US Business Formation Guides — LLC, Corp, S-Corp, DBA

In-depth long-form guides on choosing an entity, forming an LLC or Corporation, EIN application, BOI reporting, foreign qualification, and dissolution.

Where the state-by-state matrix gives you fees and steps, these guides give you the why: how to choose between an LLC and an S-Corp election, when "best states for an LLC" actually matters versus when home-state filing is the right answer, what BOI reporting requires now that the rule has been reinstated, and how to dissolve a registered entity cleanly so you don't keep accruing state fees on a dormant shell.

Every guide is freshness-stamped and re-checked at least annually. Pair any guide with the relevant state hub for current 2026 numbers.

Last updated: June 9, 2026

LLC Formation Checklist: 12 Steps A 12-step checklist covering name search, registered agent, Articles, operating agreement, EIN, BOI, and annual report.
BOI Reporting 2026: Corporate Transparency Act Status The Corporate Transparency Act BOI reporting requirement — current enforcement status, who is exempt, and what to file if required.
Best States to Form an LLC in 2026 Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada, or your home state? Compared on fees, privacy, taxes, and the domicile-vs-home-state trade-off.
DBA vs LLC vs Trademark: Protecting Your Name A DBA registers a name in one state; an LLC owns it as a legal entity; a trademark protects it in commerce. When to use each.
How to Choose a Business Entity (2026 Guide) Framework for picking LLC vs Corporation vs S-Corp vs Sole Prop — by liability, taxes, ownership, compliance, and exit strategy.
Registered Agent: What It Is and What You Pay For What the registered agent does, legal requirements in every state, and when DIY vs professional service is the right call.
EIN Application: Step-by-Step (Free via IRS) Apply for your Employer Identification Number through IRS.gov in 15 minutes — no fee, no paid service required.
Foreign Qualification: When You Must Register in Another State Doing business in a state other than where you formed? When you need Foreign Qualification, what it costs, and the DIY steps.
How to Dissolve an LLC or Corporation (Every State) Winding up an entity properly — Articles of Dissolution, final tax returns, closing EIN, distributing assets.
Operating Agreement: What to Include (Plus Template) What goes in a single-member and multi-member LLC operating agreement — and why you need one even when the state does not require it.