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Inc Authority
- Free LLC and EIN
- Free registered agent
- 5 star rating on TrustPilot
- Live expert support
- Pricing not listed on website
- State filing fees vary
Starting a new business or growing to the point where you no longer want to operate as a sole proprietor? The world of business creation is complex, but with services like Inc Authority, it doesn’t have to be.
The problem is, though, there are so many companies out there, it can be hard to know which one to use.
In this Inc Authority review, I’ll cover the company, services, pricing, formation times, and more to help you decide which company to use to start your business.
Without further ado, let’s look at what this company offers.
SMB Guide’s Verdict for Inc Authority
I give Inc Authority an 8 out of 10. They’re a great service, but they could do more to provide pricing information on their site – such as allowing you to look up your state to at least get an idea of what to expect.
They could also expand their service offerings to make it possible to form other types of business entities.
| Factor | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Pricing & Plans | 7 |
| Business Formation Services | 8 |
| Processing Time | 9 |
| Registered Agent Services and Costs | 9 |
| Name Availability Search | 9 |
| Online Document Access | 9 |
| Money-Back Guarantees | 8 |
| Customer Support | 8 |
| SMB Guide Rating | 8 |
In this review of Inc Authority, I’ve followed SMB Guide’s detailed criteria for evaluating the business formation service.
What is Inc Authority?
Inc Authority is a B2B application assistance and filing service specializing in helping professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs start and manage their businesses.
It is best known for its LLC formation service, which offers assistance with the foundational paperwork and other parts of business ownership.
Pricing & Plans
Inc Authority provides basic business formation services for free. All you have to do is pay your state filing fee, which you would have to do if you did everything yourself.
They offer optional additional services but can only be ordered by calling the company and speaking to a Business Startup Expert.
Starter Business Bundle
The starter business bundle offers additional services to help you manage your new business. Pricing information is not listed on the website, but I paid $280 for the Basic Business Bundle back in 2018.
It looks like they’ve, at the very least, changed plan names since then. It seems pricing isn’t publicly posted because the fees vary from state to state.
Features
- 1 year registered agent service
- Verify business name availability
- Custom state-filed articles of incorporation
- Complete operating agreement or bylaws
- Deluxe record book
- Ownership or stock certificates
- Initial meeting minutes and resolutions
- EIN/Tax ID number
- Corporate forms package
- Annual compliance notifications
- Professional tax consultation
- Web domain + 5 email addresses
Who it’s for: New business owners, small businesses
Fast Track Business Bundle
This plan includes additional services for businesses that want a bit more support.
Features
Everything in Starter Business Bundle, plus:
- INC Success Advisor package
- Private banking specialist
- Personalized business advice
- Expedited filing
Each service is available as an add-on to the Starter Business Bundle.
Who it’s for: Business owners who want a bit more support in managing their new venture.
At Inc Authority your future is at your fingertips, with the ease of online convenience, free entity setup and our dedicated business startup specialist on standby.
Business Formation Services
Inc Authority offers free LLC formation services only. You’ll need to find another service if you want to form another business entity. This service includes Articles of Organization and Operating Agreements.
You’ll answer a series of questions to help them get the information they need to create the documents.
Processing Time
Once you place the order with Inc Authority, it will be processed within 24 hours. The processing time varies from state to state since requirements vary.
You can pay for expedited service to get things faster. Your specialist will be able to set expectations about how long it will take to process.
I placed my order for South Carolina on December 21, 2018, and my business was legally formed on December 26, 2018. I do not remember if I paid for expedited service, and there’s no indication of that in my order history.
I believe I skipped it because of the holidays.
Registered Agent Services and Costs
You’ll automatically receive one year of registered agent service for free. After that, you’ll pay $200/year. You can cancel the service before the end of the first year to avoid charges.
Name Availability Search
Inc Authority will conduct a comprehensive name service to make sure the name is available in your state. They do this privately, so there’s no way to assess its effectiveness.
My business name was fairly unique, so I didn’t run into any issues – and I already knew the website domain was available before I submitted my order.
Online Document Access
Once you sign up with Inc Authority, you’ll have access to a personal client portal to access digital versions of all your business formation documents, including your EIN.
You can also use that portal to add another business to your account.
You can also access additional services in the client portal, such as web design services and tax consultations.
Money-Back Guarantees
You have 14 days from the date you place the order to request a refund. After that, your order becomes non-refundable. This does not apply to LLC formation, since those fees are paid directly to your state to form the company.
Customer Support
You can reach Inc Authority customer support for free by phone, live chat, or email. Phone and live chat services are only available from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
If you email outside those hours, you’ll receive a response as soon as possible within their operating hours.
Inc Authority — Additional Services
Inc Authority offers a variety of other services to support business owners, including:
- Federal trademark: Legally protect your brand name, logo, or slogan/tagline from unauthorized use with a federal trademark.
- Website and marketing services: Inc Authority will help you create and market your online presence, which is crucial for any business in today’s marketplace.
- Business plans: The Inc Authority team will craft a business plan to support your new venture. It will outline goals, strategies, financials, and more.
- Business credit: While Inc Authority doesn’t issue business credit directly, they offer credit coaching to help you establish and improve your business credit score.
- Business funding: Through partnerships with lenders, Inc Authority can help you secure financing and capital for your business.
- Revocable living trust: Not directly related to business, but Inc Authority also offers revocable living trust services to help you control your assets while you’re alive and dictate how they’re to be distributed upon your death.
What the Experts Say About Inc Authority
As of this writing in February 2024, Inc Authority has a 4.8/5 rating at Trustpilot, with over 26K reviews. 93% of the reviews are 5 stars.
I Been with Inc Authority a year now and had tons of questions. The whole staff is very knowledgeable but John Gasswint. Is my guy answered any questions I had, and broke it down and very basic terms for me. I really appreciate this company. Takes the thought process out of everything. Far as reminders and meeting deadlines for business it’s nice to have help.
Brendan F. – Verified Trustpilot review
I had a super great experience with INC team! They are professional, very responsive, quick & advise you on what’s best for your business on a case-by-case basis. Austin has been amazing & saved me from losing money to scammers!
Kirsty J. – Verified Trustpilot review
Inc Authority Alternatives
If you’re not convinced Inc Authority is the best choice for your needs, consider these alternatives:
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Primary Rating:
5.0
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4.5
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$149 - $349
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$199/yr - $349/yr
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$125 - $424
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LegalZoom
LegalZoom is a popular service, but it will handle more than business formation. LegalZoom does charge fees in addition to the state filing fees, ranging from $79 to $329.
They do have extended customer service hours compared to Inc Authority.
Get started with LegalZoom today!
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a trusted partner that gives entrepreneurs the power and support to scale their business. We use technology and automation to provide fast and low-cost services, expert support, and a personalized dashboard that puts everything entrepreneurs need at their fingertips.
Bizee
Bizee is a national document filing service company strictly specializing in the formation of business entities.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, our journey began in 2004 when business registration meant excessive paperwork and expensive attorneys.
Start your business with Bizee
Other options: Best Inc Authority Alternatives
Getting Started with Inc Authority
Inc Authority offers a robust, affordable solution for business formation. With its free package, it sets itself apart from many competitors, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.
The company also provides a range of comprehensive services at additional costs, catering to diverse business needs. Inc Authority could be the right fit if you’re launching a new venture or looking to streamline your existing operations.
Don’t let the complexities of business formation hold you back. Form your business with Inc Authority today!
FAQs
Is Inc Authority a legitimate business?
Yes, Inc Authority is a legitimate business. Based in Reno, Nevada, the company was founded in 1989. Over the last 30+ years, they’ve helped create over 250,000 businesses.
What are the benefits of Inc Authority?
Benefits of Inc Authority include a done-for-you business formation. They take care of all the paperwork, handle getting your employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS, and file with your state, so you don’t have to worry about it.
They also give you a year of registered agent service for free.
Does Inc Authority give refunds?
According to the website’s terms and conditions, you’ll be fully refunded if you cancel within 14 days of your initial order. Past that, your order becomes non-refundable.
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At Inc Authority your future is at your fingertips, with the ease of online convenience, free entity setup and our dedicated business startup specialist on standby.
Inc Authority
Inc Authority is an LLC formation service offering additional paperwork and helping businesses meet legal requirements.
Product Brand: Inc Authority, LLC
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