How to Form an LLC in Indiana (2026): Real Costs, Real Steps

Indiana charges $95 to file Articles of Organization, with no publication requirement and a straightforward biennial reporting system. You'll need a registered agent with an Indiana street address (Northwest Registered Agent runs $125/year), and your first Biennial Report is due in April of your second anniversary year. Indiana's LLC filing is same-day online at INBiz.in.gov. No state-level business personal property tax on intangible assets like equipment for most LLCs. Mercury offers business banking that pairs well with Indiana's pro-business, low-cost approach. Total first-year outlay: approximately $220 if you file online yourself.

Year-1 Cost Table

Indiana LLC year-1 cost breakdown (2026)
Item Cost Source
Articles of Organization (online filing) $95 cite
Biennial Report (due every 2 years) $50 cite
Registered Agent (Northwest, annual) $125 cite
24-hour expedite (optional) $100 cite
Year-1 total (standard online filing) $220 cite

The 6 Steps

  1. Step 1: File Articles of Organization

    Submit the formation document to the Indiana Secretary of State. See the cost table above for the current filing fee.

  2. Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent

    Every Indiana LLC needs a registered agent with a Indiana street address. You can serve yourself, but most founders use a commercial RA — Northwest is our default pick.

  3. Step 3: Get an EIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)

    Apply with the IRS using your stamped Articles of Organization. Free, takes 5 minutes online.

  4. Step 4: Adopt an Operating Agreement

    Required by best practice — banks routinely request it before opening business accounts.

  5. Step 5: Open a Business Bank Account

    Mercury for software/online businesses; a local credit union for cash-heavy retail. Keep personal and business finances separate from day one.

  6. Step 6: File State Tax Registrations

    Register for Indiana state taxes (sales tax permit, payroll registration if you have employees, etc.) before you transact.

Recommended Tools

Northwest vs ZenBusiness for Indiana LLCs

Verdict (as of 2026): Northwest Registered Agent is our default pick for Indiana LLCs. They publish a Indiana-specific registered-agent page (linked in the cost table) and do not upsell add-ons at checkout. ZenBusiness wins only if you want bundled formation in a single flow.

Criterion Northwest ZenBusiness
Registered-agent only price (Indiana)$125/yr$199/yr
Bundled formationOptional add-onIncluded in formation plans
Privacy (address shielding)StrongStrong
Upsells at checkoutNoneSeveral
Annual-report filing service$100/yr add-on$199/yr add-on

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Indiana have a state income tax on LLCs?

Yes. Indiana has a flat corporate income tax rate, but most single-member and multi-member LLCs are pass-through entities, so you report income on your personal return subject to Indiana's flat 3.05% individual income tax rate (as of 2026). Verify current rates at in.gov/dor.

What makes Indiana's biennial reporting unique?

Indiana requires LLC reports every two years instead of annually, reducing compliance frequency and saving you one filing fee per two-year cycle. Your first Biennial Report is due in the anniversary month of your second year of existence.

Do I need to publish my LLC formation in a newspaper?

No. Indiana has no publication requirement for LLCs, unlike Arizona or New York, which saves you several hundred dollars in first-year costs.

Can I be my own registered agent in Indiana?

Yes, if you have a physical street address in Indiana and are available during business hours. Most owners use Northwest Registered Agent ($125/year) to maintain privacy and ensure service-of-process reliability.

Which bank should I use for my Indiana LLC?

Mercury offers business checking with no monthly fees, instant virtual cards, and API integrations. You can open an account online before your LLC paperwork arrives, then update your EIN and formation documents once the state approves your filing.

Annual Filing Deadline

Indiana requires a Biennial Report (every 2 years, not annual) due by the end of the month of your LLC's second anniversary, with a $50 filing fee—this saves you from yearly compliance filings.

Authoritative Sources

Other States

Skip the research — let AthenAI form your Indiana LLC