5 Best Iowa LLC Services for 2024 (Formation & Help)


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
Business Formation Expert
Steve runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

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Planning to launch your business in Iowa? It is much easier if a professional lends a hand in the formation of your corporation or LLC in Iowa. When you look for the best LLC formation services, you probably get many names that are claimed to be the best.

The LLCBuddy team has made things easier for you. If you’re lost in so many services, here we are with a list of the best LLC formation services in Iowa. On this page, you will find their features, pricing, and other details that can be compared before you purchase the service. Check out the best LLC formation service in Iowa. If you’re not a reading type of person, you can watch this video before you make your purchase.

Best LLC Formation Services in Iowa

Here is the list of the best LLC services available in Iowa. The best thing about these services is starting your LLC for free. Some of the following services are offering LLC formation in Iowa at $0. Other than the state fees and charges, you do not have to pay any charges to the service provider. You will get the basic formation package for free. Now, let’s check out the list of best LLC formation service providers in Iowa-

LLC Service

Our Rating & Pricing

Top Features

Learn More

#1 TOP PICK

$0 + State Fees

  • 100% accuracy guarantee

  • Worry-free service

  • Great customer support

$0 + State Fees

  • Free LLC Formation

  • Extras are bit more expensive

  • Other business solutions

Below is the list of the best LLC formation services we picked for you in Iowa.

  1. ZenBusiness – Known for its affordable packages and efficient service, ZenBusiness has become a favorite among new entrepreneurs.
  2. TailorBrands – Beyond LLC services, TailorBrands stands out with its branding solutions, making it a one-stop shop for budding businesses.
  3. LegalZoom – With years of industry experience, LegalZoom offers comprehensive services and a vast array of legal resources.
  4. Northwest Registered Agent – Praised for its top-notch customer service, Northwest ensures personalized assistance and detailed compliance guidance.
  5. BetterLegal – Speed is BetterLegal’s forte, promising the fastest LLC formation process in the market.

Our Editorial Team selects these companies through thorough research and market study. It is recommended that you cross-check all the factors before choosing the right one for your business.

1. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a Texas-based company that provides services from formation to annual compliance to an LLC. It offers three plans, Starter, Pro, and Premium. The Starter plan starts from $0. That means you can form your LLC for free in Iowa, though you must pay the state filing fee of $50 (by mail and online) to the Iowa Secretary of State. But, the company charges nothing to form your business in the state.

ZenBusiness Plans

  1. Starter Plan at $0 + state filing fee
  2. Pro Plan at $199/year + state filing fee
  3. Premium Plan at $299/year + state filing fee

ZenBusiness Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get ZenBusinessWhy You Should Not Get ZenBusiness
100% accuracy rateDoes not form Iowa nonprofit
Free LLC formation in IowaAdditional cost for EIN
User friendly
Standalone Registered Agent services in Iowa

ZenBusiness Overview

ZenBusiness is one of those top-rated companies that provide business formation in Iowa at a minimum cost (currently at $0). There is no charge to be paid to the company for forming your LLC in Iowa. The state filing fee and other necessary fees must be paid, including the registered agent fee.

ZenBusiness offers three plans, among which the Pro plan is recommended. The Pro plan has everything you need to start an LLC in Iowa. Obtaining EIN, operating agreement drafting, name search, and all other services are available with the rush filing feature.

2. TailorBrands

Do you want to create a brand for your business in Iowa? Here is the LLC formation service provider, TailorBrands, for you. The company was established in 2015 in New York, and since then, it has offered several incredible services to set up your business. TailorBrands has a single LLC formation plan that starts at $49 a year. You can choose different other add-on services at an additional cost.

TailorBrands Services

TailorBrands offers a single plan for forming an LLC at $49. There are some basic services that TailorBrands offers, including starting an LLC, filing it, Iowa name availability search, priority support, and so on. You can use their add-on services as and when required. Add-ons are-

  • Registered Agent Service – $199/year
  • Employment ID Number (EIN) – $99 (one-time pay)
  • Annual Compliances – $299/year
  • Operating Agreement – $29
  • Expedited Filing – $49
  • Business bank account – Free

TailorBrands Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get TailorBrandsWhy You Shouldn’t Get TailorBrands
Low-cost LLC formationNot BBB Accredited
Free business bank accountsNo business domain packages
Hassle-free LLC formationAdditional charges to obtain EIN
Additional services like logo, website, domain

TailorBrands Overview

TailorBrands does not have vast LLC formation packages. Instead, it has a single package that includes the formation of LLCs. The name availability search is unlimited, and you don’t have to pay any additional fees. The state filing fee of $50 (by mail and online) must be paid apart from the charges you pay for add-ons.

TailorBrands offers other business services such as logo making, domain, website, business bank account, merchandise, and other business services. As a small or start-up business, you must go for TailorBrands.

3. LegalZoom

LegalZoom is one of the service providers in Iowa that offers free LLC formation services. If you want to avoid spending money to form your LLC, then LegalZoom is for you. It offers various formation packages that include all types of LLC services. Aside from LLC formation, LegalZoom offers C and S Corp formation. With over thousands of customers, the company offers basic LLC formation services at $0.

LegalZoom Plans

  • Basic Package- $0 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)
  • Pro Package – $249 + State Filing Fees (Tax deductible may be applicable)
  • Premium Package – $279 + State Filing Fees (Tax deduction may be applicable)

Apart from these packages, LegalZoom offers a bunch of add-on services as well. Add-on services include the following-

  • Registered Agent – $299 per year. Available as an add-on and not included in any packages
  • Trademark registration: Assisting with the US trademark application process
  • Copyright registration: Guidance on registering copyrights for creative works
  • Patent services: Support in obtaining utility, design, and plant patents
  • Estate planning: Offering personalized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents
  • Legal advice: Access to a network of lawyers for consultations and legal guidance
  • Expedited Filing: With an additional $99, you can speed up your filing process.

LegalZoom Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get LegalZoomWhy You Shouldn’t Get LegalZoom
Free LLC formationExpensive add-ons, such as Registered Agent
Trustworthy and established reputationHigher pricing compared to some competitors
Quick turnaround timeFewer add-on options
Access to legal professionalsSome additional fees not included in plan prices
Customer support is available through phone or chatMixed customer reviews

LegalZoom Overview

LegalZoom is one of the oldest companies in the USA. This company is a service provider offering LLC formation at $0. It offers three broad packages, Basic, Pro, and Premium. The Basic package costs $0. However, you must pay the Iowa filing fee while filing the Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State. The filing fee depends on which method, mail, online, or any other method you choose.

LegalZoom offers vast add-ones like others. Hence, the chances of getting diverse services are comparatively high. The best part about the company is that it has access to legal documents and legal consultations. The registered agent service is a bit expensive. If you want to hire a Registered Agent from LegalZoom, you must purchase that service separately; it does not come with any formation plans.

4. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent is a family-owned business based in Spoken, Washington state. The company offers LLC formation, registered agent service, annual compliances, and other business-related services in all 50 states, including Iowa. It offers LLC formation at $39 + state fees and registered agent service at $125 yearly.

Northwest Plans

Northwest does not have conventional packages. It offers Core, Business maintenance, and business development services. Under these categories, various services are available at a flat rate. Some of the services offered by Northwest in Iowa are listed below-

  • LLC formation in Iowa at $39 + state filing fee
  • Registered Agent at $125 yearly
  • Annual report filing at $100 + state filing fee
  • Obtaining EIN at $50
  • Northwest offers National Agent Service. If you operate your LLC Registered Agent in 5 or more states, you can pay $100 + state fees (if applicable) to get a single agent for all states.

Northwest Registered Agent Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get NorthwestWhy You Should Not Get Northwest
DIY Packages for your LLC in IowaNot BBB accredited
No plans, flat rate for all servicesYou must form Iowa LLC to purchase only the service you need.
You must form Iowa LLC to purchase only the service you need.The operating agreement draft is not included in the Core services
Northwest offers a standalone Registered Agent service in Iowa

Northwest Registered Agent Overview

Northwest is one of those service providers that offer DIY packages. Northwest is not for you if you want a wholesome formation package in Iowa. It does not have conventional LLC formation packages. It is simply like a departmental store for you. You don’t need to buy everything, but the only thing you need.

Northwest has in-house corporate guides to guide you through the formation process. It offers LLC formation at $39 plus the state filing fee ($125). If you have already formed your LLC in Iowa and are willing to appoint a Registered Agent only, then Northwest can provide a standalone registered agent service at $125 per year.

Northwest offers single flat rates for all services in Iowa and other states. The best part about the company is it does not outsource any of its services. Northwest offers corporate guides to help you through the steps of LLC formation.

5. BetterLegal

BetterLegal is a comparatively new company compared to other competitors. However, this company has successfully grabbed a large portion of the market in the United States. Serving in 51 states, BetterLegal has been in business since 2016. Unlike other experienced companies, it does not have a list of packages and plans for LLC formation.

BetterLegal Plans

BetterLegal offers one single plan at a flat $299 + state filing fees. It has a list of add-on services as well. BetterLegal is an online service that started off with a very small team. However, even after being in the business for so long, they didn’t increase their team size much. They have transparent pricing, and no hidden charge exists for any services they provide.

BetterLegal offers a list of add-on services. Following are the additional services they offer-

  • Registered Agent service – $10/month or $90/year
  • State Annual compliance services – $10/month or $90/year
  • Permit & License Search Service – $125
  • Amendment & document research – Free with the core formation service package

BetterLegal Pros and Cons

Why You Must Get BetterLegalWhy You Shouldn’t Get BetterLegal
No refund; all sales are finalThe basic package does not include a registered agent service
Quick Turnaround timeAdditional charge for EIN
A+ BBB AccreditedThe basic package does not include a registered agent service
Single plan for all incorporation

BetterLegal Overview

Even though the company is called BetterLegal, no attorneys or legal services are available. The company offers a single plan for all types of business formation. Hence, if you are planning to form a corporation, you can pay $299 + incorporation fee ($50 for filing online and by mail in Iowa). It offers comparatively better turnaround time at a reasonable price than other companies. You can file your LLC within 10 minutes with BetterLegal.

It offers a resource center for new entrepreneurs. They provide guidance to make things easier when it comes to filing your business. Their small team sometimes fails to cater to their customers on time. Reaching out to their customer support team is very difficult. Another disadvantage is it does not have a refund policy. All sales with BetterLegal are final, and at any stage, no refund is made upon cancelation. However, basic LLC formation and registered agent services are much cheaper in BetterLegal than in other close competitors.

How to Form an LLC in Iowa

Forming an LLC in Iowa takes a few steps. The first step is to get a clear idea about doing business in Iowa. Before jumping into the pool of paperwork, make sure you have a thorough knowledge of taxes and the costs of starting any business in Iowa.

In general, Iowa, popularly known as The Hawkeye State, is a business-friendly state with a population of 3,233,572. The state has the nominal GDP is 233,468 (in millions). Hence, you can start any small or medium-sized business in Iowa based on your budget. Forming an LLC in Iowa can be a good option as it is less complicated than other forms of business. If you choose the state capital, Des Moines, to start your LLC, you might get more tax and other benefits.

There are five most important steps to follow when you establish an LLC in Iowa:

Now, these steps seem to be easy. But unfortunately, it is not that simple. Each business has to file different documents based on local licenses and permits. From January 1, 2024, all the LLCs and Corporations have to file the BOI Report with the FinCEN. If you start an LLC, you must file the BOI Report in Iowa.

You can do that on your own. However, getting a professional on board is always recommended to guide you through the process. These steps are crucial and sensitive. You must complete everything to avoid canceling your formation process. Hence, having a professional LLC formation service for your LLC is better.

How to Choose the Best LLC Formation Service in Florida

It is important to choose the best service for your business carefully. Before you select the best one, make sure you thoroughly research the following points-

  1. Reputation: Look for a company with a good reputation. Check reviews and ratings from previous clients to see how they feel about the services offered.
  2. Experience: Choose a company with years of LLC formation experience. This ensures that they have knowledge of the process and can provide quality services.
  3. Cost: Compare prices between different companies. Choose a company that offers affordable pricing for the services you need.
  4. Customer Service: Ensure that the company has good customer service. They should be responsive, helpful, and willing to answer any questions.
  5. Services Offered: Look for a company that offers a range of services, including entity formation, registered agent services, and ongoing compliance support to ensure your LLC remains in good standing.
  6. Ease of Use: Choose a company with a user-friendly website and easy-to-use online platform. This makes the process of forming an LLC simple and straightforward.
  7. Guarantees: Check if the company offers a satisfaction guarantee or a refund policy. This gives you peace of mind that you are getting the best possible service.

FAQs

What are the best LLC formation services in Iowa?
Some of the top LLC formation services in Iowa include LegalZoom, Incfile, and Rocket Lawyer.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Iowa?
The timeframe for forming an LLC in Iowa can vary, but it typically takes around 1-2 weeks.
What is the cost of forming an LLC in Iowa?
The cost of forming an LLC in Iowa depends on the chosen service provider, but it generally ranges from $50 to $500.
Do I need an attorney to form an LLC in Iowa?
While it is not required to have an attorney to form an LLC in Iowa, it can be helpful for legal advice and guidance.
Are there any specific requirements for forming an LLC in Iowa?
Yes, in Iowa, you will need to choose a unique business name, file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, and appoint a registered agent.
Can I form an LLC on my own in Iowa?
Yes, you can choose to form an LLC on your own in Iowa by following the necessary steps and filing the required documents.
What is a registered agent in Iowa?
A registered agent in Iowa is a person or entity appointed to receive legal documents on behalf of the LLC.
Can a non-resident of Iowa form an LLC in the state?
Yes, non-residents can form an LLC in Iowa as long as they have a registered agent with a physical address in the state.
Will my LLC be required to pay taxes in Iowa?
LLCs in Iowa are typically subject to state taxes, as well as federal taxes, depending on the business structure and type of income.
Are there any ongoing requirements for maintaining an LLC in Iowa?
Yes, in Iowa, LLCs are required to file an annual report and pay a fee to the Secretary of State to maintain good standing.
Can I operate my LLC in multiple states including Iowa?
Yes, you can operate your LLC in multiple states, including Iowa, by registering as a foreign LLC in each state where you conduct business.
What are the benefits of forming an LLC in Iowa?
Some benefits of forming an LLC in Iowa include limited liability protection, tax flexibility, and simplicity in operating a business.
Do LLCs in Iowa offer any personal asset protection?
Yes, LLCs in Iowa provide personal asset protection to members, putting their personal assets separate from the business’s liabilities.
Can I change my LLC’s name in Iowa?
Yes, you can change your LLC’s name in Iowa by filing Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State and paying a fee.
What are the differences between an LLC and a corporation in Iowa?
Some key differences between an LLC and a corporation in Iowa include ownership structure, management, tax implications, and governance.
Can I dissolve my LLC in Iowa?
Yes, you can dissolve your LLC in Iowa by filing Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State and fulfilling any remaining obligations.
What happens if I don’t comply with Iowa’s LLC regulations?
Non-compliance with Iowa’s LLC regulations can result in penalties, fines, or the dissolution of the business by the Secretary of State.
How do I know if the LLC formation service I choose is reputable in Iowa?
Before choosing an LLC formation service in Iowa, you should research customer reviews, ratings, and any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.
How can I transfer the ownership of my LLC in Iowa?
Ownership transfer of an LLC in Iowa can be done through a written agreement among members or by selling membership interests, depending on the terms outlined in the operating agreement.
Can I convert my existing business structure to an LLC in Iowa?
Yes, you can convert an existing business structure, such as a sole proprietorship or partnership, to an LLC in Iowa by filing the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State and meeting the legal requirements.
Are there any restrictions on the name I choose for my LLC in Iowa?
Yes, in Iowa, the name of your LLC must be unique and comply with state regulations, such as not including restricted words or implying government affiliation.
Can I have a single-member LLC in Iowa?
Yes, Iowa allows for single-member LLCs, where a sole individual holds all ownership interests and responsibilities of the business.
Can an LLC in Iowa have foreign ownership?
Yes, an LLC in Iowa can have foreign ownership, meaning non-residents or foreign entities can be members or managers of the company.
What is the annual report requirement for an LLC in Iowa?
In Iowa, LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State to update information about the company and pay a filing fee.
Can I serve as my LLC’s registered agent in Iowa?
Yes, you can serve as your LLC’s registered agent in Iowa, as long as you have a physical address within the state where legal documents can be served.
Is there a minimum capital requirement to form an LLC in Iowa?
No, Iowa does not have a minimum capital requirement to form an LLC, meaning you can start a business with any amount of capital or funding.
Can I operate multiple businesses under a single LLC in Iowa?
Yes, you can operate multiple businesses under a single LLC in Iowa, as long as the setup is allowed under state regulations and does not pose conflicts of interest.
Does Iowa offer any tax incentives for LLCs?
Depending on the type of business and industry, Iowa may offer tax incentives or credits to LLCs as a way to encourage economic growth, job creation, and investment in the state.
What is the best LLC formation service in Iowa?
The best LLC formation service in Iowa may vary depending on individual needs and preferences.
Can I form an LLC in Iowa without using a formation service?
Yes, you can research and file the necessary paperwork yourself to form an LLC in Iowa.

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Conclusion

Starting a business in Florida is a big step. It’s really helpful to have experts on your side. When you use a professional LLC service, you’re making sure everything is done right without any headaches. We’ve given you a list of the top choices in this article. Take your time to look at each one. Check their prices, see what they offer, and think about what’s best for your business.

Remember, picking the right Florida LLC service can make things smoother and better for your business as it grows. If you want the best for your business, check out ZenBusiness. They’re our number one recommendation for their compelling offer of $0 + state fee for LLC formation, combined with an impressive array of 5-star Trustpilot reviews. Seize this exceptional opportunity for your business!

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