What Are Articles Of Organization? – Let’s Find Out
If you want to establish your business as an LLC< you will need to file articles of organization with the Office of the Secretary of State in the state that you are located. These articles are just public documents that are necessary to create the LLC and register it in the state. They contain the basic information of your business, including name, address, etc.
In this article, you will learn about what articles of organization are and how they work for businesses. Apart from that, you will also learn how to file articles of organization in the state you are in and what information to add to the documents. Finally, we will explain to you what you need to do after filing the articles of organization of your LLC.
What Are Articles Of Organization?
According to Investopedia,
“Articles of organization are part of a formal legal document used to establish a limited liability company (LLC) at the state level. The materials are also used to create the rights, powers, duties, liabilities, and other obligations between each member of an LLC and also between the LLC and its members. The state also requires businesses to pay a fee when they file articles of organization.”
However, the constituent of articles of organization can change based on the state you are operating your business in. But, in most cases, you will need to fill out a form. The name of the form might change. For example, in the state of Texas, the document to form an LLC is called a “Certificate of Formation.”
Read More: What Are Articles Of Incorporation? – Importance, Working, And More
Articles Of Organization – How Do They Work?
According to the Forbes Advisor,
“LLCs also enjoy tax flexibility that’s not available to other types of businesses. However, an LLC does not legally exist until you file articles of organization and have them approved by the state. The articles provide a public record of the LLC’s existence, its name, and its contact information. They also provide information about where to send lawsuits and legal notices involving the company.”
After the business files articles of organization in the state, the state government checks whether the business that wants to become an LLC is actually meeting the legal requirements. In some industries, like child care and food service, the legal requirements and regulations are heavier.
Filing Articles Of Organization – What Information To Add?
Regarding the documents, an article on Shopify.com adds –
“Without articles of organization, your limited liability company doesn’t legally exist. The document helps to create a public record of your business information and existence, including the business name, your name and contact information, and other information about where to send lawsuits and legal notices.”
Here are the essential pieces of information to add to the articles of organization:
- Name and address of the LLC.
- The LLC’s nature of business.
- Name and address of the registered agent of the LLC. This person is only authorized to receive legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
- The names of the members of the LLC, like managers, directors, stakeholders, etc.
In general, the Office of the Secretary of State checks and reviews the articles of organization of the business that wants to establish itself as an LLC in the state. Basically, these articles of organization act as a charter for the business.
How To File Articles Of Organization?
The following are the steps you need to follow to file articles of organization:
Step 1: Visit the Secretary of the State’s website. There, you will get the online form (or PDF), along with instructions on how to file the form.
Step 2: You must gather all your information and documents related to the filing of the form. Take the help of tools if you are merging more than two pdfs. However, you can also take the help of an attorney who will tell you exactly how to do it.
Step 3: You will need to answer various general questions based on the state where you are located. Make sure that you are fully prepared before answering.
Step 4: Submit the form (online or through mail).
What Do Do After Filing Articles Of Organization?
After you file articles of organization with the Office of the Secretary of State, you will still be able to remain active in the business creation process. The following are the steps you can take after your file articles of organization:
1. Get Your EIN
Getting the EIN for your company is the most important thing since the number is required while filing taxes to the IRS. You will have to retrieve this nine-digit number from the IRS itself. The number is also required at the time of opening a business bank account and getting a business license.
2. Make An Operating Agreement
Having an operating agreement for your business is not always compulsory. However, many experts recommend an operating agreement since it ensures that your business is running in an efficient manner. Basically, an operating agreement contains most of the important information, including the responsibilities of the members of the business, titles of the members, succession plans, contribution requirements, and many more.
3. Business Bank Account
It is important to have a separate bank account for your business, as you will need to ensure that your personal finances and your business finances do not get mixed up. This prudent move will make your reporting and budgeting much easier. Apart from that, this action will allow you to track easily and make expense reporting and filing taxes easier.
4. Business License
Once you get your business license, it will ensure that you are compliant with all the laws of the state in which your business is located. Hence, make sure you apply for a license with your state.
Read More: How To Deal With Facebook Marketplace Scams? Steps To Follow
Wrapping Up
Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better idea of what articles of organization are and how they work. Basically, to register your business with the state as an LLC, you will need to gather the necessary documents and file them with the Office of the Secretary of State.
The documents consist of the business name, the type of business, the members, and the purpose of the business. Articles of organization are also used to create the bylaws of the company. Do you have any more suggestions to add regarding how to file articles of organization? Share your answers with us in the comments section below.
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