LLC filing services as low as $49 + state fees
Pros
- $49 charge for LLC filing excluding state fees
- Worry free compliance
- Registered agent
Cons
- No filing option for nonprofit
- Can’t cancel once they file
Overview – ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a platform that makes it effortless to start and grow a business. ZenBusiness helps entrepreneurs and freelance owners to successfully run their businesses. The platform utilizes technology and automates the process of business formation to make it fast and easy for small business owners.
ZenBusiness had made it their mission to make the whole process easy especially for aspiring business owners who have no previous experience. They offer affordable services with 100% accuracy guaranteed.
ZenBusiness is a great option for those who are inexperienced in starting a business or who those who want to set up new ones but do not have the time to commit to the process. If speed is also a concern for you, ZenBusiness can help you get up to date with all the necessary documents.
What are the different business structures?
C Corporation
A C corporation is a legal structure for a business entity where the shareholders of the corporation are taxed separately from the business. A board of directors is elected to manage the business and make sure that decisions are beneficial to the corporation and the shareholders. A C Corporation allows owners to have limited liability when it comes to debts acquired by the business. The company also has the possibility of lower taxes because of the sharing of profit. However, C Corporations often create a double taxation scenario. The company profits are taxed at both the personal and corporate levels.
A C corporation also requires some very complex paperwork and can be quite expensive to set up. Since there are numerous shareholders and members of the board, the decision–making process is slower.
S Corporation
An S corporation is similar to a C Corporation since both structures separate the business entity from the personal entity. However, the financial process for an S corporation differs since it distributes income in a way that is designed to avoid double taxation. In essence, S Corporations do not pay any corporate taxes. This type of structure also benefits from lower rates for taxable gains when the business is sold. The downside to an S corporation is the complicated laws that govern them which often require the services of attorneys and accountants. S Corporations also attract fewer outside investors.
Sole Proprietorship
A Sole Proprietorship is also called a sole trader which is considered the simplest business type available. In a sole proprietorship, there is only one owner who creates the business plan, sets up, manages, and runs the business. A sole proprietorship structure makes it easy to make decisions and allows more flexibility.
All profits from the business go directly to the owner who then pays an income tax on the profit from the business. Although the sole owner receives all the profits, they are also solely liable for the losses of the business. One disadvantage of a sole proprietorship is that the owner pays the personal income tax on all net earnings.
LLC
An LLC, or a limited liability company, is a hybrid structure the combines features of a corporation and a partnership General Partnership. An LLC acts as a separate entity and the owners of the company are not responsible for the debts and liabilities of the company.
LLC is an attractive structure for small business owners because of the limited liability they would have on the company’s debts. An LLC is also less complicated to set up compared to C corporations and S corporations. However, setting up an LLC could cost more than a sole proprietorship or a general partnership.
General Partnership
A general partnership is an arrangement where the company is owned by two or more individuals. This type of business structure is generally easier to start since there is less capital required from multiple people.
The owners are in agreement to share profits, assets, as well as legal and financial liabilities. Owners of a general partnership have unlimited liability where payment can be made by taking control of the partner’s assets.
What services does ZenBusiness offer?
ZenBusiness is almost a one-stop-shop for all the legal needs to set up a business or company. The platform will allow you to save all the important requirements in one place, get alerts regarding state compliance, and even register a domain name and run the website. ZenBusiness can help from the first step of business formation to growing and running the business, and staying compliant with state requirements. Here is a list of services that ZenBusiness offer:
- Business Formation Plan
- Registered Agent
- Expedite filing
- Employer ID Number
- Check name availability
- Business Guide
- Operating Agreement template
- $150 Google Ads credit
- Domain name, domain privacy, and email address protection
Some notable features:
Personalized Dashboard – ZenBusiness provides an all-in-one personalized dashboard where you can access all the paperwork and resources that you will need to set up and successfully run a business.
Worry Free Compliance – The worry free compliance service entails that the customer receives alerts about important filing and compliance events. It’s an important feature so that business owners do not lose their LLC protection and get burdened with fees for failing to comply with state requirements.
Business Website – ZenBusiness offers to automatically create a business website that you can edit easily.
The ZenBusiness customer support team is accessible for longer hours through several channels. Customers can reach ZenBusiness representatives through phone, email, or live chat. Their phone and live chat channels are open Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM central time.
What is the process when using ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness outlines an easy formation process in five steps.
1. Choose a filing package and any business service add-ons.
ZenBusiness offers multiple plans that incorporate all the necessary services you’ll need to start a business. They also allow customers to choose additional add-ons if they choose not to go for their all-inclusive premium plan. This means that the customer can pay for a single service that they need. Add-on services include rush or expedited filing, Employer ID Number, Worry Free Compiance, and Registered Agent.
2. ZenBusiness files the business paperwork
Customers can choose the business plan and time-frame upon checkout. After this, ZenBusiness can prepare all the required documents and file them with the state according to the customer’s chosen plan and time-frame.
3. Wait for confirmation from the state
Waiting for the state to confirm a business can take days or weeks. This all depends on a combination of the selected filing speed and possible backlogs and delays from the state.
4. Access documents from the dashboard
Once all the paperwork is approved, customers will have access to documents through their personal dashboards. This includes any additional service the customer has selected such as Employer ID number.
5. Services to maintain a business that complies with state requirements
ZenBusiness has a worry free compliance offer and a registered agent service to make sure that newly formed business remains compliant with requirements.
What are the available pricing and plans?
Starter Plan
The starter plan is the cheapest option and costs $49 plus state fees. This includes preparing and filing the LLC, name availability search, 24/7 access to online documents, accounting consultation, business guide, registered agent service, operating agreement, and Google ads credits.
Pro Plan
The Pro plan contains all the features of the starter plan as well as expedited filing, template for banking resolution, Employer ID Number, annual worry free compliance. This plan costs $199 plus state fees.
Premium Plan
The premium plan includes all the features of the starter and pro plans combined. This plan costs $299 plus state fees.
Aside from these plans, ZenBusiness also allows customers to purchase specific services that they need. These also can be considered as add-ons to starter and pro plans.
Here’s a quick rundown of the costs of additional products and services if purchased separately.
| Product or Service | Price |
| Expedite Filing | $50 |
| Rush Filing | $100 |
| Banking Resolution Template | $30 |
| Employer ID Number | $70 |
| Worry Free Compliance | $119 |
| Domain Name | $25 Annually |
| Website | $100 Annually |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $75 excluding state fees |
| Filing Amendment | $100 plus state fees |
| Email Address | $25 |
| Business License Report | $95 |
Conclusion
ZenBusiness is a great option for individuals or groups who are thinking of setting up a corporation or an LLC. Even for already established businesses, ZenBusiness offers services that they can benefit from such as filing annual reports and amendments to business documents. ZenBusiness is a simple, easy, and fast platform that can make legal processes less complicated for business owners.
Since they use technology to automate their services, it provides business owners the convenience of immediately processing requirements without going out of their homes.
