Prepared by U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.
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LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
FORMATION PACKAGE
STATE OF ARIZONA
Control Number: AZ-00LLC
The contents of this package are as follows:
1. Statutory Reference
2. Introduction
3. Forms List
4. Notes on Downloading the Forms
5. Notes on Completing the Forms
6. Instructions and Steps
7. Accessories
8. Sample Ledger and Certificate
9. Disclaimer
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
FORMATION PACKAGE – ARIZONA
Electronic Version
Statutory Reference
ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, §§ 29-601 through 29-857 (Arizona Limited Liability Company Act)
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp
Click this link to view statutes, or paste link into the address window of your Internet browser.
Introduction
Created by state statutes to encourage business activity, a limited liability company (LLC) is a
“hybrid” type of business organization, with characteristics of both a partnership and a
corporation and many of the advantages of both. Like a corporation, the limited liability
company is a legal entity separate from its owners who are known as “members.” Barring some
other arrangement, members normally vote on any proposed action for the LLC, with the number
of votes per member typically corresponding to his or her percentage of ownership interest in the
business. Some of the advantageous benefits of an LLC include flexible ownership and
management, protection from liability for owners, and tax advantages.
FLEXIBILITY
A limited liability company generally has fewer legal formalities to observe than a corporation,
and is simpler to create and maintain. The ownership and management of an LLC is more
flexible than a corporation and very closely resembles that of a partnership. Keeping of corporate
minutes is not required. Management and control of an LLC is vested with its members unless
stated otherwise in the LLC’s Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some
states). The owners of an LLC are called “members” and differ from the shareholders of a
corporation because members are allowed to participate in the management of an LLC without
being appointed to a managerial position such as a director or officer of a corporation.
IRS rules now allow an LLC to choose between being taxed as a partnership or as a corporation
(most choose partnership, but see below). If an LLC has more than one member, the relationship
between those members is governed by a written operating agreement. Although an LLC used to
be required to be comprised of at least two LLC members, today most states and the IRS
recognize the single-member LLC as a legitimate business structure.
LIMITED LIABILITY
In most cases, only the LLC is responsible for the company’s debts and the members are
protected from being individually liable. As a result, the member’s assets are typically not at risk
if the LLC is sued or cannot pay its debts. To maintain this limited liability protection for the
members the LLC must follow requirements such as holding member meetings and documenting
decisions through resolutions. However, there are some exceptions where individual members
may be held liable if he or she:
* Personally and directly injures someone
* Personally guarantees a bank loan or a business debt on which the LLC defaults
* Fails to deposit taxes withheld from employees’ wages
* Intentionally does something fraudulent, illegal, or clearly wrong that causes harm to the
company or to someone else, or
* Treats the LLC as an extension of her personal affairs, rather than as a separate legal entity.
TAXATION
Many tax benefits are available to LLCs and members including “pass through” tax treatment of
profits and losses, easy allocation of profits and losses to different members, and elimination of
payroll taxes for members’ cash withdrawals. The earnings of an LLC are not subject to
corporate taxes; instead, the profits flow through to the owners in proportion to their ownership.
However, LLC owners can instead elect to have their LLC taxed like a corporation. This may
reduce taxes for LLC owners who will regularly need to retain a significant amount of profits in
the company.
DISADVANTAGES
An LLC does not allow ownership to be transferred through sale of shares in the same way as
corporate stock ownership allows. In most jurisdictions, ownership interest may only be
transferred or created with the consent of a majority of the other members, unless the articles of
organization provide for a greater or lesser level of consent.
An LLC may abruptly cease to exist. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or
a written operating agreement (which may for example allow a majority of members to vote to
continue the LLC), an LLC is dissolved at the death, withdrawal, resignation, expulsion, or
bankruptcy of any member. The LLC operating agreement can prevent this kind of abrupt ending
to your business by including certain provisions setting up guidelines for what will happen when
one member retires, dies, becomes disabled or leaves the LLC.
FORMATION
Not all businesses can operate as LLCs. Businesses in the banking, trust and insurance industry,
for example, are typically prohibited from forming LLCs. In addition, some states prohibit
professionals such as architects, accountants, doctors and other licensed healthcare workers from
forming LLCs, requiring a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) or other entity.
State laws governing LLCs vary from state to state. However, if the LLC will have significant
business or member contacts (a.k.a. "presence") within a state, it should be formed in that state.
Otherwise, it may be subject to fees and/or taxes for doing business in an outside state. If an LLC
is required to qualify to do business in an outside state, it may have to pay filing fees and
franchise taxes as a foreign LLC to the outside state.
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
The existence of an LLC begins when a document typically known as the “Articles of
Organization” are filed with the Secretary of State’s Business/Corporate Division. The Articles
of Organization is the primary document constituting the legal identity of the LLC. If there are
any conflicting provisions in other LLC forms or documents (the operating agreement, member
agreements, or resolutions), the articles of organization override such provisions.
Requirements vary by state, but most states require the following minimum information:
* The name of the LLC. The name you select must not be the same as or deceptively similar to
an existing business name in your state. Most states require that the limited liability company
name be followed by the words “Limited Liability Company” or by the abbreviation “LLC.”
* The mailing address of the proposed entity.
* The name and address of a registered agent in the state of filing.
* The name and address of the LLC’s organizer.
* The LLC’s stated period of duration or date of termination (indefinite/perpetual duration is
normally allowed.
* Some states may require that your articles of organization list the name and address of each
LLC member.
* The signature of the Organizer (person filing the Articles of Organization).
* Whether the LLC will be managed by one manager, more than one manager, or the members.
REGISTERED AGENT
Most states require that an LLC have a Registered Agent at a Registered Office within the state
of formation. This Registered Office may be at an address that is different from the LLC’s
business address, but may not normally be a post office box.
The main purpose of the Registered Office/Agent requirement is to provide a public record of a
person who will accept service of process on behalf of the LLC if claims are brought against it.
Because the Articles of Organization are a public record, potential claimants can usually contact
the Secretary of State’s office to obtain LLC’s registered agent information in order to serve your
LLC with a subpoena or summons. The agent may also be used to accept official documents,
such as tax notices.
OPERATING AGREEMENT
LLC members should enter into an Operating Agreement of some type (a detailed sample is
provided in this package). This Operating Agreement may be established either before or after
the filing of the Articles of Organization and may be either oral or in writing in many states.
Regardless of state requirements, it is preferred practice to have a written Operating Agreement.
If you don’t create a written Operating Agreement, the LLC laws of your state will govern your
LLC. The Operating Agreement is kept by the members (each should have an updated copy), and
is not filed with the government.
The LLC operating agreement may vary in complexity, but normally contains the following
information:
* Company name and address information
* Name and address information for each LLC member
* LLC management structure and operation
* Items/Funds contributed by each Member
* Fair market value of each item contributed
* Date/triggers of company dissolution, if any
* Accounting methods
* Tax treatment decisions for your LLC
* Appointment of LLC officers, if any
* Designation of a final capital pay-in date, if any
OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT
Most banks require only a copy of your Articles of Organization and your federal Employer ID
Number to open a bank account. Some, however, may also require a resolution authorizing the
opening of the account passed by the LLC’s members and a copy of the LLC Operating
Agreement. Because bank requirements vary by bank, you should contact the branch manager
and ask about their requirements for new LLC accounts.
MEMBER MEETINGS
Although a corporation’s owners’ failure to hold shareholder or director meetings may subject
the owners to liability, this is not the case for LLCs in many states. If the LLC’s Articles of
Organization or Operating Agreement do not expressly require such meetings, such liability will
normally not attach for failure to have member meetings. While many states do not require that
your limited liability company hold meetings on a regularly scheduled basis, it is advisable to
conduct member meetings to protect the integrity of the LLC’s operations and minimize
disagreements.
* * *
Forms List
The following forms are available for download with this package.
AZ-00LLCT: Articles of Organization (including Submission Coversheet and
Publication Notice)
AZ-LLC-TL: Sample Transmittal Letter
AZ-00LLC-1: Sample Operating Agreement (Multi-Member LLC)
AZ-00LLC-2: Sample Operating Arrangement (Single-Member LLC)
US-IRS-SS-4 : Application for Federal Tax Identification Number & Instructions
AZ-2222LLC: Sample LLC Notices & Resolutions
Instructions on using the forms are either included with the forms and/or found in the Steps to
form LLC section, below.
* * *
Notes on Downloading the Forms
In order that we can provide you with the most up to date forms at all times, all forms are located
on our servers for you to down load, complete and print. Downloading instructions are provided
and we will assist if you have any problems.
From the the download page, the easiest procedure to download the forms is to right click on the
form links and select “save target as” to save each form to your hard drive.
You will have six days during which you can return to the forms download page to download the
forms again if needed. You are advised to save the forms to your computer as soon as possible to
avoid any problem with the six day limit.
* * *
Notes on Completing the Forms
The forms in this package may be available in Adobe Acrobat (“.pdf”) and/or Microsoft Word
(“.doc”) format.
If available in .pdf format, the forms will contain “fillable” blanks which you can type directly
into, and print. However, you can still print the form and fill in with a typewriter or by hand if
you desire.
If available in .doc format, the forms may contain “form fields” created using Microsoft Word.
“Form fields” facilitate completion of the forms using your computer. They do not limit you
ability to print the form “in blank” and complete with a typewriter or by hand. To complete the
forms click on the gray shaded areas and type the information. For the separation agreement
complete the gray shaded areas and also make any other changes or additions to resolve all
issues.
If you do not see the gray shaded form fields, go the View menu, click on Toolbars, and then
select Forms. This will open the forms toolbar. Look for the button on the forms toolbar that
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visible. If there are no form fields, just type into the document, underlining if necessary, to
complete the form.
Some forms may be “locked” which means that the content of the forms cannot be changed
unless the form is unlocked. You can only fill in the information in the fields. If you need to
make any changes in the body of the form, it is necessary for you “unlock” or “unprotect” the
form. IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CONTENT, DO SO BEFORE YOU
BEGIN TO FILL IN THE FIELDS. IF YOU UNLOCK THE DOCUMENT AFTER YOU
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so, the password is “uslf”. That is uslf in lower case letters without the quotation marks. After
you make the changes relock the document before you begin to complete the fields. After any
required changes relock the form, then click on the first form field and enter the required
information. You will be able to navigate through the document from form field to form field
using your tab key. Tab to a form field and insert your data.
If you experience problems, please let us know.
* * *
Steps to form LLC
Step 1: See FORM: AZ-00LLCT
RESERVATION OF NAME
It is recommended that you reserve a LLC name in order to assure that your
Articles of Organization are not rejected because the name you have selected is
not available.
A LLC name must contain an ending which may be “limited liability company,”
“limited company,” or the abbreviations “L.L.C.”, “L.C.”, “LLC” or “LC”.
Use the website indicated in the checklist on page 1 of the AZ-00LLCT form
to check for name availability and reserve a name. The website will walk you
through the process.
Step 2: See FORM: AZ-00LLCT
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION, NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION, and
SUBMISSION COVERSHEET
Once you have reserved the limited liability company name, or if you have chosen
to proceed without reserving a name, you are ready to complete the Articles of
Organization and Submission Coversheet.
Download FORM 2 below, which contains all three of these items. Follow the
instructions on the forms.
You must file a SUBMISSION COVER SHEET with EACH document filed
with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Expedited service is available for an
additional fee.
Instructions to complete the Submission Cover Sheet when filing Articles of
Incorporation:
1. State the proposed/reserved name for the LLC.
A. Check/complete sections:
1. New entity.
2. Domestic.
3. LLC.
4. Payment: indicate check or cash and state the amount enclosed/paid.
5. Processing: Expedited or Regular.
Note: extra fee for Expedited Service.
B. Filing Type: Check Articles of Organization.
C. Special Instructions: Use as/if needed.
D. Extras: Use as/if needed.
E. RETURN DELIVERY: Indicate type of return delivery and, if pick up, who
is authorized to make the pick up.
Provide Name and Address for mail return delivery.
Step 4: Mail the original and one copy of the ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION and
the SUBMISSION COVER SHEET to:
Arizona Corporation Commission
Corporate Filings Section
1300 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
A cover letter to send with the Articles of Organization is included in this packet.
See FORM: AZ-LLC-TL
SAMPLE TRANSMITTAL LETTER
Step 5: After filing the Articles of Organization, the NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
(included in FORM AZ-00LLCT) must be published within sixty (60) days. This
publication MUST be in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of the
known place of business in Arizona for the LLC. The notice must be published in
three (3) consecutive publications. Within ninety (90) days after filing, an
Affidavit evidencing the publication must be filed with the Commission. DO
NOT PUBLISH UNTIL YOUR INITIAL DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN
APPROVED.
Step 6: Complete an Operating Agreement.
See FORM: AZ-00LLC-1
SAMPLE OPERATING AGREEMENT (MULTI-MEMBER LLC)
For a single-member LLC,
See FORM: AZ-00LLC-2
SAMPLE OPERATING ARRANGEMENT (SINGLE-MEMBER LLC)
Step 7: Apply for a Federal Tax Identification Number. This is done with form US-IRS-
SS-4. Mail to your regional IRS office.
See Supplemental Form: US-IRS-SS-4
FEDERAL TAX ID APPLICATION AND INSTRUCIONS
Step 8: Open a bank account and conduct business.
Ongoing: Sample Notices and Resolutions are provided for your convenience.
See FORM: AZ-2222LLC
Sample LLC Notices & Resolutions
* * *
Accessories
U. S. Legal Forms, Inc. offers the following LLC accessories:
LLC Seal:
If you would like to order a LLC seal call U.S. Legal Forms, Inc. at (601)
825-0382. Engraved with your company name: $24.95 plus shipping, or see
http://www.uslegalbookstore.com/officeproducts/
Imprinted (or blank) Lithographed LLC Membership Certificates:
Preview
Order for your state
* * *
SAMPLE OWNERSHIP LEDGER
and
SIMPLE MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE
Ownership Ledger
Name and Residence
Address of LLC
Member Date of
Transfer %
Ownership Amount Paid Subsequen
t Transfer
Membership Certifcate
No. _____ LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY- STATE OF ARIZONA
Percentage: ___
This Certifcate certifes that ____________________________, is a true
and lawful owner of ____ percent ownership of
______________________________, an Arizona Limited Liability Company.
Such ownership interest is only transferable in accordance with the
Operating Agreement between the Members.
This certifcate is issued by the Company by its duly
authorized ofcers on this the ____ day of _________,
20___.
__________________ ___________________
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* * *
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