NH LLC Annual Fees & Requirements Brock Reid, June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 In this article, we will explore the annual fees and requirements for forming and maintaining a limited liability company (LLC) in New Hampshire. Table of Contents Toggle Name ReservationDBA (Doing Business as) NameNew Hampshire Certificate of Good StandingCost to Form a Foreign LLC in New HampshireOther LLC Filing CostsFive Basic Steps to Start an LLC in New HampshireStep 1: Name Your New Hampshire LLCStep 2: Choose a Registered AgentStep 4: Create an Operating AgreementStep 5: Get an EINMaintain Business or NonprofitBusiness Name LookupForms and FeesTrademark – Servicemark Laws Name Reservation Name Reservation is an important step in forming your New Hampshire LLC. You can reserve a name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Request through the Secretary of State’s corporation division. The fee for this service is $15, and it can be done online or by mail. Once your name is reserved, you can proceed with the LLC formation process. The average cost for LLC formation is $100, which includes the filing fee and the certificate of formation. Additionally, you’ll need an LLC operating agreement, which outlines the ownership and management structure of your LLC. You’ll also need a registered agent to receive legal documents on behalf of your business. Contact the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division with any questions or for more information. DBA (Doing Business as) Name If you’re operating your NH LLC under a name that’s different from its legal name, you’ll need to register a DBA (Doing Business As) name. You can do this by filing a registration form with the Corporations Division of the NH Department of State. The registration fee is $50, and you’ll also need to file an annual report and pay an annual fee of $100. The report and fee are due by April 1st each year. You can file online or by mail, and the processing time is typically around 5 business days. If you have any questions about the process, you can contact the NH QuickStart team or the Corporations Division for assistance. New Hampshire Certificate of Good Standing A New Hampshire Certificate of Good Standing is a document that confirms the existence and compliance of an LLC or corporation. It shows that the company is up-to-date with its annual fees and filings, and is authorized to do business in the state. The average cost of a Certificate is $25, and it can be requested through the Secretary of State’s online portal, Sos – Forms and Fees. Alternatively, it can be obtained by mail or in person at The Bureau of Corporations, located at 107 North Main Street in Concord. For further information on processing times and requirements, contact the Business Services Division or the QuickStart team via phone or email. Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in New Hampshire Fee Cost Foreign LLC Registration $100 Annual Report Filing $100 Registered Agent Fee Varies Publication Fee Varies Business License Varies Other LLC Filing Costs In addition to the annual fee, there are other LLC filing costs you may encounter in New Hampshire. For example, if you need to file an amendment or dissolution, there will be a fee. You may also need to pay for certified copies of your LLC documents or certificates of good standing. If you choose to file your documents in person, there may be extra fees for paper filing and expedited processing. Additionally, if you need to file a UCC or securities filing, there will be separate fees and requirements. Be sure to check with the Bureau of Corporations, Uniform Commercial Code, and Securities Regulation for more information on these costs and requirements. Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in New Hampshire Starting an LLC in New Hampshire is a straightforward process. Follow these five basic steps: 1. Choose a name for your LLC and check its availability using the NH QuickStart search tool. 2. File a Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Department of State, Corporation Division. You can do this online or through paper filing. 3. Create an LLC Operating Agreement, which outlines the structure and rules of your business. 4. Obtain any necessary licenses or permits for your industry. 5. Register with the IRS and obtain an EIN for tax purposes. The annual fee for filing the New Hampshire Annual Report is $100. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Corporation Division or TRUiC Team for a solution. Step 1: Name Your New Hampshire LLC When naming your New Hampshire LLC, keep it unique and distinguishable from other business entities registered in the state. You can check for name availability using the Sos – Forms or the Corporations Uniform Comm websites. Once you’ve chosen a name, you can file the necessary paperwork with the Bureau of Corporations, located at 107 North Main Street in Concord. This can be done online or by mail. Remember to include the appropriate filings and fees as outlined by the state. If you need help with the process, the TRUiC team is a great solution. Contact the Corporation Division for business registrations, employee reports, and certificates. For Uniform Commercial Code and securities complaints and requests, contact the Securities Regulation Request Line or email [email protected]. Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent To form an LLC in New Hampshire, you need to choose a registered agent. This agent will receive important legal and tax documents on behalf of your business. You can appoint an individual or a company as your registered agent, as long as they have a physical address in the state and are available during business hours. It’s important to choose a reliable and trustworthy agent, as they play a crucial role in the operation of your LLC. Once you’ve selected an agent, you’ll need to provide their name and contact information in your N.H. LLC Annual Report. Keep in mind that there may be fees associated with using a registered agent service. Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement. This document outlines the ownership and management structure of your LLC and is not required by law in New Hampshire. However, it is highly recommended to avoid potential conflicts and ensure that all members are on the same page regarding the operations of the business. The agreement should include details such as member responsibilities and voting rights, profit and loss distribution, and decision-making processes. You can find templates online or hire a lawyer to draft a customized agreement. Once completed, all members should sign and date the document. Keep a copy with your business records. For further information, contact the New Hampshire Corporation Division or Securities Regulation. Step 5: Get an EIN Obtain an EIN or Employer Identification Number from the IRS for tax purposes. This is a unique number that identifies your LLC to the government. You can apply for an EIN online, by fax, or through mail. For online applications: Visit the IRS website and fill out the online application. Once you submit the form, you will get your EIN immediately. For fax and mail applications: Download Form SS-4 from the IRS website. Fill it out and fax or mail it to the IRS. The processing time for fax applications is 4 business days, while mail applications may take up to 4 weeks. Note: You will need your EIN to register for New Hampshire Annual Report and to fulfill other requirements for your LLC. Contact Corporation Division for any questions or concerns regarding business registrations in N.H. Getting an EIN is a convenience that helps keep your business organized and compliant with the law. Reach out to Securities Regulation if you have any complaints or requests about securities or investment-related matters. Maintain Business or Nonprofit Maintaining your NH LLC requires paying annual fees and meeting certain requirements. The annual fee for an LLC in NH is $100, which must be paid by April 1st each year. Nonprofit LLCs are exempt from this fee. To maintain your LLC, you must also file an annual report with the Corporation Division. This report includes information about your LLC’s leadership, employees, and any changes to your business or nonprofit. You can file your report online or by mail. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the Corporation Division via email or telephone. Additionally, if your LLC is involved in securities, you’ll need to contact the Securities Regulation division for compliance. Business Name Lookup Looking up a business name is an important step in setting up an LLC in NH. Corporations Uniform Comm is responsible for processing these requests. You can do this online or by contacting the Request Line or emailing [email protected]. Annual fees for NH LLCs are $100 and reports are due on April 1st each year. If you have any questions, reach out to the Contact Corporation Division or Contact Securities Regulation for assistance. It’s important to keep up with these requirements to ensure your LLC remains in good standing with the state. Forms and Fees Form Description Fee LLC-1 Articles of Organization $100 LLC-2 Amendment of Articles of Organization $35 LLC-3 Restated Articles of Organization $100 LLC-4 Articles of Dissolution N/A LLC-5 Statement of Change of Registered Office or Registered Agent $15 LLC-6 Annual Report $100 LLC-7 Reinstatement Form $100 Trademark – Servicemark Laws Trademark and servicemark laws are important considerations for NH LLCs. A trademark is a symbol, design, or word that identifies a company’s goods or services. A servicemark is similar, but identifies a company’s services instead of products. Registering your trademark or servicemark with the NH Secretary of State’s office can provide legal protection and prevent others from using it without permission. The registration fee is $35 and can be done online through the NH Corporation Division’s website. For any questions or concerns, contact the Corporation Division or Securities Regulation by email or telephone. Keep in mind that failure to file annual reports and pay fees can result in dissolution of the LLC. Brock ReidWas this article helpful?YesNo LLC Annual Fees