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FatBits LLC · Friday January 1, 2010

FatBits LLC

Happy New Year! After 10 years working as an independent contractor I’ve taken the steps necessary to form a Limited Liability Company, FatBits LLC, for my business activities. The process was pretty straightforward. In New York, where my business is located, most of the steps can be accomplished online. Every state is slightly different. For instance, most states don’t have the costly publication requirement that New York has. I’ve outlined the basic steps for New York below:

Step 1: Review the information at the NYS Division of Corporations website.

Step 2: Search the Corporation & Business Entity Database for your business name to make sure it isn’t already in use.

Step 3: Submit an Articles of Organization form with payment by mail to: Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231, by fax to: 518-474-1418 or electronically at the NYS Online Permit Assistance and Licensing website. This costs about $200.

Step 4: Request an Employer ID number, or EIN, from the IRS website. Use this instead of your Social Security number going forward.

Step 5: Once you’ve received your Filing Receipt from the Department of State, contact your county clerk about fulfilling your publication requirement. If your principle office is in Manhattan the phone number is: 646-386-5955 ×65957. Say hi to Esther.

Step 6: Fulfill your publication requirement by contacting the newspapers given to you by your county clerk. The New York Law Journal will be one of them. They have an online form, or you can call them at: 866-305-3058. The other paper will be randomly assigned to you. Prepare to spend about $1,100.

Step 7: Once you’ve received an Affidavit of Publication from the newspapers file a Certificate of Publication form with the NYS Division of Corporations.

Step 8: Optionally file any related trademarks with the Unites States Patent and Trademark Office website.

You’re in business!

Please Note: The above steps don’t constitute professional legal advice. Please seek the help of a lawyer if you have any questions about the process outlined above.

» Matt