What is a Foreign LLC in Mississippi – Definition and Filing

If you have an LLC in Mississippi and want to expand your business beyond Mississippi, you must form a foreign LLC. Any business, especially a limited liability company, located in other states, starts its operation in Mississippi, must file a foreign LLC in Mississippi. To do so, every LLC needs to file additional filing documents, along with tax and relevant documents with the Mississippi government.

In this article, you’ll be reading about how to start a foreign LLC in Mississippi. Along with that, the page guides you through the steps involved in managing and maintaining a foreign LLC in Mississippi after you form it.

Forming a Foreign LLC in Mississippi

A foreign LLC does not need to be a company from another country but a business formed under the laws of another state. If you register your LLC in one state and operate your business in Mississippi, you probably need to register your LLC as a foreign entity here. Imagine, if your family owns a sushi restaurant in Alabama and you want to expand the chain somewhere in Texas, you must establish your restaurant in Texas as a foreign entity.

Anyone who has an active and in good standing LLC anywhere (except for Mississippi) and wants to expand their operations in Mississippi can file their LLC as a foreign entity. To start a foreign LLC in Mississippi, you need to register it with the Mississippi Secretary of State. Every state has a different rule for establishing a foreign LLC. Here are the steps to follow in Mississippi for registering a foreign LLC.

Note: These are generic steps to file a foreign LLC in Mississippi. Make sure to check with the State Secretary of State, before you start filing your business. – LLCBuddy Team

Step 1: Get the Certificate of Good Standing From Home State

Before you proceed to register your LLC in Mississippi as a foreign entity, you must get the Certificate of Good Standing issued from your home state SOS. This is an important document to register an LLC in a foreign state.

If your LLC is originally registered in Mississippi, then you must obtain the Certificate of Good Standing from Mississippi Secretary of State. If your LLC is in other states, the name of the same document might be different. Every LLC, registered in any state other than Mississippi must get this document to register a foreign LLC in Mississippi.

Filing Certificate of Good Standing: To get the Certificate of Good Standing in Mississippi, one has to Log in to SOS with the credentials they have for filing an LLC. Once logged in, you can find and order the Certificate of Good Standing/Existence by requesting and paying for it.

Step 2: Choose Mississippi Foreign LLC Name

Obtain a name reservation certificate and submit it with your foreign qualification requirements to the Mississippi Secretary of State. Your LLC’s legal name outside of Mississippi will be listed on the application, along with the name it will use in Mississippi. Take note of the requirements for naming your LLC.

You can use the same name as your domestic LLC name, however, that name should be available in Mississippi to use. Check name availability at Mississippi’s business entity names and reserve your LLC name. There are a bunch of LLC naming guidelines in Mississippi when it comes to forming a foreign LLC. Check the guidelines before you name your business.

Step 3: Select Mississippi Foreign LLC Registered Agent

A registered agent is a person responsible for receiving all official and legal documents on behalf of your company, whether it is located domestically or in a foreign state. For a foreign LLC in Mississippi, you must have a registered agent from Mississippi only. No matter where your domestic LLC is located, you must hire a registered agent from Mississippi for your foreign LLC.

You’ll need a registered agent to form a foreign LLC in Mississippi and take note that the Mississippi Registered Agent must have a local address. Here are the best LLC services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries:

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Step 4: File Application for Registration for Mississippi Foreign LLC

The most important step is to send the application for registration with Mississippi SOS. Download the PDF form from the Mississippi Secretary of State website or file it online (whichever method is available). The form must be filled out with the following details:

LLC’s full legal name.
A fictitious name or a DBA (only if your LLC’s legal name is not available); Attach a statement of adoption of the fictitious name signed by all LLC members.
- DBA filing method in Mississippi: one method, online
- Online: For online filing, check the Mississippi Secreatry of State. There, look for the “Assumed Names” section. You will get the registration form.
- Offline: There’s no offline form submission in the state
- DBA filing fee in Mississippi: $25
LLC’s principal office and mailing addresses
LLC formation state and date.
Registered agent’s name and address in Mississippi.
Date when your LLC will start operations in Mississippi.
Credit card information is on the last page of the form for the application fee.

Online Filing

To file the foreign LLC in Mississippi online, you must get the Online Registration Form. Choose from the options given on the screen and click on Next to go to the next section. Once you are done filling up the details, you will get the document details on the next page. You can either print the regulations or email them to yourself.

Offline Filling

Not Applicable

Foreign LLC Registration Fee in Mississippi: The formation fee for a foreign LLC in Mississippi is $250. The payment must be made using credit cards as the filing method is online. No offline method of payment shall be sent to the SOS or related department.

The LLC cost in Mississippi, even for foreign LLCs will differ between online filing and by mail. Also, read about what’s the major difference between Mississippi’s domestic and foreign LLCs.

Step 5: Determine How Your Mississippi Foreign LLC is taxed

Foreign LLCs are also subjected to the Mississippi Business Privilege Tax and must file LLC annual reports each year. If you have a single-member foreign LLC then it will be considered as a ‘disregarded LLC’ by IRS. That means the LLC will not be regarded as a company but it will be taxed as an individual (the owner). If you already have an LLC in the home state, you must have obtained the EIN as well. You don’t need to obtain the EIN in Mississippi for a foreign LLC separately as it is issued from the IRS.

For other types of LLCs (member-managed or manager-managed LLCs), it will be a ‘pass-through taxation‘ where the LLCs don’t get taxed separately, instead, the members and managers are taxed based on their personal income. So, foreign LLCs are taxed as same as domestic LLCs in Mississippi. However, it is recommended to check with the Mississippi Secretary of State for state-wise taxes.

Note that forming a foreign LLC would be good for your business as you can legally operate in a different state thus reaching a larger market and opening more opportunities for higher profit.

Filing Mississippi Foreign LLC Online – Quick Recap

Get the Certificate of Good Standing from your home state where your LLC is originally registered
Check if the name of your LLC is available in Mississippi to use for your foreign LLC. If not, file DBA name with Mississippi SOS.
Get a registered agent in Mississippi to represent your foreign LLC in Mississippi. Recommended, professional help instead of being your own registered agent.
File the Application of Foreign LLC with the Mississippi Secretary of State following the mentioned method(s) above.
Make the processing fee.

BOI Reporting

According to the Corporate Transparency Act, every LLC (or business) has to send a BOI reporting to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Once you establish an LLC and if it is enlisted under the list of reporting companies, you must file your BOI report in Mississippi with the FinCEN.

After Forming Mississippi Foreign LLC

Here are added things you need to accomplish after forming your Mississippi Foreign LLC

Obtain Business Licenses. Find the business licenses you’ll need using the Business License Search. You can contact the license office at Mississippi Secretary of State.
File LLC annual reports and Business Privilege Tax. You must file an Annual Report before the stipulated time frame after forming your LLC in Mississippi. Here’s everything about Mississippi LLC Annual Reports.
Pay State Taxes like sales tax; you’ll need an EIN for your LLC.

FAQs

Can a foreign LLC do business in Mississippi?

Yes, a foreign LLC can do business in Mississippi by registering with the Secretary of State.

What is the process for forming a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

The process includes submitting a Certificate of Authority and paying the necessary fees to the Secretary of State.

How long does it take to register a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

Typically, it takes about 5-10 business days to process the registration of a foreign LLC in Mississippi.

Do foreign LLCs in Mississippi need a registered agent?

Yes, foreign LLCs in Mississippi are required to have a registered agent who has a physical address in the state.

What are the annual filing requirements for a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

Foreign LLCs in Mississippi are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State and pay the appropriate fee.

Can I use my out-of-state address as the principal office of a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

No, foreign LLCs in Mississippi are required to have a physical address within the state as their principal office.

Are foreign LLCs in Mississippi subject to state taxes?

Foreign LLCs doing business in Mississippi are subject to state taxes on income earned within the state.

Can a foreign LLC in Mississippi convert to a domestic LLC?

Yes, a foreign LLC in Mississippi can convert to a domestic LLC by filing the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State.

What are the key differences between a foreign LLC and a domestic LLC in Mississippi?

The main difference is that a foreign LLC is formed in another state, while a domestic LLC is formed in Mississippi.

Are there any restrictions on the type of business a foreign LLC can conduct in Mississippi?

Foreign LLCs in Mississippi must adhere to the same regulations and licensing requirements as domestic LLCs when conducting business.

Can a foreign LLC designate a manager in Mississippi to handle day-to-day operations?

Yes, a foreign LLC can designate a manager in Mississippi to handle day-to-day operations of the business.

What are the consequences of operating a foreign LLC in Mississippi without registering?

Operating a foreign LLC in Mississippi without registering can result in fines, penalties, and the inability to legally conduct business in the state.

Are there any additional fees for maintaining a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

In addition to the initial registration fee, foreign LLCs in Mississippi must pay an annual report filing fee to remain in good standing.

Can a foreign LLC in Mississippi expand its operations to other states?

Yes, a foreign LLC in Mississippi can expand its operations to other states by registering as a foreign entity in each new state.

What is the process for dissolving a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

To dissolve a foreign LLC in Mississippi, you must file a Certificate of Termination with the Secretary of State and settle any outstanding debts or obligations.

Do foreign LLCs in Mississippi need to have a business license?

Depending on the nature of the business, foreign LLCs in Mississippi may need to obtain a business license from the appropriate local authorities.

Are there any residency requirements for the members of a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

There are no residency requirements for the members of a foreign LLC in Mississippi.

Can a foreign LLC in Mississippi have a different name than its original state of formation?

Yes, a foreign LLC can operate under a different name in Mississippi as long as the name is available and compliant with state regulations.

What types of businesses are prohibited from forming a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

Certain industries such as banking, insurance, and professional services may have additional requirements for forming a foreign LLC in Mississippi.

Are foreign LLCs in Mississippi required to hold regular meetings?

Foreign LLCs in Mississippi are not required to hold regular meetings, but they must maintain accurate records of all business activities.

Can a foreign LLC in Mississippi convert to a different business entity?

Yes, a foreign LLC in Mississippi can convert to a different business entity by following the conversion process outlined by the state.

What are the major advantages of forming a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

Some advantages include limited liability protection, potential tax benefits, and the ability to expand operations into new markets.

How can I verify if a foreign LLC is registered to do business in Mississippi?

You can verify the registration of a foreign LLC in Mississippi by conducting a business entity search on the Secretary of State’s website.

Can a foreign LLC in Mississippi purchase real estate or enter into contracts?

Yes, a foreign LLC in Mississippi can purchase real estate, enter into contracts, and engage in other business activities as long as it is registered to do business in the state.

Is a publication requirement necessary for forming a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

No, there is no publication requirement for forming a foreign LLC in Mississippi.

Can a foreign LLC in Mississippi sponsor visas for foreign employees?

Foreign LLCs in Mississippi can sponsor visas for foreign employees as long as they comply with federal immigration laws.

Are there any specific name requirements for a foreign LLC in Mississippi?

The name of a foreign LLC in Mississippi must include the phrase “a Limited Liability Company” or an abbreviation such as “LLC”.

What is a Foreign LLC in Mississippi?

A Foreign LLC in Mississippi is an LLC that was formed in another state but wishes to conduct business in Mississippi.

How do I form a Foreign LLC in Mississippi?

To form a Foreign LLC in Mississippi, you must file an Application for Registration with the Mississippi Secretary of State.

What information is required in the Application for Registration for a Foreign LLC in Mississippi?

Some of the information required includes the LLC’s name, the state where it was originally formed, and the LLC’s principal office address.

In Conclusion

Having a foreign LLC in Mississippi is nothing but expanding your business legally beyond the boundary of your domestic or home state. Starting a foreign LLC in Mississippi does not require a lot of documentation or tasks. However, it is always good to seek help from a professional when it comes to running your business. From getting the Certificate of Good Standing to hiring a registered agent in Mississippi, a professional or attorney can always be a perfect help. ZenBusiness is one of the most accurate and user-friendly services that offer a bunch of LLC formation services. They offer LLC formation for $0 (excluding the state formation fee).

The cost of registering a foreign LLC in Mississippi can vary depending on a range of factors. While the initial registration fees and ongoing expenses can be a significant investment, many companies find that the benefits of establishing a presence in the state outweigh the costs. By carefully considering the expenses involved and budgeting accordingly, companies can ensure that their foreign LLC in Mississippi is a success.