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Written by: Natalie Fell
Published on September 8, 2022
Updated on January 27, 2023
If you’re starting a business, the business entity formation process is one of the first hurdles to cross. This step can be terribly complex and time-consuming, which is why many entrepreneurs turn to a professional formation service.
One of the top options is Incfile. But is it the best service? And is it the right choice for you? This review takes a closer look — putting ourselves in the shoes of an entrepreneur — to help you choose the formation service that will put your business on the road to success.
Pricing
Turnaround Time
Help and Support
Customer Satisfaction
Ease of Use
Overall Score: 4.2/5
Incfile handles the business formation process for you, making it nearly seamless while offering additional services that can make life easier for a new business owner. Whether you’re forming a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation, Incfile takes care of all the red tape so you don’t have to.
Incfile offers packages of services and a la carte options. We explored all of the options and have broken down the services and pricing here.
| Services | Silver Package | Gold Package | Platinum Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $149 | $299 |
| Prep and filing of Articles of Organization | √ | √ | √ |
| Unlimited Name Searches | √ | √ | √ |
| Free Registered Agent Service for One Year | √ | √ | √ |
| EIN Business Tax Number | √ | √ | |
| IRS Form 2553 | √ | √ | |
| Operating Agreement | √ | √ | |
| Banking Resolution | √ | √ | |
| Lifetime Company Alerts | √ | √ | |
| Online Access Dashboard | √ | √ | |
| Unlimited Phone & Email Support | √ | √ | |
| Business Banking Account | √ | √ | |
| Business Tax Consultation | √ | √ | |
| Business Contract Templates | √ | ||
| Expedited Filing | √ | ||
| Domain Name & Business Filing | √ |
Incfile charges customers a “one-time transparent payment” instead of an annual fee.
Note that state filing fees still apply with all these packages. Fees vary by state, which we have listed below.
The free Silver Package includes the preparation and filing of the articles of organization and unlimited name searches. It also includes free registered agent services for a year, making it a great value.
The Silver Package includes the preparation and filing of the articles of organization and unlimited name searches, with free registered agent services for a year. This plan is a great value and appropriate for entrepreneurs with a limited budget who just want to get their business up and running and plan to handle annual reporting and the operating agreement themselves. They can choose to add additional services at the time of purchase or later.
This plan may also be appropriate for established businesses forming a new business structure or changing their business structure.
The initial price of $0 is a major bargain compared to the similar plan offered by LegalZoom for $79. There’s also no annual fee to worry about, unlike other popular services. The renewal fee for the second year of the starter plan with ZenBusiness is $119, which is expensive considering that you’ll already have received the main service that you paid for.
The $149 Gold Package offers the added value of an operating agreement, business tax consultation, and lifetime company alerts. It has a few other benefits as well, so it’s an overall good value.
The Gold Package includes all the services included in the Silver Package, plus an operating agreement template and a business tax consultation. Lifetime company alerts mean that Incfile will remind you of any reporting due dates based on your state’s requirements.
Incfile’s Gold Package also includes an EIN tax number and the filing of IRS Form 2553, which allows LLCs to reap the tax benefits of an S corporation. You’ll also receive banking resolution services and assistance with setting up a business bank account. Lastly, you’ll get access to a personalized online dashboard and unlimited phone and email support.
This package is appropriate for businesses that want a little more help in terms of the operating agreement, which is a critical document, and the state’s annual compliance requirements such as annual reports and document addendums. The price offers good value considering the extra services, and there’s no annual fee required.
The $299 Platinum Package has the additional benefit of expedited filing as well as domain name and business filing. You’ll also receive access to business contract templates.
The Platinum Package includes everything in the Gold Package with the advantage of expedited filing, as well as domain name and business filing. You’ll also receive access to business contract templates, which can be extremely helpful for new business owners. There are over 25 different contracts, all created and reviewed by attorneys.
The main advantages of this plan are the expedited filing and the contract templates. You can easily reserve your own domain name for less by using a web hosting site such as GoDaddy.
This plan, however, would be beneficial for a business owner who seeks a one-stop-shop for their business services. Otherwise, it does not seem worth the added cost.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Get a Registered Agent | $119 (free when you form your LLC) |
| Submit an Annual Report | $99 |
| Foreign Qualification | $149 |
| Get a Certificate of Good Standing | $49 |
| Renew Registered Agent | $119 |
| Change of Registered Agent | $49 |
| Amendment | $119 |
| Company Name Change | $119 |
| Dissolution | $149 |
| Get an EIN/Tax Number | $70 |
| Business License Research Package | $99 |
| Choose a Name or DBA | $99 |
| File for an S Corporation | $50 |
*Some services have additional state fees. See the list below.
**Registered agent service price may vary depending on your state.
If you purchase products a la carte, you’ll need to be a bit careful as it can add up fast.
Your LLC must be formed with your state by filing articles of organization, sometimes called a certificate of organization or a certificate of formation. This can be done online or by mail. Incfile handles the filing for you online, and the LLC approval time varies by state.
This can be a time-consuming and difficult process for an entrepreneur and getting customer support from your state government is often a challenge. With Incfile, you have access to customer support Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm CST.
If you choose the Gold or Platinum package, once your LLC is approved and official, you can access your formation documents on the Incfile website at any time.
When you form your LLC, depending on the state where you want to register your business there will be a state fee that you have to pay. Below we have listed the fees for each state so you can calculate the overall expenses for opening your LLC.
Please note that the state fees are costs that you will pay in addition to the Incfile formation service costs, or any other formation service you choose.
Use our dropdown calculator and check how much your LLC formation service will cost you using Incfile. Simply choose a plan, a la carte services, and the state where you want to form an LLC to calculate the exact cost based on your needs and preferences.
In most states, when you form an LLC, you need a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or business that is authorized to accept legal, tax, and financial documents on behalf of your business.
For $119 per year, Incfile can act as your registered agent and handle official correspondence and documents for your business. They will ensure all correspondence is handled on time and keep copies of documents for you. They will keep track of deadlines for you and send you reminders of things you may have to file, such as tax forms and annual reports.
A registered agent service will help keep you in compliance with the law and save you time by keeping track of key documents and filing deadlines. This also frees you up to focus on growing your business. Incfile will also offer support if any issues arise.
Incfile’s registered agent services will enable you to have flexible hours. If you’re your own registered agent, you must be available from 8 AM to 5 PM at your registered agent address. If you use an agency like Incfile, they are available during those hours so that you can focus on growing your business.
If you use a national agency like Incfile, you can form an LLC or corporation in another state or multiple states where you do not have residency. Using Incfile also offers you a level of privacy, as you would never be served with a summons at your business in front of customers or employees.
Incfile offers an operating agreement template customized for your state. An operating agreement for an LLC is an important legal document that details who owns the business and also provides essential information pertaining to member duties.
An LLC operating agreement establishes the financial relationship between business owners (“members”) and the basics of the working relationships between those owners and the managers who oversee daily operations.
By using the Incfile’s services, you save yourself the hassle of having an attorney draw up the agreement for you from scratch. It’s included in both the Gold and Platinum plans and it’s a good value compared to the attorney fees you would otherwise pay. Only a handful of states require an operating agreement, but having one is highly recommended.
Incfile includes access to business contracts templates in their Platinum Package. However, if you have either the Silver or Gold package, you can gain access to the library for $150.
Incfile’s business contract templates include:
These document templates can be very valuable for a business and can save a great deal in attorney fees. Other sites offer document templates, but the Incfile documents library is extensive and a good value.
We tested the Incfile customer service experience from every angle. Here’s what we found.
When you first go to the Incfile site, clicking on the “Start My Business” button will open up a new window. You’ll then see a couple of dropdown menus: one for your business type (choose LLC) and one for the state in which you are filing. Once you choose your state, you’ll see specific pricing.
Each of the three available plans will appear, along with an outline of what’s included in each. The price displayed will include both the package fee and the fees for your particular state. Once you’ve made your decision, click the “Get the Silver/Gold/Platinum Package”. You will then be prompted to enter your contact information and mailing address.
Next, you’ll be asked to choose standard or expedited filing. Incfile also includes the typical processing time in your chosen state so you can make a more informed decision.
Next, you’ll enter your company information, including information on your members or owners, business purpose, industry, and address. After entering these details, you’ll be offered a chance to upgrade to a higher level package before continuing.
The next series of screens prompt you to enter the information that will ultimately appear on your articles of organization document. Then you’ll be asked if you’d like to use Incfile as your registered agent or act as your own (if allowed in that state). If you choose the Silver Package, the service is free for a year and $119 annually afterwards. The service is included in the price of both the Gold and Platinum packages.
From this point onward, depending on which package you choose, you’ll be prompted to provide all the applicable information for each included service. If you choose Silver or Gold, you’ll have opportunities to add various a la carte services.
Once you’re finished making your choices, you’ll have a chance to review your information before you submit payment.
The formation process was quick and easy, making for a nearly seamless user experience. Opportunities to upgrade were more informative than intrusive, and it was made very clear what you were getting with each package.
One downside is that there’s no way to save your progress if you have to leave the page and come back later. However, if you click the back button and move back to the homepage, you will be prompted to either start over or resume.
With all Incfile plans, you get free next-day business processing. This means your LLC formation documents will be sent to the state within 24 hours.
Once Incfile submits your information, you will need to wait for the state to officially file, which can take up to three weeks in some cases. Incfile provides a valuable comparison tool to help you estimate your turnaround time.
Overall, the site is easy to use if you’re ready to go and just want to complete the process. Otherwise, information can be difficult to find to form an LLC on your own.
Incfile is great for entrepreneurs on a budget, as their Silver Package covers the basics and includes a free year of their registered agent service. Competitors like LegalZoom and ZenBusiness have a more robust suite of services, but are also more expensive.
With Incfile, your order is refundable until payment is forwarded to the state. A $30 cancellation fee applies as well as any expenses that have been paid or incurred with other entities, like state agencies or third party vendors.
Unfortunately, after payment has been forwarded to the state, Incfile cannot accept any cancellations or changes to state filings. To cancel your order, simply send an email to [email protected]. You cannot make any cancellations via telephone.
We tested all three forms of Incfile customer support.
When we tested the customer service response time through the online chat option, we received a response within two minutes. We asked a question about cancellation policy and how to cancel an order if we change our mind about the filing. The agent was very helpful and explained the process clearly.
Chat Support Rating:
Response time:
Very quick
We called Incfile to ask a question about registered agent services. Our call was answered almost immediately, and the question was answered promptly.
The question was whether registered agent services are included in any of the plans. The answer was that they are included in Gold and Platinum and customers get a free year of registered agent services with the Silver Package.
The customer service representative was very professional and polite and made sure to ask if we had any additional questions before hanging up.
Phone Support Rating:
Response time:
Immediate
We asked the same question via email about registered agent services and received the same response in under 24 hours. Our question was answered thoroughly and politely. The person who responded did not try to make any sales pitches to us and asked how else they could be of service.
Email Support Rating:
Response time:
Very quick
We wanted to know how real Incfile customers feel about the service, so we thoroughly explored customer reviews at the Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot.
Incfile is not currently accredited with the BBB.
Incfile is not currently accredited with the BBB. They have 4.67/5 stars in customer reviews and have received 260 complaints in three years. A total of 30 complaints have been resolved over the last 12 months.
Many positive reviews at BBB revolve around exceptional customer service. Customers mentioned phone support being very helpful and cordial, as well as proactive in identifying potential problems. Customers also mentioned chat support being excellent at resolving issues.
One customer highlighted the responsiveness of the representative they were working with and that their issue was resolved quickly. Another had a difficult problem to solve and the representative that was handling the case “took care of the problem immediately”.
Most of the negative reviews were categorized as a “problem with product or service”. A common issue seemed to be a lack of communication between Incfile and customers, especially when it came to expectations regarding turnaround time and refunds.
But it’s worth noting that at the time of this review, the most recent complaint was several months old. You can read reviews on the BBB website.
Incfile has a high trust score rating on Trustpilot.
The Trustpilot score for Incfile is 4.7/5 stars.
Incfile reviews at TrustPilot break down as follows:
Positive reviews mostly involved how easy it was to file an LLC. Some commented on the user-friendliness of the website and appreciated the transparency in pricing and the added features. Some reviews mentioned customer service representatives by name and praised them for being highly responsive and helpful.
Reviews in the “bad” category included confusion over state filing fees, a lack of communication from representatives, and poor customer service over the phone. Other customers complained about long turnaround times and a lack of transparency in terms of how long things would take to process, especially when it came to state filings.
It does seem like a representative from Incfile is monitoring the negative reviews and the company makes an attempt to resolve issues. You can read reviews on the TrustPilot website.
Incfile’s services offer both benefits and drawbacks, as detailed below.
Incfile was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Since they started, Incfile.com has helped more than 800,000 entrepreneurs form their businesses. Dustin Ray is the CEO and Chief Growth Officer.
We explored similar services to Incfile to see how they stack up to the competition.
Incfile offers a better value than its competitors. Their free option is perfect for new entrepreneurs, while their paid plans are reasonably priced.
LegalZoom has three packages of services as well:
None of the LegalZoom plans come with an operating agreement service, which costs $99 extra. Annual compliance services are also not included in LegalZoom plans. Turnaround times with LegalZoom are longer.
ZenBusiness offers three service plans:
Each of the ZenBusiness plans are charged the above fees each year, whereas Incfile’s packages only cost a one-time fee. They also don’t offer free registered agent services, even in their most expensive package.
Swyft Filings is similar to Incfile in that they charge a one-time fee for business formation instead of annual fees. Their basic services cost $49, and other ongoing services can be added. The differentiating factor for Swyft Filings is their speed. Their signup process is quick, and they have faster turnaround times.
Overall, Incfile provides extremely valuable services for aspiring business owners. They can ensure that your new business gets off on the right foot. Their service is easy to use and offers a great customer experience, which we learned from testing their support services, reading countless customer reviews and navigating the entirety of their website.
Incfile can take the time and hassle out of starting your business and staying in compliance with state laws. Their pricing is very competitive, so you’ll get outstanding value for what you pay. We highly recommend Incfile.
We went through every detail of the Incfile site and examined their offerings closely. We looked at it from a user perspective, putting ourselves in the shoes of a customer.
We asked questions of customer service as a potential customer, went through the business formation signup process, and then actually formed an LLC. We got a complete overview of the value the company provides from a customer’s point of view.
A service like Incfile can make the business formation process easy and ensure that it’s done correctly. They provide customer support and additional services to support your business.
Incfile offers business formation services to handle the paperwork and cut through the red tape with your state, so you don’t have to. They also offer additional services, including registered agent services and annual compliance.
The Silver Package from Incfile includes the preparation and filing of the articles of organization and unlimited name searches. It also includes free registered agent services for a year, making it a great value.
The Gold Package includes all the services included in the Silver, but with the addition of an operating agreement template and a business tax consultation. Lifetime company alerts mean that Incfile will remind you of any reporting due dates based on your state’s requirements.
With the Platinum Package , you get everything in the Gold with the advantage of expedited filing, as well as domain name and business filing. You’ll also receive access to business contract templates, which can be extremely helpful for new business owners. There are over 25 different contracts, all created and reviewed by attorneys.
The Silver Package is free for a year, though state filing fees still apply.
The Incfile registered agent service is a professional service that will handle official correspondence and documents for your business. They will ensure that all correspondence is handled on time and keep copies of documents for you. They will keep track of deadlines for you and send reminders of things you may have to file, such as tax forms or annual reports.
Registered agent services from Incfile cost $119 annually. The service is included in the Gold and Platinum packages and you get a free year of registered agent services with the Silver Package.
With Incfile you can cancel your plan or services for a $30 fee. Email [email protected] or call customer support at 1 (888) 462-3453 Monday through Friday 9am – 6pm Central time.
Yes, overall Incfile offers great value and excellent support for business owners. Their pricing is very competitive, and they offer many supplementary services that can make life much easier for new business owners. Their most basic plan is free and perfect for entrepreneurs on a budget.
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