Inc Authority LLC review 2023: Cost, plans, features and more
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 7:22 a.m. ET Aug. 3, 2023
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Our take
Inc Authority allows business owners to select the services they need instead of paying for the frills included in prepackaged plans.
Pros
- Free LLC filing available.
- Free year of registered agent services.
- Numerous add-on services.
Cons
- Pricing isn’t transparent.
- No refund policy.
- Expensive packages.
Inc Authority LLC review 2023
Of our 10 best LLC services, Inc Authority is one of four that will file your LLC paperwork for free. Smaller LLC services such as Filenow and MyCorporation do not offer free LLC services to their customers while Incfile, LegalZoom and ZenBusiness do.
You likely won’t come across prepackaged plans with Inc Authority, unless you get on the phone with a sales representative, and we don’t recommend these plans as they come with a high price tag. Instead, you will likely find yourself routed through Inc Authority’s sales pathway that allows you to choose exactly what services you want to purchase from the company. If you choose LLC filing, these services are completely free. However, you will be asked to upgrade along almost every step of the way. If you can get by without upgrading or getting too annoyed, Inc Authority is a great way for new cash-strapped businesses to set up their LLC in a cost-effective manner.
Free LLC filing includes a business name check within your state, a tax planning consultant to help you save more of your business income and one year of registered agent services to ensure you will never miss a legal notice.
On top of the free services, Inc Authority offers add-on services such as a private banking specialist, personalized business advice and expedited company formation filing. These add-on packages can be expensive and it is advised to make sure you want to invest in them before purchasing, as no refunds are allowed.
Inc Authority LLC overview and facts
Inc Authority is headquartered in Reno, Nevada, and has been in business for more than 30 years. In addition to providing LLC filing services, Inc Authority offers a comprehensive suite of start-up business services designed to help first-time entrepreneurs start, run and grow their businesses. These services include business funding, business plan creation, website registration and federal trademarks.
While it does not have a Better Business Bureau accreditation, 93 percent of the more than 20,000 Trustpilot reviews rate the company five out of five stars. These positive reviews commonly mention great customer service and an easy, hassle-free company filing and preparation process.
Inc Authority LLC plans and pricing
Unlike many of the company formation services on our best LLC services list, Inc Authority’s business model shies away from prepackaged LLC plans and focuses on custom offerings. While prepackaged plans are available, they are pricey, and most business owners won’t ever find them because they require calling and speaking with a sales representative. Instead, Inc Authority primarily makes use of a sales pathway that allows users to build their own plan and add on the services they need. Therefore, pricing is up to you. It’s possible to get free LLC filing with Inc Authority if you don’t add on any additional services; however, according to company representatives, not many business owners go through the process without adding on at least one service.
Every LLC filed by Inc Authority, including its free LLC services, comes with the following:
- Business name check (within your state).
- Preparation and filing of formation documents.
- One year of free registered agent services.
- Optional preparation and filing of the S-Election document Form 2553 with the IRS.
- A digital copy of your articles of organization or articles of incorporation.
- INC CARE support via email or phone.
- A tax planning consultation (state and federal).
- A business credit and funding consultation.
If you need additional services beyond what is offered for free, we recommend going through the normal pathway on Inc Authority’s website. Choosing a prepackaged plan will likely cost you significantly more than you would otherwise pay by building your own service.
Note: Regardless of which provider you choose for your LLC filing services, even free LLC services will require you to pay state filing fees. Learn more about the costs of starting an LLC in our guide.
Starter
Inc Authority’s Starter plan costs $299 plus state filing fees. Beyond the offerings of the free LLC service, the Starter plan includes:
- Operating agreement.
- Record book.
- Ownership or stock certificates.
- Initial meeting minutes and resolution templates.
- EIN/tax ID number.
- Corporate forms package.
- Annual compliance notifications.
- Web domain and five email addresses.
For $299, these additional services come with a high price tag. While many business owners will want an operating agreement and EIN, choosing these services as add-ons or opting for another LLC provider are the more cost-efficient methods of obtaining them.
Tip: You can file for your EIN for free on the IRS website. While this isn’t as easy as having a company formation service do it for you, it is an easy way for business owners on a budget to save a few bucks.
Fast track
The Fast Track plan comes in at $499 and has all the features of the Starter plan with the addition of a private banking specialist, personalized business advice, expedited filing and an Inc success advisor for phone and online support to answer your tax, law and banking questions.
Inc Authority add-ons and optional features
Inc Authority’s business model heavily relies on add-ons and optional features. To purchase services from Inc Authority, you’ll need to go through a pathway of optional services on its website. Beyond LLC filing, you can add services to aid you with federal trademarking, revocable living trusts, business credits, business funding, business planning and marketing.
Federal trademark
The Federal Trademark plan will help you easily register your trademark so that you have the exclusive right to use it in the United States. The plan includes a comprehensive U.S. search, a trademark specialist, 24-hour expedited e-filing and the government filing fee.
Business plan
The Business plan add-on includes a personalized one-on-one advisor to write, edit, research and analyze your business plan. The dedicated business plan advisor will also walk you through your opportunity to raise capital through investors and private lending.
Note: These add-ons are common across LLC formation companies, including big-name services like LegalZoom and ZenBusiness. For business owners with more complicated business plans or doing business in more regulated industries, companies like LegalZoom that employ a staff of experienced attorneys are better equipped to provide hands-on legal and business guidance.
Inc Authority customer support and experience
Inc Authority offers phone support to its customers from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. For those who would prefer not to pick up the phone and call, Inc Authority offers a U.S.-based live chat feature during the same hours, and email support. However, when we used chat support to get information about pricing, we were told to call an agent so a phone call may be your best bet. While many business owners will prefer upfront, transparent pricing that doesn’t require talking to a sales team, Inc Authority’s user reviews highlight the company’s exceptional customer service. Unlike many of its competitors, however, Inc Authority does not have a dedicated knowledge base on its website to help solve frequently asked filing questions. Instead, you’ll need to connect with the Inc Authority team if you have any questions or technical issues with the service
Inc Authority vs. LegalZoom
Affordability is the main difference between Inc Authority and LegalZoom’s LLC filing services. While both companies offer free plans, Inc Authority is the only one out of the two that includes the first year of registered agent services for free. LegalZoom charges $299 a year for this service. Therefore, if budgeting is a concern, Inc Authority is the better candidate for LLC services. Inc Authority also allows you to customize your service, choosing only the services you need and making it easier for you to work within your budget.
However, if you’re not working with a tight budget, LegalZoom’s Premium plan is a great option as it goes above and beyond guiding you through the filing process. With LegalZoom, you have access to unlimited 30-minute consultations with attorneys to review your legal contracts and documents for the first three months. This perk can be well worth the money to ensure your business starts on the right foot.
Read our full LegalZoom review to learn more.
Inc Authority vs. Incfile
Inc Authority and Incfile are similar when it comes to pricing and features. They both offer a free plan that includes a free year of registered agent services, name availability searches, online document access and the filing of your articles of organization.
Incfile’s registered agent service renewal is slightly more expensive than Inc Authority. After the first year, Incfile charges $119 per year for registered agent services, while Inc Authority only charges $99 per year. Though, you may be able to save more money with Incfile overall. Incfile offers customers the option of two paid plans starting at $199 (Gold plan) and $299 (Platinum plan), whereas pricing at Inc Authority depends on the services you choose to add to your plan. If you find that the services you want cost more than $199 with Inc Authority, check to see if your needs can be met by Incfile’s Gold plan.
Learn more in our Incfile review.
Is Inc Authority right for your business?
Inc Authority is a great choice for budget-conscious business owners who want an affordable way to form a new LLC or corporation. If you don’t add on any services to Inc Authrity’s LLC filing, you can file your formation documents, receive a free year of registered agent services and meet with tax planning and business funding consultants for the price of just your state filing fees.
However, if you’re looking for a simple company formation package that includes everything you need, Inc Authority isn’t your best option. Prepackaged plans aren’t part of Inc Authority’s primary business model and are far more expensive than competitors. Instead, consider one of the following options:
Rocket Lawyer: Our best LLC service, Rocket Lawyer provides a free LLC formation package to new members.
Active Filings: Best for those on a budget, Active Filings offers a free package and an affordable mid-tier plan for just $100.
Filenow: Offers value-packed plans with fast state filing and a free year of registered agent services.
Inc Authority is best suited for business owners that know exactly what they need and want a custom plan without the additional frills.
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Yes, Inc Authority is a good way to start an LLC. Not only does it offer free LLC filing services, but it also includes a free year of registered agent services.
Yes, Inc Authority provides an annual report feature to ensure you are in compliance with state laws. All business entities are required by the Secretary of State to file an annual report. For $99 plus additional state fees, Inc Authority will file an annual report with pertinent information like the name and address of any directors or managing members of your LLC, as well as the address of your company and registered agent. This service will ensure you avoid penalties or involuntary dissolution.
While there are no hidden fees with Inc Authority, customers will have to pay the required state taxes. This is true with every LLC filing service. Taxes and fees vary by state. Inc Authority provides a 50 State LLC Formation Guide that will help you discover the fees and costs associated with starting an LLC in your state.
Read our guide to learn more about the costs associated with starting an LLC.
Inc Authority does not offer refunds.
Yes, Inc Authority offers several other services other than LLC filing. Additional services include trademark registration, business funding, business plan creation and website and marketing services. It also offers registered agent services, which are provided free for the first year when you file your LLC with Inc Authority.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
