Consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction and an accountant.
Applicability varies according to your particular details and circumstances; don't hesitate to ask for help.

Name

Choose a name

State-specific Search the state corporate directory for availability (for example, DE's Division of Corp. Name Search)

Search trademark databases for conflicts (USPTO search)

State-specific Ensure your chosen name complies with state law

Some states require "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Ltd." as a suffix, with restrictions on certain sensitive or materially misleading names (for example, a carpentry business probably should not be named "Cardiac Surgeons LLC")

Some states require forming a "professional LLC" (PLLC) for certain types of licensed professions, such as law, accounting, engineering, architecture, or medicine

Consider a "doing business as" (d/b/a) name, which may not require a suffix (for example, Varia Law)

Licensing and Formation

State-specific File formation documents, or use a corporate service company for filing

Registered agent

State filings (annual fees, annual reports)

Doing business as (d/b/a) filings, annual property filings, etc.

State-specific Ask your lawyer whether the registered agent's address may be used as the LLC's address, or if it must be where the business is conducted

State-specific Have your lawyer draft an LLC Operating Agreement, even for a single-member LLC

Governs ownership, management, and succession

For multi-member LLCs, include capital contributions, distributions, and buyout provisions

For special-purpose LLCs (e.g., real estate), tailored to that purpose

State-specific Check whether you or your LLC need any professional licenses

Local-specific Check whether any licenses or permits are needed for your LLC's operation

Licensed business types or activities

Building or activity permits

Zoning

Finances and Accounts

Open a bank account for your LLC

Get a credit card for your LLC

Purchase applicable business or professional insurance (general liability, malpractice, etc.)

Website domain and hosting

Email address (with LLC's domain, or another handle in your existing email provider)

Social handles (LinkedIn, X, Google Business Profile, etc.)

Payment processor or merchant of record

Anything other services you'll use for your LLC's business specifically (GitHub, etc.)

Update personal professional profiles

Organize LLC-specific records and storage

If accepting crypto, consider an exchange account for your LLC

Distinguish and separate your LLC crypto addresses from personal

Keep a private Confirmation of Accounts document with your LLC's address(es) and other accounts

Consider using bookkeeping software to keep track of income and expenses, and calculate estimated federal quarterly taxes

Options such as Quickbooks will provide aggregated forms for annual tax filings

Taxes, Retirement, Compliance

Apply for an EIN if applicable

Consider an EFTPS account for paying quarterly estimated federal tax payments online from your LLC's bank account

State-specific Each state has its own system for paying quarterly estimated state taxes

Schedule estimated amount payments in advance for a taxable year, with the option to auto-withdraw from your LLC's bank account (make a note of these payment dates)

If you plan on hiring employees or operating as an S-corp, consider a payroll and HR service such as Gusto, Rippling, etc.

Consider a retirement account for your LLC like a SEP-IRA, Sole 401(k), or Simple IRA, depending on employees, income level, and desired flexibility. Consult a CPA or lawyer.

Consult a CPA for tax characterization and annual tax filings

Determine whether to be taxed as:

Passthrough

Single-member: disregarded entity for tax purposes, reported on personal income tax return

Multi-member: partnership for tax purposes, K1s distributed to members, reported on personal income tax return

S-corp (requires IRS Form 8832/2553 and additional payment flows and admin tasks)

State-specific Franchise, property, excise, sales, and other tax considerations

Consult a lawyer for:

Contracts your LLC may enter into, including any customer or client-facing forms or terms

Any disputes or litigation

IP protections, such as copyright or trademark filings for your LLC's name, logo, or patents

Privacy and data-handling compliance

Any other legal or regulatory concerns, including questions about LLCs

Next Steps

Varia Law can assist with your LLC setup, documentation, website and SEO, and general strategy.
Email us at contact@varia.law

LLC Checklist

Name

Licensing and Formation

Finances and Accounts

Taxes, Retirement, Compliance

Next Steps