Prepare for the state filing
Choose the jurisdiction, confirm the legal name rules, decide on management, and understand every address field before submitting anything.
Start your LLC and get an EIN
Follow the official path, one step at a time
Free state-to-IRS guidance. No account, personal details, filing, or submission through KnowYourNut.
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Free LLC and EIN guide
Step 1 of 6
Step 1
Choose your state
Start with the state where you plan to form the LLC. This guide does not recommend which state to choose.
Not sure which state? Start with where you live and primarily operate. A qualified attorney, accountant, or free business counselor can help when you operate in more than one state or have unusual circumstances.
Educational information only, not legal or tax advice. KnowYourNut guides you to official government sites but does not prepare, file, submit, or validate an LLC or EIN application.
The process in plain English
Form the LLC first, then get the EIN
An LLC is a state-law entity. An EIN is a federal tax ID from the IRS. The IRS instructs an LLC to form through its state before applying for an EIN, and the IRS application is free. State filing fees and ongoing requirements are separate.
Form the LLC with the state
Use the official filing destination in the wizard. Save the approved formation record and use its exact legal name in later records.
Apply directly with the IRS
After state formation, use the official IRS application. The EIN is free, and your application details stay on the IRS website.
Compare registered-agent choices
The registered agent receives official legal and government documents for the LLC. Depending on the jurisdiction, an owner, another eligible person or entity, or a commercial service may qualify. Address, availability, and consent rules vary, and New York uses a statutory-agent structure that is different from most states.
Use the state-specific answer inside the wizard before deciding. KnowYourNut does not rank, recommend, or receive referral compensation from a registered-agent provider.
Plan address privacy before filing
Registered office, principal office, mailing, organizer, member, and manager fields can follow different rules. A home address may become public. A virtual mailbox may work for one field and fail another. An agent address does not automatically replace every business address requested by the state.
Review the selected jurisdiction's sourced address guidance before buying a mailbox or service. When the official material does not establish whether a field is public, the wizard says so instead of guessing.
Get the EIN directly from the IRS
Wait until the LLC is formed, then follow the official IRS process. The IRS issues EINs at no charge. A single-member disregarded LLC without employees or excise-tax liability may not need its own EIN for federal tax purposes, although a bank or state rule may still call for one. Check the current IRS guidance or ask a qualified tax professional about your situation.
Read the official IRS EIN guidanceAfter formation
Turn approval into an operating business
Government websites remain the authority for filings and official requirements. Use these KnowYourNut guides to understand the owner decisions around the next tasks.
Document the owners' rules
Decide how ownership, management, money, and major changes will work.
Plan owner rulesSeparate business money
Prepare the records a bank may request and compare the complete account fit.
Prepare banking questionsReview business risks
Identify the people, property, vehicle, contract, and service risks to discuss with a licensed professional.
Build a risk checklistFind licenses and permits
Map federal, state, local, and industry requirements before opening.
Map required approvalsTrack recurring obligations
Use state-aware guidance to identify reports, renewals, taxes, and other recurring work.
Track state deadlinesLLC and EIN questions
Does KnowYourNut file my LLC or EIN application?
No. KnowYourNut provides educational guidance and links to official government websites. It does not prepare, submit, or validate an LLC or EIN application.
Does an EIN cost money?
No. The IRS issues EINs for free. State LLC filing fees are separate and vary by jurisdiction.
Can I be my own registered agent?
It depends on the formation jurisdiction and whether you meet its address, consent, and availability rules. Select your jurisdiction in the wizard for current source-backed guidance.
Can I use a virtual address for my LLC?
It depends on the jurisdiction and the specific address field. A mailing address, principal address, and registered office can follow different rules, so check the selected jurisdiction's official instructions before paying for a mailbox or agent service.
Does a single-member LLC always need its own EIN?
Not always. The IRS says a single-member disregarded LLC without employees or excise-tax liability does not need an EIN for federal tax purposes, although banking or state requirements may still lead it to obtain one. Check current IRS guidance or ask a qualified tax professional about your facts.
Does KnowYourNut collect my name, address, SSN, ITIN, EIN, or filing data?
No. The guide stores only non-sensitive choices and completion markers in your browser. Enter application information only on the official government website you choose to visit.
Educational information only, not individualized legal or tax advice. Requirements change. Confirm current instructions with the responsible government agency or a qualified professional.
KnowYourNut does not collect your name, address, SSN, ITIN, EIN, or filing data and does not prepare, submit, or validate government applications.
Sources: IRS EIN guidance, IRS single-member LLC guidance, and SBA launch guidance. Last reviewed 2026-08-28.