It’s easy to form an LLC in New Jersey online yourself. Just follow these steps:
- Name Your LLC
- Choose a Registered Agent
- File the NJ Certificate of Formation
- Create an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN
Or, use a professional service:
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
LegalZoom ($249 + State Fees)
Registering a New Jersey LLC is Easy
You can register a New Jersey LLC online by filing the New Jersey Certificate of Formation with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. The cost to get an LLC in NJ is $125.
Follow our How to Start an LLC in New Jersey guide below to get started.
For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.
Step 1: Create A Name For Your New Jersey LLC
Before you register your New Jersey LLC, you'll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.
We go into depth on this topic in our LLC naming guide. We’ll go over the basics below.
Naming Your LLC
First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.
Next, make sure your name meets New Jersey guidelines:
- it contains the words limited liability company, limited company, LLC, or L.L.C.
- it doesn't contain the words bank, banker, Olympic, realtor, or dba
- it's distinguishable from any other entity or trade name registered in New Jersey
- full list of New Jersey naming guidelines
Next, do a New Jersey LLC name search with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to find out if your name is available in New Jersey.
If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your New Jersey Certificate of Formation with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.
We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.
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Once you register a domain name for your LLC, consider setting up a business phone system to establish credibility and enhance your customer service. Nextiva provides a plethora of useful features and a quick, easy setup. Try Nextiva.
Using a New Jersey Alternate Name or Trade Name (DBA)
A New Jersey DBA (doing business as), also known as an alternate name or trade name, is any registered name that a business operates under that isn't its legal business name. An alternate name or trade name can be used by any type of business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).
Learn how to get a DBA in our New Jersey DBA guide.
Step 2: Appoint a New Jersey Registered Agent
When you file your Certificate of Formation, you'll need to list a registered agent.
A registered agent's job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your LLC. To learn more about New Jersey Registered Agents, read our guide.
Your registered agent can be a person or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to use a registered agent service.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own registered agent:
- You’ll need to be available during normal (9 am - 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide
- If you run your business from home, you’ll have to make your personal address public
- You could be served with a lawsuit in front of your family or coworkers
Recommended: Northwest offers a free year of registered agent services when you form your New Jersey LLC ($29 plus state fees) with them.
Step 3: File the New Jersey LLC Certificate of Formation
It’s time to officially form your LLC by filing your Certificate of Formation online with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
The preferred method for filing is online with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. You can fill out a hard copy of the NJ Revenue Form (see pages 21-24) and mail it in for an additional fee. The filing fee is $125 online.
Recommended: Now is a good time to decide if your LLC will be member-managed vs manager-managed.
You'll need to know the following information to complete each Article:
- Entity Name and Type
- Business Purpose
- Duration
- Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
For more detailed help with completing the form, visit our New Jersey Articles of Organization guide.
Mail Your Articles of Organization:
Send the form and payment (payable to the NJ Division of Revenue) to:
New Jersey Division of Revenue
PO Box 252
Trenton, NJ 08646
How long does it take to get a New Jersey LLC approved? LLC processing time is about 5 to 7 days.
Step 4: Register for New Jersey Tax Identification
Within 60 days of forming, LLCs must register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services for business entity and tax filings.
You can register online using the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services website or complete pages 17-19 of the Business Revenue Forms Packet and register by mail.
Step 5: Create A New Jersey LLC Operating Agreement
Creating a New Jersey LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises.
Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.
Your operating agreement should outline the following:
- Each member’s responsibilities
- How new members will be admitted
- How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
- How profits and dividends will be distributed
You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don't conflict with New Jersey business law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.
Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.
Step 6: Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The IRS and the state of New Jersey will use this number to track your business activity.
Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:
- Open a business bank account
- File Federal and State taxes
- Hire employees
The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in New Jersey is by using the free online application on the IRS website.
Read our Get an EIN guide for instructions.
Need Help Forming an LLC?
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Steps After Forming an LLC in New Jersey
After forming your New Jersey LLC, it's important to:
Open A Business Bank Account
A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your New Jersey LLC's corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your LLC or Business.
Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you'll also want to set up capital accounts for LLC members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.
Get A Business Credit Card
A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company's credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.
Set Up Business Accounting
Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your business thousands of dollars per year.
When forming an LLC in New Jersey, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your business to help set your company up for success.
Get Business Insurance
Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms of business insurance are general liability, professional liability, and workers' compensation.
Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.
Keep Your Company Compliant
Research New Jersey Business Licenses and Permits
To operate an LLC in New Jersey, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits.
Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in New Jersey guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.
File Your New Jersey LLC Annual Report
New Jersey requires all LLCs to file an annual report with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services each year. This can be completed online with the state’s Online Annual Report and Change Services platform for a $75 filing fee.
Understand New Jersey State Tax Requirements
New Jersey businesses selling a physical product are generally required to register for a seller’s permit through the New Jersey Online Business Registration portal. Visit our New Jersey Sales Tax guide to learn more about seller’s permits and New Jersey sales tax.
Additionally, if you have employees in New Jersey, you will need to register for unemployment insurance tax and employee withholding tax through the New Jersey Online Business Registration portal.
Understand Your New Jersey LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements
Most New Jersey LLCs will need to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year using Form 1065: Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 - Schedule C (single-member LLCs).
How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.
Know Your New Jersey LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options
Pass-through taxation entails a business’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity.
Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income.
Alternatively, New Jersey LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, LLC members can be taxed as employees of the business, potentially reducing tax burden.
More LLC Resources
- New Jersey Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. You can register a New Jersey foreign LLC online.
- New Jersey Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our New Jersey certificate of good standing guide.
- Dissolving a New Jersey LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our New Jersey LLC Dissolution Guide.
- LLC Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.
Need Help Forming an LLC?
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