Forming an LLC in Connecticut
Located in the southern part of beautiful New England, Connecticut has the highest per capita and median household income in the U.S. Bordered by New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the state was very influential in the formation of the U.S.
Today, finance, insurance and other industries are major contributors to the state’s economy. Combined with a high disposable income, this makes Connecticut an ideal place for entrepreneurs. For most business owners, the fastest and easiest way to start a business in Connecticut is by creating a Connecticut LLC.
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a type of business entity that’s ideal for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses. You get the advantages and protections of larger CT corporations but with much simpler rules and regulations.
Briefly, the benefits of starting a Connecticut LLC include:
- Separating and limiting your personal liability from your business liability and debts
- Quick and simple filing, management, compliance, regulation and administration of your Connecticut LLC
- Easy tax filing and potential advantages for your tax treatment
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure here.
Start a Connecticut LLC in Six Quick Steps
This guide has plenty of information on how to form your Connecticut LLC, but you can break down the basics of forming a business in CT into just a few simple steps.
First, you need to gather basic information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of the managers or members. The LLC members are typically the people who own and run the business. They are also the ones who can take profits out of the business to pay themselves.
You will need a distinctive and original name for your Connecticut LLC that’s not used by any other business in CT. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out a Connecticut business entity name search on the CT Secretary of State website.
There are a few rules you’ll need to follow when choosing an LLC name. You can find out more in our guide to searching for and naming your Connecticut LLC.
Learn about Connecticut LLC business naming rules.
Every Connecticut LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building or any physical address of your preference. The address must be inside the state of Connecticut, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.
Every CT LLC or corporation must have a “Registered Agent.” This is an official position; the Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Connecticut Secretary of State.
This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your CT Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Connecticut and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.
At Incfile, all of our packages include a Connecticut Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. We also have a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document your Registered Agent has received on your behalf.
Learn more about Connecticut Registered Agents.
You will need an EIN to identify your business with the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or we can get one for you as part of the Connecticut LLC business formation process.
Once you've gathered all the information for your Connecticut LLC, you’ll need to file a formal document with the CT Secretary of State. Known in some states as “Articles of Organization,” in CT, this document is called your “Certificate of Organization,” and filing the document creates your Connecticut LLC. Here’s what is typically included:
- Your business name and addresses
- Details of your Registered Agent
- Names of managers or members of the LLC at the time of filing
- Addresses of managers or members of the LLC at the time of filing
- Name of the incorporator
You can file your Connecticut LLC Certificate of Organization online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in Connecticut. You only need to file your Certificate of Organization once.
Form your LLC now.
Review Information from the Connecticut Secretary of State
The CT Secretary of State has plenty of information on forming and running a business in Connecticut. These are all the basic steps for forming an LLC in Connecticut. You’ll find other useful information below:
Special Types of Connecticut LLCs
A regular Connecticut LLC is suitable for most business needs, but you also have a few other options to incorporate a special type of LLC.
Some states, including Connecticut, allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of businesses typically have special requirements and licensing. Here are the occupations that the CT Secretary of State allows to form Connecticut professional LLCs: Dentists, naturopaths, chiropractors, physicians and surgeons, physician assistants, doctors of dentistry, physical therapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, optometrists, nurses, nurse-midwives, veterinarians, pharmacists, architects, professional engineers (or jointly with architects and professional engineers), landscape architects, real estate brokers, insurance producers, certified public accountants and public accountants, land surveyors, psychologists, attorneys-at-law, licensed marital and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselors and licensed clinical social workers.
If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Connecticut, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC.
More information on Connecticut filing and licensing requirements here.
What to Do After Forming Your Connecticut LLC
Want to know your next steps after creating a new LLC in Connecticut? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to understanding your ongoing requirements, setting up new bank accounts, protecting your business name, getting accounting in place and more.
Detailed Information for Your Connecticut LLC
You’ll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including:
Naming Your Connecticut LLC
How to search the Connecticut business registry of the CT Secretary of State and find the right name. Includes information on naming rules, fictitious names, reserving a Connecticut LLC name and more.
Connecticut Registered Agents for Your LLC
How to appoint a Connecticut Registered Agent to your new LLC or change to a different Registered Agent. Includes information on Registered Agent rules and searching for Connecticut Registered Agents.
Fees and Requirements for Connecticut LLCs
How to understand the various fees you’ll need to pay and the requirements you’ll need to meet for both federal and Connecticut rules. Includes details of Employee Identification Numbers (EINs), Connecticut and federal business licenses, Connecticut Annual Reports and more.
Federal, State, Sales and Other Taxes for Your Connecticut LLC
How to understand the various taxes you will need to pay to the federal and Connecticut government. Includes details of federal taxes like income and self-employment, and Connecticut taxes like sales tax and income tax.
