Starting a business in North Carolina

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN NORTH CAROLINA

Starting a business in North Carolina 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 North Carolina, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in North Carolina.

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

1. You file articles of incorporation for a North Carolina corporation or articles of organization for a North Carolina LLC with the NC 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 North Carolina showing your approved North Carolina business.
3. Once you have completed these two steps, opening a business banking account under your new North Carolina business name should be easy.
4. You register your North Carolina LLC with the NC Department of Revenue or the NC Department of Labor if you're going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax. 
5. No North Carolina general business license that ensures statewide compliance. Some businesses are subject to state license requirements while others are not. We provide links and information in your online account to help you determine your NC license obligations.
6. Get any NC state occupational licenses and permits required for your business.
7. Get any local city or county licenses for your business.
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 North Carolina Articles of Incorporation:

The North Carolina articles of incorporation cost $125 with the North Carolina Secretary of State. 
We custom draft your North Carolina articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your North Carolina business. The basic requirements of North Carolina corporations are:

• An incorporating North Carolina ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated
• The amount of North Carolina corporation shares you would like to authorize
• The class of the shares
• The NC corporations principal office address
• The date you would like the NC incorporation to be effective
• The name, address, and signature of the North Carolina incorporator(s)
• The registered agent of the proposed North Carolina corporation 

North Carolina does not require original signatures on new NC corporation filings. If you include the SOS filing coversheet, you can have the documents picked up, mailed, or emailed. If not, the document will be mailed to the address of the person who filed the documents. 

If you want a LLC, you file North Carolina Articles of Organization:

To form a North Carolina LLC, you file North Carolina articles of organization. The basic requirements of North Carolina LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it.
• New North Carolina LLCs name must be different than already registered North Carolina companies.
• Duration of the North Carolina LLC is perpetual unless you state a dissolution date.
• The purpose of the North Carolina limited liability company.
• The North Carolina registered agent and the physical address.
• The NC LLC principal office address, if you have one.
• The names and addresses of the LLC organizer. NC LLC organizer may be a member but doesn’t have to be.
• If the LLC is to be member-managed or manager-managed.
• The articles are effective when filed, unless you specify a different date.
• The North Carolina organizer must sign.

North Carolina does not require original signatures on new NC LLC filings. If you include the NC SOS filing coversheet, you can choose to have your document returned by pick-up, email, or mail. If you don’t include the coversheet the document will be mailed to the person who filed the articles.

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

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