How To Start A Business In Alaska 2024?

How To Start A Business In Alaska
Starting a business in Alaska is a great choice. Photo: G-Stock Studio/Shutterstock

Alaska may not be the first state that springs to mind when people think of fantastic areas to start a business because it is located far beyond the reach of the continental United States. Alaska, on the other hand, is one of the most tax-friendly states in the US, providing a low-risk environment for entrepreneurs to start and build a business.

Starting a business in Alaska is a wonderful choice for entrepreneurs, with the lowest tax burden in the country and the fourth-fastest pace of startup growth. Start your business today with our easy step-by-step instructions and put yourself on the fast track to financial and personal freedom.

11 Basic Steps To Start A Business In Alaska 2024

  • Pick a business idea
  • Plan your business 
  • Get funding
  • Choose a business structure
  • Register your Alaska business
  • Set up banking, credit cards & accounting
  • Get Insured
  • Obtain Permits & Licenses
  • Hire employees
  • Build a business website
  • Promo your business

How To Start A Business In Alaska?

Pick A Business Idea

Choosing what type of business to start is the first step toward becoming a small business owner. Look for a concept that aligns with your passions, personal ambitions, and natural abilities. This will keep you motivated when things become tough and increase your chances of success significantly.

Plan Your Business 

Successful enterprises are the result of meticulous preparation. Before investing a large amount of money or other resources in your Alaskan business, thoroughly evaluate your concept and develop a game plan. The following sections should be included in your business plan:

  • Executive summary synopsis of your company and why it will succeed.
  • The business description highlights the benefits of your company and the challenges it solves.
  • Conduct market research into your sector, target market, and prospective competitors.
  • Personnel and organization describe the mechanics and bolts of your company, including how it’s structured and who will be in charge.
  • Description of the product or service declares what you’re selling or offering in your marketing strategy. Describe your customer-attraction strategy.
  • Fundraising – How much money you’ll need to build your firm over the next five years and how you’ll spend it
  • Data and balance sheets are used to create a financial projection for your company.

Get Funding

It’s no secret that you’ll need money to start a business, but there are a few things you’ll need to accomplish first before you can get the money you’ll need to cover initial fees. Before you look for outside finance, figure out how much your business will cost. This will assist you in determining the best finance source for your Alaska company’s needs.

Choose A Business Structure

Create a formally legal business entity for your Alaska corporation. Learn which business structure is best for your new Alaska company.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business structure where the owner is not separated from the business. This means that the owner receives 100 percent of the earnings from the firm.

LLCs

The personal asset protection of a corporation is combined with the freedom of a partnership or sole proprietorship in a limited liability company (LLC).

Corporations

A company is a separate legal body whose stockholders own it. Corporations have more formal laws and are more appealing to investors than LLCs.

Nonprofits

A nonprofit organization relies on donations rather than an investment to fund its operations. Nonprofit organizations are often formed to serve a social cause and are tax-exempt.

Partnership

A partnership is an unincorporated business structure having many owners, similar to a sole proprietorship.

Register Your Alaska Business

The next stage is to form your company after you’ve decided on a business structure. There are a few basic steps to follow no matter what formal business structure you choose, including:

  • Choosing a business name
  • Choosing a registered agent: a person or company who accepts tax and legal documents on behalf of your company.
  • Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN): An EIN is a number that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) assigns to businesses to help them be identified for tax purposes.
  • Documents for formation are being filed.

Set Up Banking, Credit Cards & Accounting

Personal asset protection necessitates the use of distinct business banking and credit accounts. When your personal and corporate accounts are intermingled, your personal assets are put in danger if your company is issued. These three actions will help you secure your Alaska business:

  • First, get a business bank account.
  • Second, get a credit card for your business.
  • Third, creating a business accounting system.

Getting a business credit card will help you separate personal and business expenses.

Get Insured

In Alaska, business insurance allows you to minimize risks while focusing on expanding your company. The following are the most typical types of company insurance to consider:

  • Insurance for General Liability
  • For Workers’ Compensation
  • Insurance for Professional Liability

Obtain Permits & Licenses

Different business licenses[1] and permits are required to start a business in Alaska, depending on the type of operation. An Alaska business license search will help you figure out what business licenses your company requires.

Hire Employees

Building a good team is the key next stage in launching a successful business for any firm (unless you plan to be a single employee). But it’s not just about finding the ideal people; you also need to make sure you’re following all of the legal criteria for employing staff.

Build A Business Website

The next stage is to construct a website for your business. While developing a website is an important step, some people may believe it is out of their grasp due to a lack of website-building skills.

Promo Your Business

There are numerous ways to promote your business in Alaska. However, the following are the most effective:

  • Press Releases  
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Google My Business 

Types Of Business Start In Alaska 

Types Of Business Start In Alaska
There are some types of businesses you can consider. Photo: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

Here are a few of the expanding business types in Alaska.

Start An Online Business

Internet business is ideal if you want to earn money from the comfort of your own home. Many people in Alaska make a full-time living via online enterprises. Blogging, affiliate marketing, online teaching, freelance writing, selling courses, and other profitable options are just a few.

The Restaurant Business

Alaska has one of the largest populations in the United States, which means there’s plenty of room for you to succeed in the food industry.

Promote Petroleum – Related Products

Alaska manufactures a variety of specialty products as a petroleum center. Working with these production firms as a marketing agency in Alaska gives you a lot of options.

Filing Requirements & Overall In Alaska LLC Cost

A $250 fee is required to form an Alaska LLC online. When submitting the LLC’s Articles of Organization, this fee[2] is paid to the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

Fee For A Registered Agent

You can be your registered agent in Alaska, but hiring a registered agent service keeps your company compliant and informs you of critical filing dates, so you don’t have to pay late fines.  For the first year, registered agent fees start at $39 per year.

Fee For Filing An LLC Alaska Online

The $250 price to register your LLC’s Articles of Organization online with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development is the most expensive element of incorporating an LLC.

Fee For The Alaska Biennial Report

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development in Alaska requires LLCs to file a biennial report. A biennial report can be sent or submitted online. The charge is $200, and the report is due every other year on January 2.

Fee For Renewing A Business License

Every year, Alaska LLCs must renew their state business license. Normally, there is a $50 renewal cost.[3] However, that fee has been suspended since February 2021. Companies that offer tobacco or nicotine-containing products must pay an extra $100 endorsement charge.

The Top 2 LLC Services

ZenBusinessNorthwest
AwardBest OverallBest LLC formation packages
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ZenBusiness

Because of the extensive range of services that ZenBusiness offers, it is the best LLC service in Alaska. Their packages are pricey, but given the wide range of services they provide, they are an excellent bargain.

Northwest

Northwest Registered Agent is also the top LLC service in Alaska because they have the cheapest formation plan and the greatest customer support of any provider on this list.

Important Steps After Forming A Business In Alaska 

Important Steps After Forming A Business In Alaska
There are some important steps to take after forming a business. Photo: fizkes/Shutterstock

Keep Your Personal And Business Assets Separate

When you mix your personal and business accounts, your personal assets (your home, car, and other possessions) are in danger if your Alaska LLC is issued. This is referred to as piercing the corporate veil in business law.

Obtain Business Insurance

Business insurance allows you to control risks while focusing on expanding your company. Purchasing insurance coverage to protect yourself in the event of property damage or legal action is a good idea regardless of the sort of business you start.

Make A Website For Your Business

Putting up a website is a huge step in establishing credibility for your company. Every company requires a website. Even if you believe your company is too small or operates in an offline industry, if you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on a significant portion of prospective consumers and money.

Final Thoughts

The nation’s largest state could also provide significant opportunities for the right person with the right idea. We can assist you with starting your dream business in Alaska or anyplace else in the United States. Our numerous services are designed to assist you in starting, running, and expanding your business, allowing you to concentrate on the areas of it that you enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Alaska, how long does it take to start a company?

Processing timeframes in Alaska vary depending on volume, entity type, and season. The state will handle your request in 7 to 10 business days on average, but as quickly as 3 business days for rush service.

Is it possible to serve as my own registered agent in Alaska?

Yes. Anyone over 18 with a physical residence in Alaska can act as a registered agent for a company.

Does an LLC have to pay sales tax?

Yes. An LLC isn’t exempt from collecting sales tax on products or other tangible personal properties sold in the various jurisdictions where their businesses currently operate.

Is a Federal Employer Identification Number the same as an EIN?

Your EIN is required on your business tax returns, business tax account, and tax-related documents. It is also required by many banks, financial institutions, credit card companies, and vendors. Note: A federal employment identification number (FEIN) is the same thing as an employer identification number (EIN).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Jazmin Castello holds a Master's degree in Business Management, owns two companies, and has also published a self-help book. When she is not working or writing, she likes to spend time with her family and to travel.

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Bizreport Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Bizreport, you can read more about the editorial process here.

  1. Alaska.gov. (2023). New BL Online, Business Licensing, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. [online] Available at: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/BusinessLicensing/NewBLOnline.aspx.
  2. Alaska.gov. (2023). Business Licensing Forms & Fees, Business Licensing, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. [online] Available at: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/BusinessLicensing/BusinessLicensingFormsFees.aspx.
  3. Alaska.gov. (2023). Renew BL Online, Business Licensing, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. [online] Available at: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/BusinessLicensing/RenewBLOnline.aspx.
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