How to form an LLC in Indiana

Who should form an LLC in Indiana?

Anyone who lives in Indiana or runs their business from there. If you form in another state but operate in Indiana, you will usually have to register there as a foreign LLC anyway, paying both states' fees. See home state or another state.

How do you form an LLC in Indiana, step by step?

1. Choose and check the name

   Search the state's business records and include "LLC", "L.L.C." or "Limited Liability Company" in the name.

2. Appoint a registered agent

   A person or company with a physical street address in Indiana. See what a registered agent is.

3. File the Articles of Organization

   Online through INBiz for $95, usually approved within a business day, or by mail for $100.

4. Get an EIN and sign an operating agreement

   The EIN is free from the IRS. See LLC operating agreement.

5. Register for state taxes

   Sales tax and payroll as needed. Then note the first yearly filing date.

What does Indiana require every year?

A Business Entity Report every two years, about $32 online or $50 by mail, due by the last day of the LLC's formation anniversary month. The first is due two years after formation; for an LLC formed in March 2026, by March 31, 2028. Reports can be filed up to a few months early. An LLC that falls behind becomes delinquent and can be administratively dissolved, with reinstatement requiring each overdue report and a fee.

For deadlines, fees and late penalties in detail, see Indiana LLC yearly filings.

What do the first two years cost?

Spread over two years, Indiana's state upkeep comes to about $16 a year.

Should you file it yourself or use a formation service?

Filing yourself costs only the state fee, and the Indiana filing is short enough for most owners to complete. A formation service saves time, can act as your registered agent and may send reminders for yearly filings, but compare total yearly costs: low headline prices are often paired with paid add-ons such as expedited filing, operating agreements or EIN applications, which you can do yourself free. Whichever you choose, keep the approved filing, the EIN letter and your operating agreement together. See how much an LLC costs.

Can a non-resident form an LLC in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana has no residency or citizenship requirement for an LLC's members or managers. You need a registered agent with a Indiana street address and an EIN; a foreign owner without a Social Security number applies for the EIN on Form SS-4. A single-member LLC owned by a foreign person files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with no US income. See can a non-resident own a US LLC and annual filings for foreign-owned LLCs.

What happens if you miss a required report?

The state usually charges a late fee and marks the LLC as not in good standing, which can block a certificate of good standing, a bank account or a loan. If the filing stays overdue, the state can administratively dissolve the LLC, ending its liability protection and its claim to the name. Reinstatement means filing every missing report and paying the fees owed, so put the dates in your calendar. See reinstating a dissolved LLC.

Which Indiana taxes apply to an LLC?

Indiana has a flat state income tax plus county income taxes, both paid by owners on their share of profit. The state sales tax is 7%, with no local sales taxes; register with the Indiana Department of Revenue through INTIME if you sell taxable goods or have employees.

If you sell online, see Indiana sales tax for online sellers.

Federally, a Indiana LLC is taxed like any other LLC. See how LLCs are taxed. For a side-by-side view of state costs, see how much an LLC costs.

This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.