Connecticut LLC

What is a Connecticut LLC?

A Connecticut LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and paying the appropriate filing fee. A Connecticut LLC is governed by its Operating Agreement, which is written and agreed upon by its members, and which lays out the management structure of the company. Each member offers a capital contribution in return for an ownership percentage.

Learn more below about the structure of a Connecticut LLC and how one is formed.

Connecticut LLC Requirements

1. Connecticut Certificate of Organization
2. State Filing Fee of $120.
3. A Statutory Agent located in Connecticut. See our service here.
4. Beneficial Ownership Information Report filing. Report due after LLC formation starting January 1, 2024.

Connecticut LLC Structure

CT Limited Liability Companies are structured legally with the Connecticut Certificate of Organization for a Limited Liability Company. Like many states, the document for an LLC is short and simple.

The required information to be listed:

• Name of LLC
• Addresses
• Registered Agent
• Management

Name

The name MUST INCLUDE a business designation, such as Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Co., Ltd. Liability Company, or Ltd. Liability Co. Professional LLCs must contain P.L.L.C., PLLC, Professional Limited Liability Company. Limited may be abbreviated “Ltd” and Company may be abbreviated “Co” and the name must be distinguishable from all other active business names on record with this office.

Addresses

An address of your Principal Office and Mailing Address must be provided for the Connecticut LLC. The addresses absolutely cannot be a Po Box.

Statutory Agent

A statutory agent for service of process (or registered agent) provides a physical street location where certified business mail and, specifically, service of process can be delivered. Service of process is notification of a lawsuit. Every business entity is required to have a registered agent in order to guarantee that the business is also notified in the event of a legal dispute.

The registered agent accepts service of process and business mail and contacts clients whenever documents are accepted. Clients must be contacted and documents forwarded in a reasonable period of time.

Management

You will be required to list at least one manager or member in your paperwork. You can have as many managers or members as you want, but only three will be displayed on the online public record.

Advantages of a Connecticut LLC

1. Low Annual Fees: Connecticut LLCs are required to file an Annual Report each year, but the fee is an attractively low $80 (corporations, by comparison, pay $150). All businesses in Connecticut must pay a business entity tax, but Connecticut LLCs pay this tax only every other year. The $250 BET is assessed biennially to keep overall business fees low.
2. Strategic Location: Connecticut LLCs are strategically located within one of the most diverse and wide-ranging areas of the nation. Though Connecticut is a small state, it is easily within driving distance of the large metropolises of New York City, Boston and Washington DC. Within a 200 mile radius a full 13% of the US economy flows. A Connecticut LLC is in excellent position to service a large cross-section of the economy.
3. Educated Workforce: Connecticut is home to 42 colleges and universities, providing the state with one of the most highly educated workforces in the nation. Connecticut LLCs can draw upon this skilled, educated and well-developed pool of potential employees to propel their business long into the 21st century. According to current estimates, workforce productivity in Connecticut is 31% above the national average.
4. Local Investment: The State of Connecticut is deeply committed to the success of Connecticut LLCs and other business entities in the state. The state has created the Small Business Express Program, approved the Economic and Manufacturing Assistance Act, organized the First Five Program, as well as many other incentives to help fund Connecticut businesses and fuel economic growth. Connecticut LLCs have access to a tremendous number of resources, financing, incentives and small business loans.

How to File a Connecticut LLC

Steps in forming a Connecticut LLC:

1. Select a name for your LLC. Connecticut requires an LLC to use one of the following designations in your name: Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Co., Ltd. Liability Company, or Ltd. Liability Co.Your LLC name must be distinguishable from all other business entities already registered in the state. You can do a Connecticut business name search to see if your name is available.
2. To form an LLC in Connecticut, you must file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. There is a $120 filing fee.
3. When you form an LLC, you must appoint a Connecticut statutory agent for service of process (also known as a registered agent). A registered agent accepts service of process on behalf of your LLC. The appointment is made on the Articles of Organization.
4. After your LLC is formed, you will need to write an operating agreement. The operating agreement is the internal document that lays out the ownership of your company and outlines how your business operates.
5. You can now open business bank accounts. Most banks will require copies of your Articles of Organization and operating agreement. Accounts must be opened in person. You can authorize an individual to open accounts for your company in your operating agreement.
6. When you form an LLC in Connecticut, you will be required to file an annual report each year. This can be filed online with the Secretary of State. There is a $80 filing fee. Connecticut LLCs must also pay a biennial Business Entity Tax of $250. This is paid through the Department of Revenue and can be paid online.
7. Once your LLC is formed with the state, you need to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, starting January 1, 2024. The BOI report is free to file and must be submitted online.

Additional Resources: 

How to Start a Connecticut LLC
How to Form an LLC in Connecticut (paper filing)

Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Connecticut?

An LLC cannot be its own statutory agent for service of process. You must appoint either an individual resident of the state or another business entity. In either case, the agent must have a physical street address in Connecticut.

Is My Member and Manager Information Public?

Yes. When you form an LLC, you are required to list the name, title, physical business address and residence address of at least one member or manager of the LLC. You can list as many members or managers as you want, however, only three members or managers will be listed within the Secretary of State database.

Can I Reserve a Name for My LLC?

Yes. If you want to reserve your name, you can file an Application for Reservation of Name with the Secretary of State. There is a $60 filing fee. The reservation lasts for a period of 120 days.

Connecticut Annual Report and Business Entity Tax

A Connecticut LLC is required to file an annual report each year. You must file between January 1 and March 31. There is a $80 filing fee. The report can be filed online.

All business entities in Connecticut are required to pay a biennial Business Entity Tax of $250. The tax is paid to the Department of Revenue and can be filed on their website.

Federal Beneficial Ownership Information Report Filing

As a newly-formed LLC, you’ll probably need to submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The BOI report provides the federal government with basic information about your LLC and the people with the most power over your business decisions and profits. Starting January 1, 2024, this report is due following company formation. This report is a little complicated, but we can make filing painless with our $9 BOI report filing service.

Why Hire Corporate Filing Solutions to Form Your Connecticut LLC?

Starting your LLC in Connecticut shouldn’t be a hassle or a time consumer. That’s why we offer Filings Made Easy™ to make starting an LLC in Connecticut super easy.

Hire us and relax while our filing experts form your new Connecticut LLC. Our staff will process orders the same business day as they are received. To make things even easier, we bundle the first year of Statutory Agent service and ensure your Connecticut LLC comes fully equipped and ready to do its job.

Start your LLC in Connecticut and get Statutory Agent service for as low as $55 a year.