Indiana is one of the best places in the Midwest and the entire US for business owners to start or relocate their business to due to the state’s advantageous and supportive business environment, low operating costs, and low taxes.
As an entrepreneur, whether you are based in the U.S. or across the globe, establishing an Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Indiana is one of the easiest ways to engage in business activity legally in the United States.
This article provides all the steps you need to form an LLC in Indiana, compliance requirements, and valuable insights for people who are not residents of the U.S. but are keen on entering the American market.
Why is Indiana a good place to open an LLC?
When starting a business, Indiana has a friendly business environment, economic security, low taxes, and a well-managed regulatory system. There is a number of reasons to open a business in Indiana.
✅1. Business Optimism
Indiana has one of the best business working environments in the country.
- Indiana has one of the top 10 best doing business states in America.
- Manufacturers of goods and services rely on low personal and business taxes.
- In Indiana, the government is not taxing businesses and has been in a balanced state budget.
✅2. Business Expenses
For small businesses and new businesses in information technology, consulting, and logistics, Indiana has low prices for utilities, office, and labor costs.
✅3. Improvement in Business Tools
Because Indiana is in the Midwest, more than 80% of the country can be accessed in one day’s drive. A business also has top of the line access to rail, highways, and shipping ports.
✅ 4. Great for Global Business Owners
Indiana does not restrict LLC holders to being citizens or residents of the US, which simplifies the process for international business owners. International entrepreneurs can remotely register companies and even set up US bank accounts with Bizstartz’s assistance.
Guide to Establishing an LLC in Indiana
Here’s a simple roadmap for you to establish and operate an Indiana LLC.
Step 1: Naming the Indiana LLC
The very first step of the LLC formation process is choosing a unique, compliant, and legally acceptable name.
Your LLC name must:
- Be distinguishable from existing businesses on the Indiana Secretary of State’s database
- Contain the words “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
- Never contain the words “bank,” “university,” or “insurance” without special exemptions, or else, avoid restricted terms without special approval
🛠 Pro Tip: Check for availability using Indiana’s Business Name Availability Search tool.
📄 A name can be reserved for a fee of $20 for 120 days by filing Name Reservation Request Form online or via mail.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
In Indiana, every LLC is required to have a Registered Agent. This is a person or business that must have a street address in Indiana, and is designated to receive legal and business correspondence on your LLC’s behalf.
Your Registered Agent must:
- Be Indiana-based and have a physical street address (no P.O. boxes)
- Be reachable during business hours
- Accept government, tax, and legal mail
🛡️ Foreign founders can’t set up a physical presence in the U.S. and so are required to use a commercial Registered Agent Service.
✅ As part of all-in-one LLC packages for international clients, Bizstartz offers Registered Agent service in Indiana.
Step 3: Complete the Indiana Secretary of State’s Form Articles of Organization
Your LLC’s Articles of Organization will be the official formation document for your business. All Indiana LLCs must file the Articles of Organization (Form 49459) online or by mail.
- Online filing fee: $95
- Paper filing fee: $100
- Processing time: Immediate for online, 5-7 business days for mail
Your Articles of Organization must include:
- LLC name
- Principal office address
- Registered Agent’s name and address
- Duration of the LLC (perpetual or fixed-term)
- Management structure (member-managed or manager-managed)
Filing will be done through INBiz, Indiana’s official online business portal.
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement for the LLC
Although Indiana does not require an Operating Agreement, it is essential to effectively manage the business operations.
It should address:
- Functions and duties of each member/manager
- Capital contributions, profit sharing, and sharing of profits
- Voting rights along with priority for making decisions
- Processes for changes in membership or ownership
- Dissolution or transfer of ownership rules
📄 An Operating Agreement is essential in avoiding intrapreneurial conflicts, and disputes in the business, and it is requested by banks, and payment processors like PayPal, and Stripe.
🛠️ Bizstartz offers tailored Operating Agreements as part of the LLC formation bonus.
Step 5: Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
An EIN (Tax ID) is issued by the IRS and is required for most U.S. business activities including:
- Opening a U.S. business bank account
- Hiring employees
- Filing taxes
- Registering for payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
🌐 Founders not residing in the US can apply for an EIN without an SSN, but the process is different. Bizstartz takes care of EIN applications for clients outside the US and without SSN requirements.
📝 Applications can be submitted as follows:
- Online: US residents with an SSN.
- Fax or mail: Form SS-4 for non residents.
Step 6: Submit Your Biennial Business Entity Report
Every LLC in Indiana is mandated to submit a Business Entity Report every two years.
- Due Date: Every two years on the anniversary month of the LLC formation.
- Fee: $32 for online submissions, $50 for mailed submissions.
- Where to File: INBiz Portal
Failing to submit these reports may result in administrative dissolution of the LLC, meaning the state will cancel the company’s existence.
📌 Bizstartz clients receive timely reminders and comprehensive compliance support to avert penalties.
Step 7: Apply for Business Licenses and Taxes
These will be determined by your industry and your operations area.
- Sales Tax Permit: Essential for those trading in physical products or taxable services in Indiana.
- County/City Business Licenses: Several local governments maintain independent licensing frameworks.
- Professional Licenses: Mandatory for governed sectors such as legal, medical, and financial services.
🛠 Check for local and state licenses using INBiz. Bizstartz can help with this during the onboarding phase.
Extra Considerations for Foreign Nationals
For non-residents looking to set up an LLC in Indiana, consider these details:
✅ No need for a U.S. address or Social Security Number
✅ You can form an LLC and apply for an EIN remotely
✅ Bizstartz can assist with opening a U.S. bank account while overseas
✅ You must submit a BOI report under The Corporate Transparency Act.
How Bizstartz Makes It Easer For You To Start And Grow Your Indiana LLC
Bizstartz understands the difficulties people face when setting up a business in the U.S. from overseas. We provide everything in one convenient package:
🧾 Our $600 Package Includes:
- Company Formation in Indiana
- EIN (Tax ID) Application
- BOI Filing with FinCEN
- Registered Agent Service (1 year)
- U.S. Bank Account Application Support
- Operating Agreement Drafting
- Post-formation Compliance Guidance
🌍 No SSN or U.S. Residency Needed
💳 Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon Seller accounts approved post-formation.
Closing Thoughts
Indiana offers easy access to the U.S. market with minimal costs, paperwork, and low business LLC formation barrier. Indiana is a great state to form an LLC for those planning to start a dropshipping business, a SaaS platform, an e-commerce store, or a consulting agency.
Ready to launch your LLC in Indiana?
👉 Get Started with Bizstartz — We handle everything so you can focus on building your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a foreigner open an LLC in Indiana?
Absolutely! Indiana law permits both residents and non-residents (foreign nationals) to establish and operate an LLC.
2. What is the price for establishing an LLC in Indiana?
The Indiana state filing fee is $95 for online applications. Depending on your needs, the total may run up to $400–$700, considering added services like registered agents, EIN applications, and others.
3. Is an Indiana address necessary to register an LLC?
No. However, a registered agent with an Indiana address must be appointed. This is something we can assist with for our international clients.
4. What is the estimated time frame for LLC formation?
Immediate for online filing. Furthermore, EIN applications for non-resident holders usually take 1-2 weeks.
5. Is an Indiana Operating Agreement needed?
While it is not a requirement, it is highly encouraged, especially for foreign-owned, multi-member LLCs.
