How to Start an LLC in Idaho

An Idaho LLC is one of the most simple, cost-effective, and quick business structures to form. Even so, navigating the formation process can seem daunting without clear guidance and an actionable plan.

In this How to Start an LLC in Idaho guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to form your LLC, from the steps you’ll need to take to get started to maintaining your structure.

Idaho LLC

In order to form an LLC in Idaho, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

1. Name Your Idaho LLC
2. Pick an Idaho Registered Agent
3. Submit the Certificate of Organization
4. Create an Idaho LLC Operating Agreement
5. Get an EIN
6. File Your BOI Report

In the sections below, we’ve broken down each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Name Your Idaho LLC

The first thing you’ll need to do before getting started is picking the right name for your LLC. This is important because your business’s name will need to represent your brand accurately, as well as be as memorable as possible.

In Idaho, all LLC names need to abide by the following statutory guidelines in order to be accepted by the Secretary of State:

• Names must contain either the term “limited liability company”, “limited company”, or an accepted abbreviation (e.g., “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” or “LC.”)
• For professional LLCs, you can also add “professional” before “limited” or “P” before any abbreviation
• All names must be unique compared to all other businesses registered or reserved with the Secretary of State
• Names cannot create any confusion between the business entity and a government agency (e.g., “FBI” or “Treasury”)
• Words such as “Bank”, “Attorney”, or “University” cannot be used without additional paperwork and sometimes even a licensed professional, such as a doctor or lawyer

If you’re interested in finding out more about these naming regulations, more information can be found in the Idaho Statutes.

Keep in mind that even though picking an LLC name in itself has no cost, there are certain fees that can be associated with the overall process.

Reserve an LLC Name

If you’re not yet ready to launch your business and still need a little more time, you can choose to reserve your desired LLC name for later by submitting an Application For Reservation of Legal Entity Name with the Secretary of State ($40 fee).

Alternatively, if you submit this request online, it will only cost $20.

Regardless of how you file it, this reservation will keep anyone from being able to take the name you plan to use for four months.

Note: You can avoid wasting your money on a reservation for a name that’s already in use by checking its availability on the Idaho Secretary of State website.

Register an Assumed Business Name

Another potential cost associated with naming your LLC is registering an assumed business name — or “doing business as” (or DBA) name, as it’s also commonly known.

This is essentially a nickname that you can choose to register for your business to operate under, particularly if you’re not content with your LLC’s legal name.

Registering an assumed business name can be done by either filing a hard copy of the Certificate of Assumed Business Name form by mail, or online using the Secretary of State’s SOSbiz website.

This registration costs $25 if submitted online and $45 if filed by mail.

Note: Unlike a number of other states, assumed business names in Idaho last indefinitely, and therefore don’t ever need to be renewed.

Buy a Domain Name

Finally, you’ll want to focus on securing a good domain name (which is your website’s URL address) for your business. For this, try to focus on choosing one that’s easy for customers to remember, relevant to your business, and accurately reflects your brand.

After confirming the domain name you want to use is actually available, you can purchase it through a trusted registrar.

Step 2: Pick a Registered Agent

The next step you’ll need to take toward forming your LLC is to pick a registered agent.

This is an individual or business entity that accepts legal correspondence on behalf of your business, such as service of process, notice of lawsuits, and official government communications; you’re required to continuously maintain one as long as your LLC is active.

Your registered agent can be an individual or business entity, but will need to satisfy the following requirements in accordance with Title 30, Chapter 21, Part 4:

• Must have a physical address in Idaho (PO boxes and virtual offices don’t count)
• Must be available during regular business hours to accept service of process

Keep in mind that you can choose to act as your own registered agent if you’re looking to save money. This is generally not recommended as you’re much more likely to suffer fines and penalties due to non-compliance than if you just hire an affordable registered agent service.

On top of this, you’ll lose any anonymity your LLC would have given you since your name, address, and contact information will be publicly available.

Note: To have a look at some of our other top recommendations, you can also check out our Best Registered Agent Service of 2024 guide.

Step 3: Submit Your Certificate of Organization

In Idaho, the Certificate of Organization is the filing document that you’ll need to submit with the Secretary of State in order to officially register your LLC (this is also referred to as the Articles of Organization in other states).

It costs $100 to submit this document online and $120 via mail.

To complete your Certificate of Organization, you’ll need to have the following information available:

• Your LLC’s name
• The full street and mailing address of your main office
• The name and full street address of your registered agent
• The name and address of at least one of your LLC’s governors
• A mailing address for future communications, like notices of annual reports etc.
• The printed name and signature of the person/people organizing the LLC

There are two primary ways to file this document with the Idaho Secretary of State, which we’ve discussed in more detail in the sections below.

Online Filings

We generally encourage our readers to file their LLC’s Certificate of Organization online through the Idaho Secretary of State’s SOSbiz website, as it’s the quickest and easiest method.

Mail Filings

Alternatively, you can submit a paper application by downloading and filling out either Certificate of Organization (domestic entities) or Foreign Registration Statement (foreign entities).

Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to mail the completed form to the following address, along with a check/money order for the $120 filing fee:

Office of the Secretary of State
450 N 4th Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080

Note: For any questions or queries you may have regarding this process, be sure to get in contact with the Secretary of State’s office at (208) 334-2301.

Step 4: Create an Idaho LLC Operating Agreement

Once this is completed, the next step you’ll need to take is to create an operating agreement.

This is an internal document that clearly outlines the ownership and management structure of your company in order to reduce potential future conflict.

While this document isn’t legally mandated in Idaho, all LLCs are recommended to have one as it can help maintain both: smooth operations and a corporate veil between your personal and business finances (i.e., it keeps your business finances separate).

A number of companies provide drafting services for operating agreements online, typically for a fee of around a few hundred dollars. However, it’s quite easy to sort this out by yourself if you want to save money, and you can even find a number of free templates online to help with this.

Step 5: Get an EIN

Even though it’s not a legal requirement (unless your LLC has employees or multiple members), all Idaho LLCs should apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

This is a free, nine-digit number used by the IRS to identify your business and keep track of its tax reporting — much like a Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals.

You’ll need an EIN to be able to:

• Hire employees
• Open a business bank account
• Apply for some business licenses/permits
• Establish a line of credit

On top of this, using an EIN instead of a Social Security Number (SSN) helps to protect your personal information and safeguard your anonymity as the business owner of your LLC.

You can quickly apply for an EIN for your LLC online through the IRS website. You’re also able to submit a paper application using Form SS-4 either via fax to (855) 641-6935, or by mailing it to the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Note: Don’t worry if you don’t already have an SSN, it’s not necessary to have one in order to apply for an EIN — instead, you can just leave Section 7b of the application blank and call the IRS on (267) 941-1099.

Step 6: File a BOI Report

Starting January 2024, the vast majority of LLC owners will be required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

This is part of an initiative by the U.S. government to stop individuals and entities engaging in illegal or unethical activities from being able to conceal this using “opaque ownership structures”, like shell companies, to hide their true identities.

Existing LLCs will be able to file this report anytime between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, while new LLCs will have up to 90 days after the date they were initially formed to do so (30 days for LLCs formed after the start of 2025).

Keep in mind that failure to file your LLC’s BOI report on time can result in exorbitantly high fines (i.e., $591 per day) or even jail time (up to two years).

Note: Not every LLC owner is required to file a BOI report. For example, companies with more than 20 full-time employees, accounting firms, and banks are exempt. For a full list of filing exemptions, you can have a look at FinCEN’s website.

How to Maintain Your Idaho LLC

In order to keep operating legally in the state of Idaho, you’ll need to file an annual report with the Secretary of State each year.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to complete this step, as we’ve detailed all the information you’ll need to know in the sections below.

File an Annual Report

In order to keep the state of Idaho’s records up-to-date, you’ll be required to file an annual report for your LLC as long as it continues to operate within the state.

This report is due each year by the last day of the month your LLC was originally registered, and can be filed electronically via the SOSBiz website. You can find instructions and additional information on this process here.

Note: It doesn’t cost anything to file your LLC’s annual report, though your business may lose its good standing and/or be administratively dissolved if you fail to file within 60 days after the due date.

Idaho vs Other States

Consistently ranking among the top states in which to form a business, Idaho is a very popular state among entrepreneurs and with good reason.

One of the top factors that draw business owners to this state is its low cost of operation. This includes both the state’s lack of ongoing maintenance costs for LLCs and an incredibly business-friendly tax climate.

Moreover, LLCs in this state benefit from one of the lowest per capita tax burdens of any other jurisdiction in the US — with maximum personal and corporate income tax rates of 6.925%.

Regardless, keep in mind that the best state to form your LLC is almost always the state that you will be operating in; this is because otherwise you’ll likely be required to register as a foreign LLC in your home state, meaning that you’ll need to pay registration and maintenance fees twice.

Idaho Secretary of State Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Corporations Division
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0080

Physical Address:
Corporations Division
450 North 4th Street
Boise, ID 83720-0080
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Contact Information:

Email: Idaho SOSBiz portal
Phone: (208) 334-2301