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LLC Alaska Experts and 5 Steps to Your AK LLC

Have you finally decided to start your new business in Alaska? Congratulations! You might have questions about forming an Alaska limited liability company (LLC). Every state has different regulations for LLCs, and it’s important to understand Alaska’s rules before getting started. Read on to learn about starting an LLC in Alaska.

Start an Alaska LLC in 5 easy steps

To help, we’ll walk you through each step of the Alaska LLC creation process. Not looking forward to all of the legal paperwork you’ll have to file? Don’t worry — we’ll also explain how an LLC partner like us can be a helpful part of this process so you can focus on your new business without worrying about the administrative stuff. Starting an LLC in Alaska shouldn’t be hard, so rest easy and follow our guide.

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An infographic that explains how to form an LLC in 5 Steps

Starting your Alaska LLC

When forming an LLC in Alaska, you’ll want to register your company with the Secretary of State. When you do this, you’ll be creating a public record of your LLC Alaska with the state government, making it easier for them to contact you and keep you updated on any legal changes.

But first, you’ll need to make a few important decisions about your LLC, such as coming up with a name and deciding on a registered agent. Then, you’ll file paperwork such as articles of organization to establish your Alaska LLC, create an AK LLC operating agreement, and register with the IRS.

Step 1: Name your Alaska LLC

Step 1: Name your Alaska LLC

Naming your Alaska LLC will help you attract new customers and also serve to legitimize your business in the eyes of the state government. Deciding on a name for your LLC in Alaska is very important. Before you can officially register your LLC Alaska, you’ll need a business name.

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When choosing a name, you might want to go with something that’s catchy or easily explains what your business does or sells. It’s best to come up with a list of a few names, and if you have other members in your LLC Alaska, ask them to provide a few, as well. 

Check your new business name against existing LLC names in Alaska

Once you have your list, it’s time to decide on your final name, and you’ll want to start by looking at existing company names in Alaska. You can run a search following the instructions on our Alaska business name search page.

Ensure your LLC Alaska name is unique

One of the primary reasons you want to have a few names handy is that, in Alaska, your LLC’s name must be unique and cannot already belong to another business.

You’ll then want to decide on an LLC designator. All LLCs need a designator at the end of the business name. If you decide to name your business “Sue’s Salads,” your official business name would need a designator added, such as “Sue’s Salads, LLC.” There are several designators you can choose from. Here’s a full list of approved options:

Note that you’ll also want to check the state statute on what words can’t be used in your LLC name.

Reserve a Business Name for your Alaska LLC

If you find a name you like but aren’t yet ready to file your Articles of Organization, Alaska allows you to reserve a business name for 120 days for a fee. If you’d rather not deal with this process yourself, we have a business name reservation service that can handle it for you. As part of the service, we also check to see if your desired name is available.

Your business name is automatically registered when you file your Articles of Organization, so there’s no additional fee for registration. You also don’t need a business license to register your business name. 

A few other things you’ll want to think about when it comes to your Alaska LLC name:

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent in Alaska

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent in Alaska

Alaska law requires LLCs to assign a registered agent to their company. This position can be filled by a person or corporation. If it’s a person, that person must be a resident of Alaska only, defined under AS 01.10.055(a) as “being physically present in the state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in the state.”

Now that your name is reserved, it’s time to decide who should be your LLC’s Alaska registered agent.

What does an Alaska registered agent do?

Your registered agent will receive legal paperwork (such as notices of lawsuits) on behalf of the company. They’ll then pass these documents along to your LLC.

Since a registered agent can receive sensitive documents at any time during the business day, they’re required to have a physical office address within the state of Alaska. They’re also expected to keep regular business hours at this location. A P.O. box address is not allowed for your registered agent.

Consider the benefits of a registered agent service for your LLC

If you’re wondering if you can act as your company’s registered agent, the answer is yes (provided you’re a resident of Alaska, as we outlined above). However, many companies often decide to work with an outside registered agent service like what we offer through our third-party partner that can pass along legal paperwork to their LLC. 

Some additional benefits of a registered agent service include:

Step 3: File Alaska Articles of Organization

Step 3: File Alaska Articles of Organization

Register your LLC with the state by submitting the Articles of Organization. Once your name is selected, and your registered agent has been appointed, you’re ready to go ahead and submit the paperwork to register your Limited Liability Company with the state of Alaska. 

The form you’ll need to submit is called the Articles of Organization, and it can be filled out online or via mail. You’ll need to pay a fee when filing online or through the mail.

Filing official government documents like this can be intimidating for many people, which is why we’re here. With our business formation plans, our professionals handle the filing for you to make sure it’s done quickly and correctly the first time. But, although we can handle this for you, we’ll show you how the process works below.

Mail the articles of organization to

For those who choose to mail in the Articles of Organization, send it to:

State of Alaska
Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
PO Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806 

When filling out your form, you’ll need the below information ready:

File an Alaska initial report for your new LLC

Within six months of your LLC being approved, you’ll also need to file an Initial Report with the state. This report is due six months after your LLC is registered to keep your information up to date with the local government. You can fill out the form online or access a PDF to print and mail on the state website. There’s no filing fee for your Initial Report.

Keep the newly formed Alaska LLC documents in one digital dashboard

If you have us handle filing your Articles of Organization, once the state approves your LLC, your paperwork will be available from your ZenBusiness dashboard, where you can keep it and other important paperwork digitally organized. 

Once you get your physical paperwork back from the state approving your new LLC, you’ll want to keep it in a safe location along with your other important documents, such as your operating agreement, member certificates, contracts, compliance checklists, transfer ledger, etc. We offer a customized business kit to help you keep these important documents organized and looking professional.

Step 4: Create an Alaska operating agreement

Step 4: Create an operating agreement

In Alaska, you’re not required to create an operating agreement to register your LLC. However, having an LLC operating agreement is a smart move that can further protect your business and avoid potential conflicts among the members.

An Alaska operating agreement covers the terms of your LLC’s ownership and management hierarchy to better protect all parties involved in the LLC. For multi-member LLCs, this is particularly important, as it can detail voting structures and help determine different rules for members.

Even if you’re the sole member of your LLC, an operating agreement is important to have in case you’re incapacitated or otherwise unable to run your company.

In addition, operating agreements make a stronger separation between your business and personal assets, which can protect your personal savings accounts from any legal liability if your company is ever sued. If you have a multi-member LLC, all members in your LLC should review, agree to, and sign your operating agreement.

Alaska LLC operating agreement template

While a lot of thought has to go into creating a solid operating agreement, you don’t have to start from scratch. With a partner like us, you can use our customizable operating agreement template to draft an operating agreement well-suited for your company’s interests that are also affordable.

Step 5: apply for an EIN

Step 5: Apply for an EIN

Now that the initial paperwork for your LLC is out of the way, it’s time for you to get your business set up with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The first step you’ll want to take is registering for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Tax ID Number or Federal Tax Identification Number. 

Your company’s EIN works like your personal Social Security number. It identifies your company to the federal and state government and allows you to file taxes and hire new employees.

If you’re the only member of an LLC and have no employees, you might not have to apply for an EIN, even though it can be helpful. Your EIN can help you separate business and personal accounts and may make it easier to handle your taxes.

You can get your Alaska LLC’s EIN through the IRS website, by mail, or by fax, but if you’re unfond of dealing with that particular government agency, we can get it for you. Our EIN service is quick and eliminates the hassle.

Open a Business Bank Account for your Alaska LLC

Once you’ve secured an EIN, you’ll be able to open a business bank account. Having separate accounts for your business and your personal banking is critical for sorting out your finances at tax time and helps you avoid commingling funds.

Commingling funds can not only make your taxes more difficult but it could also be used against you if someone takes you to court to challenge whether you and your LLC are truly separate entities.

New business banking payment and invoicing solutions for your LLC

We offer a discounted bank account for your new business. This allows for unlimited transactions, online banking, a debit card, and more. When you want to authorize others in your business to use the account, we offer a banking resolution template to simplify the process. For further help managing your new business’s finances, try ZenBusiness Money. It can help you create invoices, receive payments, transfer money, and manage clients all in one place.

Get help setting up an Alaska Limited Liability Company

We hope this guide helped you learn more about the steps you’ll need to take to set up your LLC in Alaska. Although this setup process can be handled entirely in-house, you don’t need to take on the administrative burden alone. We can work side-by-side with your LLC to help you navigate through the LLC formation process.

Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help get your business off the ground fast.

Would you like to learn more about starting a business in Alaska? Get in touch today!

Are you already an Alaska small business owner? Find out more about how we can help you manage or grow your Alaska small business!

Alaska LLC FAQs

  • How much does it cost to start an LLC in Alaska?

    The state fees for forming an Alaska LLC range from $250 to $275, depending on factors such as whether you choose to reserve your business name.

    Note that fees change over time, so you should check the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing website for the most recent fee schedule.

  • What are the benefits of an LLC in Alaska?

    Many new and small businesses decide to form LLCs because of the flexible and simple structure this business type allows. LLCs let you separate personal assets and liabilities from the company’s and offer many other protections.  

    Here are a few of the main benefits you’ll receive by setting up an LLC in Alaska:

    • Separation of personal finances and liabilities from your LLC’s legal liability and/or business debts
    • An easily adaptable business and management structure that lets you set up your business for success
    • Only pay personal taxes rather than paying taxes on both your company profits and individual earnings, as you would with most corporations.
    • Fewer reporting requirements and regulations than most corporations

    Want more information on the LLC business structure? Check out our comprehensive guide on LLCs.

  • What is the processing time to form my Alaska LLC?

    It can take between 10 to 15 business days to process your Articles of Organization when filing a hard copy. Online filing is usually processed immediately. 

  • Do I need to file my operating agreement with the state of Alaska?

    No, an operating agreement is not required in Alaska to register an LLC.

    Although this isn’t mandatory, an operating agreement can serve an important function in detailing how your company management and voting structure works, which can resolve conflict in the future.

  • How is an Alaska LLC taxed?

    Thankfully, by starting an LLC, you’re exempt from double taxation, but there are a few more things you should know about LLC tax rules.

    Managing the taxes for your LLC might seem complicated if you’ve never handled them before. While the rules are fairly straightforward.

    You can’t go wrong by partnering with an experienced accountant or tax specialist who’s fully versed in Alaska’s small business laws and requirements.

    Here are some of the main federal and state tax requirements for LLCs in Alaska:

    • If you’re the only member of your LLC, you’ll by default be taxed as a sole proprietorship, meaning you’ll include all of your business income and expenditures on your individual tax return.
    • If your LLC has more than one member, your LLC will be treated as a partnership by default. As mentioned above, an EIN will be mandatory, as will a yearly filing of an information return that will specify the exact amounts that every member of your LLC invested in or received from the business.
    • Some LLCs might choose to be taxed as a C corporation. If that’s the case, you’ll want to fill out an 8832 tax form with the IRS. Every year, you’ll file your state and federal business tax returns, listing all of your business investments, profits, losses, expenses, and employee salaries. Profits from the business will be taxed on the business tax returns, and your share of the business profits will be taxed again on your individual tax return. To be taxed as an S corporation, you’ll need Form 2553. 
    • As an LLC, you’ll be responsible for paying quarterly taxes. You can avoid tax penalties when paying at the end of the year by making estimated quarterly tax payments for your state and federal taxes. If your company has employees, you’ll also be responsible for withholding federal, Social Security, and Medicare taxes from their paychecks. These withholdings will then need to be submitted to the IRS. This will not need to be done on the state level since Alaska does not have personal income tax requirements.

    If you want to determine your bookkeeping, accounting, and tax needs, check out our Free Accounting Assessment.

  • What tax structure should I choose for my Alaska LLC?

    Most LLC owners decide to have their business taxed the default way, which is as a sole proprietorship or “disregarded entity” (for single-member LLCs) or a partnership (for multi-member LLCs).

    This method only requires members to pay federal income taxes on their percentage of the profits on their personal tax returns.

    The LLC itself is not taxed. This avoids the “double taxation” that corporate shareholders pay, in which profits are taxed both at the business level and the personal level.

    In Alaska, you’ll only pay taxes on your income at the federal level, as Alaska doesn’t have a personal income tax requirement.

    Large LLCs or high-earning companies might choose to be taxed as a corporation.

    Be sure to reach out to an experienced tax preparer or accountant if you have any additional questions about the best way for your business to pay taxes.

  • Does Alaska allow a Series LLC?

    A Series LLC, which refers to one or more LLCs under the umbrella of a parent LLC, is a concept that appeals to many business entrepreneurs.

    However, Series LLCs are not legal in all states. Currently, Alaska does not allow you to form a Series LLC.

  • Which licenses and permits are required for an LLC in Alaska?

    You are required to have an Alaska business license before conducting business in the state. You can do this online or by mail. In either case, there’s a fee.

    The business license must be renewed either once a year for the same fee or twice a year for double the amount, depending on your initial application.

    Regardless of the date you purchased the license, it expires on December 31. 

    In addition to the general business license, you’ll need to make sure your LLC has all the other licenses and permits it’s required to have by law.

    Unfortunately, because licensing varies by industry and location and can occur on the federal, state, and local levels, there’s no central place to check to see if you have all the licenses and permits you need. You’ll have to do some research.

    If you don’t have the time or inclination to do all this research, or if you just want the peace of mind to know that your business has all the licenses and permits it’s legally required to have, our business license report service can do the work for you.

  • When do I file my Alaska LLC biennial report?

    Every two years, Alaska requires LLCs to file a biennial report. This report is submitted to keep your company’s information up to date with the state government.

    Your biennial report is due by July 2 every other year and can be mailed in or filed online. If filing via mail, you’ll need to search for your business on the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development website to access the form. There is a fee involved with filing.

    We can help you with your biennial report in a couple of ways. Our Alaska biennial report service will help you file your biennial report.

    Our Worry Free Compliance service not only helps with filing your biennial report, but also sends you other important compliance reminders and helps you with two amendments filings each year.

  • How do I dissolve my LLC in Alaska?

    If you find you need to dissolve your LLC at any time, you can do this online in Alaska. Before dissolving your LLC, you’ll want to close any business accounts or tax accounts in your LLC’s name since this can be hard to do after the LLC is dissolved.

    Once your accounts have been canceled, you’re ready to file your Articles of Dissolution. This form will ask for the name of your LLC, the date or organization (and dates of any amendments made), the reason for the dissolution, the date of dissolution, and your signature.

    There is a filing fee for this form. You can mail your Articles of Dissolution or submit a signed copy online.

    Once accepted, your LLC will be dissolved.

    To learn more about the process of LLC dissolution in the state of Alaska go to this page.

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