What Are Arizona LLC Forms?

Arizona LLC forms are the legal documents required by the State of Arizona that includes the Articles of Organization. These documents need to be filed with the Arizona Corporate Commission. The date the Articles of Organization are filed is when the LLC is created, if the documents are approved. 

What Are the Benefits of Forming an LLC in Arizona?

  • It is easy to become an LLC in the state of Arizona. 
  • It is an affordable business structure. 
  • LLCs save money when it comes time to file taxes. 
  • LLCs limit liability for its members.
    – If a person or another company sues an LLC, they won't be able to get access to the member's assets.
    – If a person or a company sues a member or owner personally, they won't be able to get funds from the LLC.
  • In Arizona, you can have as many members in your LLC as you would like.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does it take for the State of Arizona to process LLC forms?
    It typically takes between one and two weeks. 
  • Does this process differ for professional services, such as lawyers and doctors?
    Yes. The owners of professional service LLCs need to contact relevant licensing boards for additional requirements.
  • How can you file LLC forms?
    You can file your LLC forms in person, online, or via the mail.
  • Where can I find acceptable newspapers to post the Notice for Publication?
    The Arizona Corporation Commission maintains a list of legal newspapers for individual counties on its website.
  • When should I publish the Notice for Publication for my LLC?
    You should wait until your LLC's Articles of Organization are approved before publishing your Notice for Publication. Otherwise, you may end up wasting money and time having the notice published if your Articles of Organization end up not being approved. 
  • Which LLCs do not have to publish a Notice of LLC formation?
    LLCs in Maricopa County and Pima County do not have to publish a Notice of LLC formation with a local newspaper.

What Are the Steps to Filling Out Arizona LLC Forms?

1. Choose a distinguishable name for your LLC.

  • You can research what LLC names are already taken on your own, or you can use the Arizona Corporation Commission's online name database.
  • Also, confirm that the chosen name will not infringe on existing trademarks by searching the online database maintained by the United States Patent & Trademark Office.

2. File your LLC's Articles of Organization with the Arizona Corporate Commission. 

  • The Articles of Organization should explain the terms of membership in the LLC, assign roles, list who manages the organization, how new members are added or removed, and how the LLC can be dissolved. 
  • You must also include a cover sheet, a document that outlines who is a member and how the LLC is to be run, and the Statutory Agent Acceptance form. 
  • Remember to include the filing fee, which is around $50.
  • Make sure that your LLC's Articles of Organization includes the required information found in the Arizona Revised Statutes Section 29-632.

3. If the Arizona Corporation Commission rejects your Articles of Corporation, you have 20 days to fix the document. 

4. If the Arizona Corporate Commission approves your LLC, you will need to publish a notice of the LLC's formation in an approved legal newspaper. 

  • You must file this document within 60 days of approval from the Arizona Corporate Commission. 
  • It is required to be published three times, consecutively. 

5. Choose a resident agent who will accept legal paperwork on behalf of the LLC.

6. Write up an operating agreement for your LLC.

  • Arizona does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement. However, it is a smart move to create one anyway. This will help guide how your LLC functions and develop realistic plans and expectations for its operation.

7. Register for an EIN for the LLC and pay taxes.

  • Arizona LLCs are responsible for federal income tax.
  • For LLCs with multiple members, registering for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is required. 
  • What exactly you need to file will depend on how your LLC chooses to be taxed. For instance, LLCs that function as sole proprietorships report income and expenses on the sole proprietors income tax returns, but LLCs that are taxed as corporations file corporate tax forms instead.

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