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Last Updated: Apr 2024

Best LLC Formation Services in Texas for 2024
Open your LLC in a matter of minutes

Opening your LLC in Texas is easier than you think. Compare the top LLC formation services below, and let experts handle the paperwork for you.

Our Top 3 Providers
We Recommend
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
exceptional
9.9
Over 1/2 million businesses launched
Visit Site
LegalZoom
LegalZoom
excellent
9.2
3.5M+ satisfied customers
Visit Site
Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands
excellent
9.0
Form an LLC in 5 minutes
Visit Site
Did you know?
Filing an LLC online can save you thousands in legal fees
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We find the 10 best options, so you can make informed decisions on tons of products and services.

What Are Legal Services?

You can think of them as an alternative to a traditional law firm. An online legal service site like ZenBusiness connects you to independent legal experts who can help you form an s-corporation or c-corporation and offer bespoke legal services on an as-needed basis. If you don’t want to hire a personal attorney, a legal services site will find you a qualified expert to help you apply for licenses, create contracts, or submit documents without the commitment or fees associated with a traditional law firm. Legal services typically cater to small and medium business owners, though some offer services for personal legal matters as well.

How Does It Work?

The process is simple, which of course is the point. After submitting a form explaining the service you need, you’ll be assigned a professional who will discuss the particulars involved in that specific task. A lawyer can research, complete, and submit documents for you, or simply provide you with template forms and guidance to do it yourself. The process varies depending on the task needed, but the goal is to reduce the legwork on your end, whether by transferring it to an expert or providing as-you-go guidance to expedite the process.

Because the state of Texas does not have state income tax, LLCs have to file a state franchise tax, but most won’t have to pay. LLCs are exempt from paying this tax as long as their annualized total revenue falls below a yearly “no tax due threshold.” The no tax due threshold for 2020 and 2021 is $1,180,000.

The process for forming an LLC in Texas requires entrepreneurs to reserve a name, appoint an agent, and fill out a certificate of formation through the Secretary of State. Texas law demands that some form of “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited Company,” “LLC” or similar acronyms be included in the name. You can reserve a name for up to 120 days by filing out form 501 and paying a fee of $40. Note that all LLCs must also appoint a registered agent, i.e. someone with a Texas address who will be in charge of accepting legal documents on behalf of the LLC.

What Is an S Corp, C Corp and LLC?

One of the first choices a business owner faces is deciding which kind of business entity to open—a C corporation, S corporation, or LLC. Here’s what you need to know about each entity.

LLC

Limited Liability Company is an attractive concept for business owners, providing some personal financial protections from business downturns as well as flexibility in taxation and management. It can be taxed as a sole-proprietorship or multi-proprietorship, but either way, business owners avoid corporate tax and keep their personal bank accounts separate. Owners of LLCs are generally considered self-employed and subject to self-employment taxes. However, they may not issue stocks, and their businesses are not recognized outside of the United States. They are not subject to double tax either, so CEO’s will only pay personal taxes, which also, incidentally saves them a lot of time filling out paperwork.

ZenBusiness ZenBusiness Visit ZenBusiness

C Corporation

A corporation is a company that is its own legal entity in the eyes of the government and is owned by shareholders. The stocks will belong either to the founders of the company or individual investors (or both). Like an LLC, it’s an official business that is separate from personal liability and personal assets. Because it’s taxed as an entity, shareholders will be “doubly taxed,” once on personal income and once on business income. This structure allows businesses to earn money or build partnerships abroad using investor funds to get the business off the ground. Nevertheless, a corporation must select a Board of Directors, and there is significantly more bookkeeping and reporting requirements than with an LLC.

Bizee Bizee Visit Bizee

S Corporation 

A small business corporation is not actually a business type—it’s an IRS tax classification. Your business will be registered as either an LLC or C corp, but then it can qualify for S Corp status. Your business can become an S Corp business as long as it’s based in the U.S., has fewer than 100 members, and—if it’s a corporation—has only one class of shares. In an S corp, the corporation doesn’t pay tax on its profits, so they are only taxed as individual shareholders. This saves owners from the double taxation that C corps usually face. S corps are also subject to slightly less frequent reporting, which is a benefit over a traditional C corp tax classification. An S corp is subject to some additional scrutiny by the IRS, and it isn’t great for companies looking for venture capital funds.

What Services Do They Provide?

The majority of legal service sites, including Bizee and IncAuthority, are directed at the needs of small or emerging C corporations and S corporations. Services range from opening your business to drawing up contracts, researching bylaws, registering trademarks, and applying for permits.

That said, there are online legal services that help with personal matters as well and pair you with legal experts who specialize in mortgage agreements, matters of immigration, power of attorney, and living wills.

How to Choose the Right Legal Services Site for Your C Corporation or S Corporation

The first step is to decide how much involvement you’d like to take on. Some sites, like Rocket Lawyer for example, offer legal forms and templates for you to fill out yourself, along with step-by-step instructions, guidance, and real-time edits to help you along. Other services offer to take care of the documentation themselves. For more extensive projects and those that require field research, such as patent and copyright filing, it’s best to find providers that understand the field and specialize in the intricacies of the matter at hand. If you’re launching a new business, you’ll want to find an expert who understands taxation, licensing, and state and local laws pertaining to C and S corporations.

Most importantly, though, you need to find a trustworthy company. Regardless of what you’re using the service for, chances are you’ll be sharing sensitive information and dealing with important matters. It’s important to pay attention to the company’s reviews and reputation. Make sure the website is professionally designed and includes working contact information. See how active they are on Facebook. These are all important factors in choosing the right legal service provider.

How Will a Legal Services Site Help My C Corporation or S Corporation?

First and foremost, legal services will help you—the business owner—which will in turn help your business develop or begin on the right foot. By taking on difficult legal procedures, such as forming a corporation, parsing out licenses and permits, and researching bylaws, a legal service site can eliminate hiccups that could easily stall the process, distract you from your business plan, and lead to fines and other red-tape violations. They can save you the expenses of a personal attorney while at the same time leaving you free to shift your attention to the specifics of your vision and the implementation of your business plan.

Our Top 3 Picks

    1
    ZenBusiness
    Completely personalized serviceVisit Site
    • Price plus state fees - Starts at $0 + state fees
    • Refund policy - 60-day money back guarantee (minus expenses)
    • Signup process - Simply select a plan, your state, and your entity type
    Completely personalized service
    Visit Site

    ZenBusiness makes starting a business simple and straightforward - by providing superior products, services, and support every step of the way. This service uses technology and automated processes to provide entrepreneurs with a fast, low-cost way to form and manage businesses. Over 50,000 new companies have already trusted ZenBusiness for formation in 2020.

    Its all-in-one platform keeps legal documents, such as EINs and Operating Agreement templates, easily accessible and all in one place. As an added benefit, all ZenBusiness plans include their Registered Agent Service, which satisfies all legal requirements set by your state.

    All of this, along with their 100% Accuracy Guarantee, is why ZenBusiness is a standout choice for business formation. We trust they'll help you get your business up and running in no time.

    Read ZenBusiness Review

    PROS

    Live chat support
    100% accuracy guarantee
    Rush & expedited filing options
    Upfront pricing with no hidden fees

    CONS

    No cancellation once submitted to state
    Lack of nonprofit filing options
    zenbusiness logo
    ZenBusiness
    Visit Site
    2
    LegalZoom
    Inexpensive legal document creation Visit Site
    • Price plus state fees - Starts at $0 + state filing fees
    • Refund policy - Within 60 days of purchase
    • Signup process - Online form
    Inexpensive legal document creation

    For small- to large-size businesses, LegalZoom helps with anyone looking to form an LLC.  From tax filings, federal tax ID registration, and business licensing, to legal advice and assistance provided by unaffiliated independent lawyers, LegalZoom offers a comprehensive range of services at very reasonable prices.

    Read LegalZoom Review

    PROS

    Flat fees
    Simple forms
    Large selection of services

    CONS

    Not for international coverage
    legalzoom logo
    LegalZoom
    3
    Tailor Brands
    Form an LLC, get a registered agent, and moreVisit Site
    • Price plus state fees - From $0
    • Refund policy - None
    • Signup process - Easy
    Form an LLC, get a registered agent, and more

    Tailor Brands makes it easy to set up an LLC for your business in any state. The company offers a simple online application and charges start from $0 for a standard LLC filing. Processing typically takes 4 weeks, but you can opt for expedited processing that takes as little as 6-8 business days. Tailor Brands can also help you get an employer identification number (EIN) and write an operating agreement for your LLC.

    Tailor Brands also offers ongoing support for your business. The company can provide a registered agent in any state as well as file annual compliance paperwork on behalf of your business. In addition, Tailor Brands offers services for branding your business, including logo and website builders, SEO support, and more.

    Read Tailor Brands Review

    PROS

    Costs as little as $49 to register an LLC
    Expedited processing available
    Support by email and live chat

    CONS

    Operating agreement costs extra
    Standard processing time is 4 weeks
    tailor-brands logo
    Tailor Brands

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ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
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LegalZoom
LegalZoom
LegalZoom
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Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands
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