How To Start An LLC In Arizona Nov. 2025: A Complete Guide

Arizona offers several advantages if you’re looking to form and grow a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the U.S. It provides personal liability protection, uses straightforward filing requirements, and has no annual report or franchise tax. If you’re looking for a business-friendly state to form and maintain your LLC, Arizona is a great option, whether you’re a first-time business owner or a seasoned professional.

Even with its simple setup process, it’s good to have a helping hand when forming your Arizona LLC. This ensures that you comply with important state regulatory processes and remain in good standing. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to start an LLC in Arizona, including what to do when you’re officially approved.

How To Start An LLC In Arizona

Starting your Arizona LLC is a straightforward process when following my steps. I’ll guide you through the important state regulatory and legal processes, so your LLC has everything in place to operate efficiently. Here’s how to form an LLC in Arizona.

I’ve broken down the formation process into six simple steps:

1. Choose your LLC name.
2. Choose a Registered Agent.
3. File the Articles of Organization.
4. Complete the Publication Requirement.
5. Create an Operating Agreement.
6. Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
7. Obtain the required Arizona business licenses and permits.

1. Ensure Your LLC Name Is Unique

You must search for your desired business name in the ACC database to ensure it is unique and distinguishable from existing state businesses. This is your first and one of the main LLC filing requirements in Arizona when forming your LLC. If your name isn’t unique, your Articles of Organization won’t be accepted.

Use the ACC’s Business Entity Search tool to verify your name availability. This compares your desired LLC name to existing business records to confirm that your chosen name is unique and distinguishable.

2. Appoint Your Registered Agent

A Registered Agent, or Statutory Agent, is an individual or business service responsible for receiving Service of Process and important state correspondence on behalf of your LLC. This is a big part of your Arizona LLC registration process. They’re required to have an official physical Arizona business address (P.O. boxes are not allowed).

• Their name and address will appear on the ACC public record.
• They protect your personal details and help your business remain compliant and operate lawfully in Arizona.

Hiring a Registered Agent service on behalf of your LLC is an excellent idea if you don’t have a physical Arizona address or prefer to keep your personal information private. Check out my detailed guide looking at the Best Registered Services In Arizona.

3. Submit Your Articles Of Organization

Once you’ve found a unique business name and appointed a Registered Agent, your next step is to submit your Articles of Organization. This is an official state document that states your company name, purpose, Registered Agent, and members.

You must file your Articles of Organization with the ACC to officially form your LLC. This can be done online using the ACC’s eCorp portal or by mail.

Both filing methods require a one-time $50 fee.

You can complete the process by yourself by using my step-by-step guide on How To File Your Arizona Articles Of Organization.

4. Satisfy The LLC Publication Requirement

When your Articles of Organization have been submitted and your LLC is officially formed, you’re required to publish an official notice in a newspaper. This notifies the public that your business has officially been created.

While this requirement might seem outdated, you must publish an ad in one newspaper for three consecutive runs (Publications). This is according to Arizona law (A.R.S. § 29-3201(G)).

• You must complete this requirement within 60 days after your Articles of Organization have been filed with the ACC.
• An Affidavit of Publication may be filed with the ACC once the publication runs are completed. This acts as official proof that the notice requirement has been completed.

Check out my guide on the Arizona Newspaper Publication for a detailed breakdown.

a. Newspaper Publication Costs

It costs approximately $60 to $120 to publish the three official notices in a newspaper.

b. Publishing The Notice

You must publish the newspaper ads in the same county where your LLC’s Statutory Agent address is located.

5. Create Your Arizona LLC Operating Agreement

While not legally required in Arizona, an Operating Agreement (OA) is a crucial internal business document that outlines how your LLC is managed, the important business procedures, and the rights and responsibilities of all members and managers.

The main purpose of having an OA is for you to establish clear internal roles and rules on how your LLC operates and makes decisions. This protects your LLC’s Limited Liability status by confirming it as a separate legal entity.

Furthermore, it ensures that all members understand their roles and responsibilities, helping prevent internal disputes and potential future damage.

As an internal document, you do NOT need to file it with the ACC or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Keep it with your official business records and ensure that every member has their own signed copy.

• Use my free Operating Agreement template for both member-managed and manager-managed LLCs. You can download it using the link below.
• My detailed guide on How To Complete An Arizona LLC Operating Agreement provides step-by-step instructions.

7. Obtain An EIN For Your LLC

Once your Operating Agreement is completed, your next step is to obtain an EIN. This is a unique nine-digit business number that helps identify your business with the IRS for Federal Tax purposes.

Your EIN will be used to:

1. Open a dedicated business bank account.
2. Allow the state to identify your business when filing taxes.
3. Apply for local, state, and municipal licenses and tax permits.

These are all needed to complete your LLC formation process and ensure smooth business operations. Without one, you face potential state regulatory and legal issues.

The cost of applying for an EIN with the IRS is completely free.

You can do this using two main methods:

1. Online (My suggested method).
2. By mail or fax.

You should receive an EIN Confirmation Letter once your application is approved by the ACC.

a. Applying For An EIN Online

You should apply for your EIN online directly through the IRS website if you’re a U.S. resident and have a Social Security Number (SSN) or a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The full process takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Use my detailed guide for step-by-step instructions on How To Get An EIN Online.

b. Applying For An EIN By Mail Or Fax

You need to print and complete Form SS-4 and send it to the IRS if you’re a non-U.S. resident. You can also do this if you prefer not to file your documents online. However, this is significantly slower than the online method (Typically around 4 weeks plus mailing time).

Use my guide on How To File Form SS-4 for complete instructions.

7. Acquire The Necessary Arizona Business Licenses And Permits

Your last step before officially conducting business in Arizona is to obtain any required licenses and permits according to your location or industry. While Arizona does NOT require a General State-Level Business License, you may need specific licenses or permits depending on your business type and where you operate. These are issued by your county or city government.

For detailed information and resources, see my complete guide on Arizona Business Licenses.

You’ll need to get a TPT License to do this legally. This authorizes your LLC to collect and remit TPT to the state. You’ll have to renew this annually with the local licensing board to remain compliant.

For more details, read my comprehensive guide about the Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License.

Next Steps Once Your LLC Is Approved

Getting your Articles of Organization approved by the state is the first big step when forming your LLC. Complete these three additional steps to ensure your Arizona LLC remains compliant and operates lawfully in the state. I suggest that you do these ASAP once your LLC is approved.

1. Open your business bank account.
2. File your Annual Report.
3. File and pay your taxes.

1. Open Your Business Bank Account

Your next step, once you’ve received your EIN, is to open a separate LLC business bank account. This helps you with three main things:

1. Streamlines your record-keeping and accounting processes when doing your business finances.
2. Protects your limited liability shield by keeping your personal and business finances separate.
3. Confirms that your Arizona LLC is operating in the state as a separate business entity.

2. File Your Annual Report

An Annual Report is used to update your business information, including your address, management structure, and ownership. It’s a mandatory annual filing in most U.S. states when operating an LLC. Its main purpose is to maintain good standing with the state and keep your company records up to date.

You’re NOT required to file an Annual Report or an Annual Filing Fee when operating your LLC in Arizona. However, you may have other annual filing requirements depending on your business activities.

3. File And Pay Your Taxes

You don’t need to pay federal income taxes when operating as an LLC in Arizona. Instead, all members report and pay taxes on company profits. This becomes part of their personal income tax return, meaning they pay LLC taxes via pass-through taxation.

a. How Is My LLC Taxed?

Your LLC is taxed by the IRS based on the number of its members:

• A single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship.
• A multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership.

You also have the option to have your LLC taxed as an S-Corporation or C-Corporation. This requires you to file the appropriate election form with the IRS.

Your LLC may also be responsible for state and local taxes on top of your federal taxes. This includes sales and income tax.

• You’re required to pay the TPT if you sell products or taxable services. This is for the privilege of conducting business in the state.
• You must first obtain a TPT License from the Arizona Department of Revenue to legally collect and remit TPT.

Contact Details: Arizona Corporation Commission

You can contact the Arizona Corporation Commission if you have any questions regarding your LLC filings in Arizona. Their contact phone number is 602-542-3026 (Business hours are 8 A.M. – 5 P.M. MST (Monday – Friday).

Frequently Asked Questions