Starting a business in South Dakota

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

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

1. You file articles of incorporation for a South Dakota corporation or articles of organization for a South Dakota LLC with the SD 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 South Dakota showing your approved South Dakota business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new South Dakota business name should be easy with these two items.
4. If you’re going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax, you will probably need to register with the SD department of revenue. We provide all these links in your online account.
5. If your business trade requires a license, you’ll have to apply for a license with the South Dakota licensing board.  (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 South Dakota Articles of Incorporation:

The South Dakota articles of incorporation cost $150 with the South Dakota Secretary of State. 
We custom draft your South Dakota articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your South Dakota business. The basic requirements of South Dakota corporations are:

• An incorporating South Dakota ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated
• A corporation purpose is optional
• The amount of South Dakota corporation shares you would like to authorize
• The par value of the shares is optional
• The principal address of the South Dakota corporation
• The name and address of the South Dakota incorporator(s)
• The registered agent and address of the South Dakota corporation

South Dakota does not require original signatures on new SD corporation filings. The certificate will be mailed to the address of the person who filed the documents. 

If you want a LLC, you file South Dakota Articles of Organization:

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

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it.
• New South Dakota LLCs name must be different than already registered South Dakota companies.
• Duration of the South Dakota LLC, if not perpetual.
• The South Dakota registered agent and the physical address.
• The names and signature of the organizer(s).
• If the limited liability company is to be managed by one or more managers, you will list their names and addresses.

South Dakota does not require original signatures on new LLC filings. You’ll get a certificate of formation mailed back to you after the state approves your filing.

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

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