority’s start-up bundle packages, may be more affordable. These range from $399 to $799.
Inc Authority Background
Since its founding, Inc Authority has been on a mission to assist small and large businesses alike, providing the kind of legal services - that you could normally only get face-to-face - via the web. Over the years, it has provided filing services and advice to well over 117,000 organizations.
A quick look at Inc Authority’s Trustpilot page demonstrates how consistently it manages to achieve the goals it sets for itself. Inc Authority holds a 95% 5-star rating, with many users commenting on the attentive, personalized customer support they received.
What Customers Say About Inc Authority
There are over 3,000 5-star reviews for Inc Authority on TrustPilot. Here are just a few of the wonderful things customers have to say about this service.
- “Inc Authority set up my first LLC for me. And yes, it was a free service! No scams, no pushy sales reps, no catches. Just good honest folks operating a top-notch business.”
- Holistic Health and Gardens LLC - “My assigned consultant did a great job in knowing my industry and providing alternatives that both protected my interest and decreased my tax liability”
- William Preston - “You guys are terrific and it was a pleasure doing business creating my LLC and EIN along with a laundry list of other things Inc Authority provided me with.”
- Michael Grant
Customer Service
You can get in touch with Inc Authority customer service reps during PT working hours over the phone.
A very basic level of sales support is included with the free entity-creation package. However, most users would do well to purchase the INC Protection Advisor premium add-on which gets you unlimited phone and online support for things like IRS audits, accounting, and payroll funding.
Inc Authority FAQs
What is the benefit of incorporating through Inc Authority?
As a business owner, it’s hard to do everything at once. While it is technically possible to register a corporate entity by yourself, it’s not easy unless you’re an expierenced lawyer. There are lots of small details you could miss, so using Inc Authority will free up your time to focus on bigger picture matters.
Why should I create an LLC?
A Limited Liability Company or LLC is a blend of partnership and corporation and is considered a flexible format for business entities. LLCs offer the same personal and financial security benefits that come with other company types.
What does Inc Authority’s Rush Service Do?
If you opt for express delivery, Inc Authority will prioritize the creation of your business over those of other customers. If one is available, it will also use the expedited registration service offered by your state, resulting in a faster turnaround.
Bottom Line
Do you want to create a corporate entity for free with a no-frills service? If you do, as evidenced by my Inc Authority review, this legal services platform is a good option. Plus, if you have a little more cash to spend, you’re sure to appreciate the premium packages and paid add-ons Inc Authority offers.