Starting a business in Idaho

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN IDAHO

Starting a business in Idaho can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the secretary of state, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Idaho, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Idaho.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Idaho?

1. You file articles of incorporation for an Idaho corporation or articles of organization for an Idaho LLC with the ID Secretary of State. 
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Idaho showing your approved Idaho business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Idaho business name should be easy with these two items.
4. You register your Idaho LLC with the Idaho State Tax Commission or Idaho Department of Labor if you're going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax. 
5. You obtain a trade license from Idaho Professional Licensing, if you actually need one. Most businesses don't, but if you do, these quick links and contact details are in your online account.
6. Some local cities or counties have a general license, but most don’t.
7. You obtain a local trade license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Idaho Articles of Incorporation:

It will cost $100 to file the articles of incorporation with the ID Secretary of State, plus a $25 minimum franchise tax fee. 
We custom draft your Idaho articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Idaho business. The basic requirements of Idaho corporations are:

• The Idaho Corporation must have a corporate ending such as INC, Incorporated, Corporation or a different variety.
• The Idaho corporation name must be different than already registered Idaho corporations
• The number of shares the Idaho Corporation is authorized to issue
• The name and office address of the registered agent in Idaho
• The name, address, and signature of the incorporator(s)
• You may include optional provisions

Idaho does not require original signatures on new Idaho corporation filings. They will charge you an extra $20 if you handwrite on their forms. When you file the articles, you provide an address where the state can send future notices.

If you want a LLC, you file Idaho Articles of organization:

To form an Idaho LLC, you file Idaho articles of organization. The Idaho Secretary of State articles of organization filing fee is $100. The basic requirements of Idaho LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a LLC ending or variation of it
• The Idaho company name must be different than already registered Idaho companies
• The effective date of the articles of organization may be when the articles are filed or you may specify a later date
• The Idaho LLCs principal address
• The name and address of at least one member or manager
• The Idaho registered agent name and the physical address
• The Idaho organizers name, address, and signature

Idaho does not require original signatures on new ID LLC filings. When you form your LLC, you provide an address where the state can send future notices.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to start a business in Idaho yourself, you can just hire us as your Idaho registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Idaho LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate an Idaho corporation or form a Idaho LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Idaho registered agent service.