If you’re starting a business in Virginia, you may consider forming a limited liability company (LLC). Before diving in, you should knowthat ...
The fee is $25, and the name will be held for 120 days.
Written by: Carolyn Young
Carolyn Young has over 25 years of experience in business in various roles, including bank management, marketing management, and business education.
Reviewed by: Sarah Ruddle
For over 15 years, Sarah Ruddle has been a noteworthy leader in the business and nonprofit world.
Updated on April 18, 2023
If you’re starting a business in Alaska, you may consider forming a limited liability company (LLC). Before diving in, you should know that this comes with costs.
To prepare you, this handy guide details all you need to know about launching an LLC in Alaska.
Requirement | Cost |
---|---|
Name Reservation Fee | $25 |
LLC Registration Fee | $250 |
Business License Fees | Vary by localities and type of business |
DBA fee | $25 |
Biennial Report Fee | $100 |
One of your first decisions will be what to name your LLC. Once you’ve chosen the perfect name, you can reserve it with the state until you’re ready to form your LLC officially.
To do so, you’ll need to make sure the name is available. Here’s how:
To ensure the business name is available, go to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s website and enter the names you like and similar names. You don’t want a business name that can be easily confused with other businesses in Alaska.
In Alaska, your LLC name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” or an abbreviation such as LLC or L.L.C. Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency or words like bank, insurance, or university without state approval.
Your name also must be distinguishable from all other business names in Alaska. It cannot imply that you are a municipality or involved in any type of business other than what’s stated in your articles of organization.
It’s a good idea to ensure the name has not been trademarked. Check with the US Patent and Trademark Office to ensure the name is available nationally.
You’ll want to ensure the domain name is available. You can check at a site like GoDaddy.com and use .com or .org, as those give your business more credibility.
Do a Google search to ensure the name is not being used in the U.S. or internationally. This is particularly important if you plan to have a strong online presence for your business.
Once you’ve done your due diligence and know your preferred business name is available, you can reserve the name with the state using this name reservation form.
The fee is $25, and the name will be held for 120 days.
To officially form your LLC, you’ll file articles of organization by visiting the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s website. You’ll need the following information:
In Alaska, the fee is $250, and your LLC should be approved immediately.
Your LLC may also need to obtain licenses and permits at the federal, state, and local levels. These, of course, come with varying fees.
At the federal level, licenses and permits are generally industry-specific and may include health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
You need an Alaska general business license to operate at the state level. If you sell tangible goods or services subject to sales tax, you’ll need a sales tax license, also known as a seller’s permit.
Check the SBA guide for specific licenses required for your business.
Here are some standard licenses and permits you may need:
This is a significant step in the LLC formation process, so make sure to check with your state and local government offices to find out all the licenses and permits that you need and their costs. You could face steep fines and penalties if you operate without the proper licenses and permits.
If you need help, it’s a good idea to consult a business attorney to ensure you’re in full compliance. You can also use a service like MyCorporation to do the research and provide you with all the forms you need to license your business.
If you plan to do business under a name that is not your LLC, you’ll need to register a “doing business as,” or DBA, name.
In Alaska, you need a business license for any name under which you do business, so you’ll need to apply for another business license before registering your DBA name. There is no fee for the business license.
Then to register your DBA, you’ll download a business name registration form and file it by mail.
The cost to register a DBA in Alaska is $25.
In Alaska, your LLC must file a biennial report to verify your business information and confirm you’re still doing business.
The report can be filed online with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and the fee is $100.
Starting an LLC in Alaska is rather a complicated process that includes a handful of fees. There are several hoops to jump through, but the benefits of ensuring your LLC is properly registered, and fully compliant are huge, while the alternative risks significant penalties.
LLC formation can be daunting, so many entrepreneurs prefer a professional service like ZenBusiness. This ensures the process is done correctly, saving time and giving you peace of mind.
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