New Jersey, the Garden State, is located on the East Coast of the U.S. between New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Although it is one of the smallest states, it's the second-wealthiest and the most densely populated state in America, making it a great place to start a business.
New Jersey's economy is boosted by several major industries including tourism, finance and investment, telecommunications, food processing, agriculture, printing, equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and chemical production.
For most business owners, the fastest and easiest way to start a business in New Jersey is by creating a New Jersey 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 New Jersey corporations but with much simpler rules and regulations.
Briefly, the benefits of starting a New Jersey LLC include:
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure.
Six Quick Steps for Creating Your New Jersey LLC
We've got lots of useful information on starting a business in NJ. On this page you'll find the basic steps of how to form a New Jersey LLC, with more in-depth content throughout the rest of our guide.
STEP 1: Gather Information for Your Members
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.
STEP 2: Search for and Choose a Unique Business Name for Your New Jersey LLC
You will need a distinctive and original name for your New Jersey LLC that's not used by any other business in NJ. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out a New Jersey business entity name search on the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services 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 New Jersey LLC.
STEP 3: Provide an Official Address for Your NJ LLC
Every New Jersey 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 can be outside the state of New Jersey, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.
STEP 4: Assign a Registered Agent for Your New Jersey LLC
Every NJ LLC must have a “Registered Agent” when it is formed. 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 New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your NJ Registered Agent must have a physical street address in New Jersey and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.
At Incfile, all of our packages include a New Jersey 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.
STEP 5: Get an Employee Identification Number (EIN) From the Internal Revenue Service
You will need an EIN to identify your business to 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 New Jersey LLC business formation process.
STEP 6: File a Business Registration Application With the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Once you've gathered all the information together for your New Jersey LLC, you'll need to file a formal document with the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. This document is known as your “Business Registration Application,” and filing the document creates your New Jersey LLC. This is a long and complex form that requires detailed information.
You can file your New Jersey LLC Business Registration Application online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in New Jersey. You only need to file your Business Registration Application once.
The NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services has plenty of additional information on forming and running a business in New Jersey.
Special Types of New Jersey LLCs
A regular New Jersey LLC is suitable for most business needs, but you also have a few other options to incorporate a special type of LLC.
Form a Professional New Jersey LLC
Some states allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of business typically have specialized requirements and licensing. New Jersey does not formally recognize professional LLCs, but groups of professionals may form regular LLCs.
Form a Foreign LLC in New Jersey
If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to New Jersey, you'll need to form a foreign LLC.
More information on New Jersey filing and licensing requirements here
You'll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including:
How to search the New Jersey business registry of the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and find the right name. Includes information on naming rules, fictitious names, reserving a New Jersey LLC name and more.
How to appoint a New Jersey Registered Agent to your new LLC or change to a different Registered Agent. Includes information on Registered Agent rules and searching for New Jersey Registered Agents.
How to understand the various fees you'll need to pay and the requirements you'll need to meet for both federal and New Jersey rules. Includes details of Employee Identification Numbers (EINs), New Jersey and federal business licenses, New Jersey annual reports and more.
How to understand the various taxes you will need to pay to the federal and New Jersey government. Includes details of federal taxes like income and self-employment and New Jersey taxes like sales tax and income tax.
Clear Pricing. No Contracts. No Surprise.
The state charges this amount to file a new business entity. This fee goes directly to the Secretary of State.
| State Fee | State Filing Time | Expedited Filing Time |
| $130 | 5 Business Days | 1 Business Day |
This report is mandatory and must be filed within the specified time frame in order for the entity to remain in good standing with the state. Failure to file this report can lead to the company being revoked or administratively dissolved.
Frequency: Annually
Due Date: Last day of anniversary month of organization.
Filing Fee:$50
*All new business entities in New Jersey are required to file Form NJ-REG to be registered for tax and employer purposes. Filing Form NJ-REG ensures that the business is registered under the correct tax identification number and that it will receive the proper returns and notices. The NJ-REG, must be filed within 60 days of filing the new business entity, there is no fee for this filing.
Additional resources, guides, and articles for better decision making.
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