The Bicoastal Entrepreneur: Running a Business in Multiple States

Is Your LLC Doing Business in Multiple States? UT Here's What You TX Need to Know Can a Bussiness be Incorporated in Multiple States? WY If you're doing business in several states, then yes. It's called.. CA "Foreign Qualification" Let's look at the steps you need to take to make sure your business can legally operate across state lines. But first... The definition of "Doing Business" A Foreign Qualification is only necessary if you're "doing business" in a different state. You may be "doing business" in another state if... You formed your business in another state than the one you live in. You applied for a business license in another state. You travel frequently to other states You have W-2 for business. employees in another state. You have a You have a business physical location in another state. partner in another state who does most of their work from there. A substantial portion of your revenue is generated in another state. Sound like your Read on to find out business? how to file a Foreign Qualification. Filing Your Foreign Qualification STEP Secure Your 1 Business Name Here's how: Conduct a business name search in each state If available, register it when you file your Foreign Qualification If not, adjust the name and file a DBA (Doing Business As) in each state File your DBA with Incfile, and include your new name in your Foreign Qualification STEP Designate Registered Agents A Registered Agent: Must be designated in every state you do business in Cannot be you in a state you do not reside in Can be appointed by Incfile in all 50 states STEP Get Your Certificate of Good Standing A Certificate of Good Standing: Shows your business is in compliance with the laws in your state of formation Is required in all but 11 states Must be certified if you operate in the state of Virginia STEP File Your Foreign Qualification 4 re's hov File with each state's Secretary of State Submit your Certificate of Authority Begin operating immediately after approval O You're a freelancer Can I Serve Customers in Other States Without a Foreign Qualification? with clients in multiple states. In certain circumstances, yes. O You run an ecommerce You won't need a Foreign business and ship across the country. Qualification if: Q&A What Happens If I Do O Fines (with interest) for the time you were Business Without a in operation without Foreign Qualification? a Foreign Qualification If you conduct business in another state without Foreign O Back taxes for the total time you were in operation Qualification, you'll be vulnerable to numerous O Lack of legal protection consequences, including: and inability to file lawsuits in states without a Foreign Qualification Need Help Filing a Foreign Qualification? Incfile has got your back! We can walk you through each step of the process and file all the paperwork for you, so you can stay focused on running your multi-state LLC. incfile Sources: https://www.businessinsider.com/are-you-operating-your-business-in-multiple-states-what-you-need-to-know-2011-7 https://www.delawareinc.com/blog/foreign-qualification-doing-business-in-other-states/https:// www.delawareinc.com/blog/foreign-qualification-doing-business-in-other-states/ https://www.lendio.com/blog/small-business-tools/doing-business-multiple-states/