Incorporating your business with a reputable LLC service provider is a necessity. Inc Authority is one of the most reliable business registration services available. In addition to that, it has some exciting features that make it stand out.
In this Inc Authority review, we'll take an in-depth look at what it offers - its features, pros and cons, pricing, and other topics around it.
- Free business formation package: Inc Authority business formation package is free. You only pay the state's formation filing fee.
- Managing a business: Inc Authority extends its services to handling compliance issues.
Inc Authority overview
Inc Authority was established in 1989. In essence, it's one of the oldest LLC formation service providers and has formed over 130,000 business entities.
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One of Inc Authority's strength lies in its free limited liability company (LLC) formation. Iit appeals to many people across the fifty states in the US.
Inc Authority has thousands of reviews online, and the majority are positive. The company is also professional at delivering services outside LLC formation services. Some of the other services the Inc Authority offers include business credit assessment, EIN application, registered agent services, etc.
Key features
Registered Agent services
Inc Authority offers its clients free registered agent services. While most of its competitors charge for the service, it charges nothing for the first year.
The company will provide its clients with a unique business address to exchange correspondences with the federal and state compliance bodies. Inc Authority scans all the compliance documents received on behalf of its clients.
It also uploads its resultant digital copy to its system - this enables customers to view all the documents and respond in due time.
Business formation
The core service that Inc Authority offers its clients is business formation. It’s not limited to LLC formation; it also carries out corporation filing for them.
It doesn't matter which organization structure a client chooses; Inc Authority can handle the subsequent paperwork for you.
Inc Authority's business formation service is entirely free. The only thing the company charges its client is the state formation filing fee.
Some of the services the company doesn't charge its clients for are listed below.
- Preparation and filing of formation documents
- Business name verification
- Registered agent service for a year
- Checking and merchant services, etc.
Business funding analysis
It can be difficult to understand what kind of funding options are available to you based on your type of business, business size, etc.
Inc Authority pairs you with a financing expert who will analyze your business and recommend different funding options based on your unique situation.
The good thing is that Inc Authority has close links with various financing providers.Its close connections enables the company to prequalify its client’s for the particular loan amount they might need.
Record book
Inc Authority provides its clients with a custom seal, a binder to keep all documents, and a personalized case engraved with the customer's company name.
Inc Authority further assists with the organization of all the clients' documents in the record book. Organizing documents will give the customers absolute peace of mind and allow them to concentrate on business-related matters.
Pricing
Inc Authority offers its clients four packages: free package, starter, executive, and tycoon packages. Each one is divided by the number of and level of service provided to the client.
Its free package includes all of the following services:
- Business funding analysis
- Digital storage and delivery
- Document preparation and filing
- Tax planning consultation
- Business name search
- A year of free registered agent services
- Preparation and filing of S-Election document form 2553 with the IRS - this service is optional.
- INC CARE support
Starter package
This package includes all the features from the Inc Authority free business formation plans. It also includes an LLC operating agreement, ownership certificates, federal tax ID number (EIN), record book and company seal, and one year Inc protection advisor. It charges $399 annually plus the state fee.
Executive package
This plan includes all the features in the starter package plus the website domain and business license report. The business license report grants customers access to Inc Authority's business licensing software.
The company's business licensing software will help customers' figure out the permits and licensing that their business needs based on business type and location. It charges $499 plus the state fee for the package.
Tycoon
The clients' will receive everything from the executive package plus Bizcredit express and express processing. It charges $799 plus the state fee for this package. Bizcredit is a connected series of software tools that assists the customers to develop their business credit. Its resources are listed below.
- Muti-Tiered Credit Building System: this is to help its customers strengthen their credit scores.
- Business Credit Coach: this is a 90-day interpersonal business credit coaching period.
- Business Credit LaunchPad: this is a step-by-step guide on every single step of the business credit development procedure.
- Dun and Bradstreet Credit Bureau registration.
Add-on services
Inc Authority knows what it takes to create an LLC; as such, it often includes add-on services that meet its customers needs. Highlighted below are some of the additional services offered at Inc Authority.
Protection Advisors
Businesses invariably face legal issues at one time or another. This service is designed to help when problems arise. This service comes with unlimited phone support, and it connects the clients with compliance and business management professionals. The company charges $27 per month for this add-on service.
Express processing
Inc Authority offers its clients express processing which expedites the business registration process. It charges $49 for this add-on service. The company will promptly handle the filing and forward them to the client's state's secretary department on the same day the order is placed.
EIN application
Startup businesses will need an EIN to open a business bank account; it's also required to recruit employees - obtaining an EIN is necessary for every state.
Dealing directly with the IRS to get the EIN could be demanding; however, Inc Authority has it as an additional service to ease the stress. The company charges a one-off fee of $49 for this add-on service.
Operating agreement
An LLC operating agreement is a compliance requirement in some states. Inc Authority can help its clients customize an operating agreement according to its business structure.
It'll outline the company's framework and corresponding profit share that every stakeholder is entitled to. The company charges $89 for this service.
Ease of use.
All the company services are made more accessible by an online portal. The dashboard gives its clients direct access to its business formation tools.
The company has a simple interface and many options which are accessible for beginners - they can easily navigate the system either on the phone or the PC. The three-stage application process should take its clients 10 minutes or less to complete.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Its pricing schedule is very transparent.
- The platform is easy to use.
- Phone, email, and live chat customer support are available for all customers, including those on a free package.
- It offers its client consultation for tax planning
- A registered agent
- Offers its clients business name check
- Simple sign-up process
- Registration for a primary company is free.
- Customizable plans
Cons
- No refunds
- The company doesn't have a well-detailed learning center for its clients yet.
Customer support
Inc Authority provides its clients with customer support through phone, emails, or live chat channels. Its customer agents can be reached on Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 5 pm.
The company's customer support team is responsive, and they provide accurate answers to the clients' inquiries. Inc Authority takes its customer support seriously - and offers a wide range of expert services, including protection advisors, tax consultants, business credit coaches, etc.
Alternatives to the service
There are several online incorporation services. However, not all of these incorporation services will be suitable for your business. Highlighted below are some of the most reputable LLC service providers that could serve as an excellent alternative to Inc Authority.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom was founded in 2001, and over the years, it has grown to be one of the most renowned online LLC formation services. The company offers its clients a 60-day money-back guarantee. Also, it has an established brand and provides long support hours to its customers.
The LegalZoom team has the in-depth legal knowledge, will be able to get your company formed quickly, and offers numerous auxiliary services. You can read the full review here.
MyCorporation
MyCorporation was founded in 1995, and over the years, it has gained more than enough experience to perfect its business model. MyCorporation has supported over a million businesses. It has helped start and maintain them without any glitches.
It has excellent customer support - it provides each of its clients with a representative from the company to guide them through the business formation process. MyCorporation has a learning center that enables its clients to be equipped with beneficial start-up tips for small businesses.
You can read the full review here.
CorpNet
CorpNet is an LLC formation service with a good reputation. It was established in 2001 and has formed over a 100,000 businesses over the years.
The company offers its clients expert business filings, personalized customer service, a free corporate compliant tool, and a secure self-service portal. CorpNet's LLC forms are stored securely, and its services are best suited for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Inc Authority offers an excellent solution to startup businesses. It provides a free-of-charge business formation service for its clients, excluding the filing fees. The package combines its business formation services with some business funding analysis, tax consultation, etc.
The good thing is, its clients can combine its free offer with a high-value add-on service without upgrading their package. The only downside regarding combining its free package with add-on services is that its add-on services are not cheap.
Another commendable aspect of Inc authority is its customer service - it went all out to provide a variety of expert services for its clients. The only downside to the company's customer support is its limited hours. It doesn't offer weekend customer service.
You should consider incorporating your business with Inc Authority if you're a small business owner because of its complete and free business formation services.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Inc Authority offer its clients any discount?
There are no known discounts, promo codes, coupons, or sales at Inc Authority. However, its free LLC formation service is enough to suffice.
Does Inc Authority have a refund policy?
In no circumstances does Inc Authority grant its clients' a refund. In its words, "all sales are final due to the hard cost incurred with the filing of entities with your selected states."
Does Inc Authority have upsells?
Yes, Inc Authority has some upsells. The good thing is, the upsells it offers its clients are at the end of the LLC formation order form.
Customers don't have to opt-out of upsells during their registration/order process. Also, most of its clients aren't bothered about it as its business formation service is free.