What to Do After Forming an LLC?

1. Get an EIN From the IRS

Apply for a free Employer Identification Number through the IRS's online application, which usually issues it immediately. You'll need your approved Articles of Organization on hand, since the application asks for your LLC's exact legal name and formation date. A multi-member LLC always needs an EIN because the IRS taxes it as a partnership by default; a single-member LLC with no employees can sometimes use the owner's Social Security number instead, though most banks require an EIN regardless.

2. Put an Operating Agreement in Place

Draft and sign an operating agreement covering ownership percentages, management structure, profit allocation, and what happens if a member leaves. California and New York require one by law, though neither state collects a copy. Even where it isn't required, a written operating agreement documents the LLC as a separate entity from its owners and is often requested by banks before opening an account.

3. Open a Business Bank Account

Bring your approved Articles of Organization, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement to open a dedicated business bank account. Banks also verify the identity of the LLC's beneficial owners under federal Customer Due Diligence rules when the LLC first opens an account there. Running business income and expenses through this account, rather than a personal one, is one of the clearest ways to maintain the separation between business and personal finances that supports LLC liability protection.

4. Check Beneficial Ownership Reporting Status

Under a 2026 FinCEN final rule, domestic LLCs formed under U.S. state law are exempt from filing a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report directly with FinCEN; only certain foreign companies registered to do business in the U.S. remain subject to that filing. This is separate from your bank's own beneficial ownership verification at account opening, which still applies regardless of this exemption.

5. Register for State and Local Taxes

If you'll sell taxable goods or services, register for a sales tax permit with your state's revenue agency. If you plan to hire employees, register with your state's labor or employment agency for unemployment insurance tax, and with the revenue agency for income tax withholding. Requirements vary by state, so check your specific state's rules rather than assuming they match another state's.

6. Check Required Licenses and Permits

Forming an LLC with the state doesn't cover every license or permit a specific business needs. Check state, county, and city requirements for your industry, such as a professional license, a health permit, or a local business license, separately from your LLC formation.

7. Look Into Business Insurance

An LLC's liability protection has limits, and insurance fills the gaps. Per the SBA, a business with employees must carry workers' compensation, unemployment, and disability insurance; many LLCs also carry general liability, professional liability, or commercial property insurance depending on what the business does.

8. Set Up Bookkeeping

Establish a system, whether accounting software or a bookkeeper, to track income, expenses, and the records you'll need for tax filing and for the recurring compliance filings your state requires. Good records from the start make tax season, and any future lender or investor review, considerably easier.

9. Mark Your State's Annual Report Deadline

Most states require a periodic report, commonly called an annual report, biennial statement, or franchise tax report, to keep your LLC in good standing, with fees from $0 to $500 a year. Deadlines vary by state, some use a fixed calendar date, others use your LLC's anniversary month, so confirm your specific state's rule and set a reminder well before it's due. LLC Register's $99-a-year registered agent service includes annual report filing as part of its coverage, alongside LLC formation in year one, with state fees passed through at cost.

10. Keep Your Registered Agent Information Current

Your registered agent must maintain a valid street address in your state of formation for the life of the LLC. If your agent changes address, resigns, or you stop a paid service, file your state's change-of-agent form promptly, since a lapse here can lead to administrative dissolution even if every other requirement is met.

Do These Steps in Order Where It Matters

Some steps depend on others: you generally need your EIN before opening a bank account, and your approved Articles of Organization before applying for the EIN. Follow the sequence rather than trying to open a bank account or sign major contracts before the underlying paperwork is in place.

Revisit the Checklist as the Business Grows

What you need after forming an LLC isn't a one-time list. Hiring your first employee, signing a commercial lease, or expanding into a new state each trigger their own additional steps, such as workers' compensation coverage or foreign qualification, beyond this initial checklist.

Don't Let the Recurring Deadline Slip

Of everything on this list, the annual report or franchise tax deadline is the one owners most often forget, since it recurs long after the excitement of initial formation has passed. Set a calendar reminder specifically for this, separate from any other business task list.

A Formation Service Can Help Track Ongoing Compliance

If you're not confident in tracking registered agent renewals, annual report deadlines, and state-specific requirements on your own, a paid registered agent or compliance service can help make sure nothing is missed after formation, on top of handling the formation filing itself.

This Isn't Legal or Tax Advice

Which licenses, permits, tax registrations, and insurance your specific business needs depends on its industry, location, and activities. Talk to a business attorney, tax professional, or licensed insurance agent for guidance specific to your business rather than relying on a general checklist alone.