If you are looking to the US as a place to expand your business empire, the state of Arizona could be a viable answer. Here are a few reasons why, along with details of what is involved to register a new company.
The United States has become a service economy, generating most of its revenue through service industries, and Arizona is a good example of this. Community, business and personal services including private health care, hotels and resorts, generate more revenue than any other service sector in Arizona. A huge part of their success is derived from tourism which is most popular in the winter.
The finance, insurance and real estate group ranks second in the services sector. Real estate such as office buildings and resorts are the most important.
Arizona’s manufacturing revenues are generated from high tech products like computers, electronic equipment and aerospace vehicles. Agriculture also plays an important role, with 47% of the state’s agricultural production made up of livestock, and 53% of crops. The top five products generating revenue in Arizona are cattle, lettuce, dairy products, cotton, and hay.
Company Registration Check-List
When setting up a company in Arizona you should take the following the steps:
• Register a trade name
The registration of trade names and marks is not legally required in Arizona but is still an accepted business practice. Corporations and Limited Liability Companies are advised to check name availability with the Corporation Commission. The Commission and the Secretary of State cross index protected names, so there is no need to register with both. Under Arizona law, an LLC name must contain the worlds ‘Limited Liability Company’ or an abbreviated form of this.
• File Articles of Organisation
An Arizona LLC is created by filing Articles of Organisation with the Arizona Corporation Commission. These must include the company’s name and address, the expected duration it will run for, names and addresses of the LLCs managers or members, and signature of the LLCs registered agent. The filing fee is $50.
• Appoint a registered agent
Every Arizona LLC must have an agent for the service of process in the state. This can be an individual or business entity that agrees to accept legal papers on the LLCs behalf if it is sued. The agent may be an individual who is a full time resident of Arizona or a business entity registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
• It is advisable to complete an operating agreement when setting up an LLC in Arizona.
• You must publish the Articles of Organisation in an Arizonan newspaper within 60 days following approval from the Commission and they must appear in three consecutive publications.
• If your LLC has more than one member, it must obtain its own IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN). If you form a one-member LLC, you must obtain an EIN for it only if you elect to have it taxed as a corporation instead of a sole proprietorship. You can apply for an EIN online on the IRS website, free of charge.
• All LLCs organised outside of Arizona but planning to do business in the state must register with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Non-US LLCs must appoint a registered agent physically located in Arizona for service of process. To register you should file an Application for Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company. A certificate of existence or similar document from the LLCs home state must be filed with the application. This costs around $150.
Before filing, you must check that the LLCs name does not already exist in Arizona by checking the Arizona Corporation Commission business name database.