Starting a new business can be both exciting and daunting. With so many legal requirements and steps involved, it’s crucial to choose a reliable service provider that can guide you through the process. Incfile, a reputable online legal document preparation service, offers affordable and comprehensive business formation services for entrepreneurs. But how does it compare to its competitors, and what can you expect from their services? In this review, we’ll dive deep into Incfile’s offerings, benefits, potential drawbacks, and how it stacks up against other providers in the market.
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Key Takeaways
Incfile is a reliable and cost-effective online legal document preparation service for entrepreneurs to form and manage their businesses, with over 800,000 businesses formed.
Incfile offers an affordable platform with comprehensive services ranging from business formation to bookkeeping & tax consultation.
When comparing Incfile vs competitors such as ZenBusiness & LegalZoom it’s important to consider features, customer reviews & experiences in order to determine the best fit for your needs.
Incfile Overview
Incfile is a popular choice among small business owners, providing a range of online legal document preparation services for entrepreneurs looking to form and manage their businesses. Their services include the formation of limited liability companies (LLCs), C-corps, S-corps, and nonprofits, as well as registered agent services, annual reports, and more. With every Incfile plan, users can enjoy unlimited name searches, a free registered agent for a year, and the preparation and filing of articles of organization, making it an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective solution.
Established in 2004, Incfile has since assisted in the formation of over 800,000 businesses, earning a strong reputation with thousands of positive reviews and only a few negative feedbacks. Their LLC service is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., offering a convenient and comprehensive solution for entrepreneurs looking to establish their business bank account.
History of Incfile
From its inception, Incfile has been instrumental in guiding entrepreneurs through the complexities of business formation. Over the years, Incfile has successfully established over 1 million businesses, garnering a reputable standing and positive customer reviews, while providing essential business documents.
Beyond their core services, Incfile provides:
A no-cost registered agent service for the inaugural year, enabling businesses to establish a designated contact for the receipt and forwarding of crucial documents as required by law.
Cost-effective and efficient business formation services.
Assistance in obtaining business licenses and helping businesses set up their bank accounts.
The strong reputation of Incfile stems from its dedication to offering these services. Thousands of satisfied customers and minimal negative feedback demonstrate the company’s reliability.
Business Formation Services Offered
Incfile’s diverse suite of services meets various business needs, including:
Business formation
Registered agent services
Annual report filing
No-cost LLC formation service for budding entrepreneurs
They also provide a corporate or LLC kit, which includes essential documents such as a corporate seal, stock certificates, and a sample operating agreement, crucial for business owners. Additionally, they offer business contract templates to further assist in the process.
Whether you’re looking to form a public charity, foundation, social advocacy organization, professional and trade organization, or even a school, university, church, museum, hospital, homeless shelter, or food bank, Incfile has you covered. They also offer S-corporation formation services, providing opportunities to save on taxes, safeguard personal assets, gain flexible characterization of income, and facilitate the transfer of ownership.
Should you need to dissolve your business, Incfile can handle the dissolution process for a fee of $149 plus any applicable state fees.
Benefits of Using Incfile
Incfile’s affordable pricing, user-friendly online platform, and diverse array of services for business formation and continual support make it an ideal choice for LLC establishment. Some of the benefits you can expect from using Incfile include:
Free basic LLC formation and incorporation packages
A year of free registered agent service
Unlimited name searches
Online storage for formation documents
Combining affordability, user-friendliness, and an extensive range of services, Incfile stands as a preferred solution for entrepreneurs aiming to initiate and expand their businesses.
Affordability
Incfile boasts competitive pricing, featuring a no-cost Silver package along with reasonably priced Gold and Platinum packages to accommodate diverse budgets. The Silver package includes the formation of your LLC, a complimentary registered agent service for one year, and access to Incfile’s online dashboard.
With the Gold package, users can enjoy additional features such as:
LLC formation and llc services
A complimentary registered agent service for one year
Access to Incfile’s online dashboard
A business tax consultation
All for $149 plus state filing fees.
The Platinum package includes:
LLC formation
Complimentary registered agent service for one year
Access to Incfile’s online dashboard
Business tax consultation
Business compliance review
The price for the Platinum package is $299 plus state filing fees.
Ease of Use
The design of Incfile’s platform aims to simplify the business formation process to the maximum extent. Their streamlined process is tailored to the state you reside in and the type of business you are forming, with question marks and hyperlinks throughout the application to provide additional information on any field.
Incfile also offers the option to opt into supplementary services that are not included in the formation package, allowing users to customize their experience and only pay for the services they need. The prices for these additional services are reflected on the screen immediately, providing transparency and ease-of-use for users.
Comprehensive Service Offerings
Beyond its core services, Incfile presents a broad spectrum of supplementary services to accommodate diverse business requirements. These include:
Business formation for LLCs, S corporations, C corporations, and nonprofits
Registered agent services
EIN acquisition
And more
They also provide the following services:
Business bookkeeping and accounting services
Monthly reports
Bookkeeping software
A qualified professional bookkeeper to join their team
Tax consultation from a small business accountant
Business bank accounts
This wide range of services ensures that Incfile can support businesses at every stage of their growth journey.
Potential Drawbacks of Incfile
Despite Incfile’s extensive range of services, potential users should be mindful of certain potential shortcomings. Some users have reported encountering:
Upsells and higher overall prices for certain features
Customer support that may not always be the most responsive, particularly regarding email communication
Subpar quality of service in comparison to some of its competitors.
Before making a final decision, it’s worth balancing these potential drawbacks against the advantages of using Incfile.
Upsells
One potential disadvantage of using Incfile is the occurrence of upsells during checkout. For example, users may be offered a business address and virtual mail service at a rate of $29 per month. While these additional services may be useful for some businesses, they can increase the overall cost for users who may not need all the features offered.
It’s essential to carefully consider which services are necessary for your business and only opt for those that provide value.
Customer Support Issues
Occasional customer support challenges reported by some users represent another potential downside of Incfile. Although Incfile offers phone support during business hours, their responsiveness may be slow, particularly when it comes to email communication.
Additionally, some users have reported difficulties with unresponsive support, which can be frustrating when trying to resolve issues or get answers to questions. It’s crucial to consider the level of customer support you require and whether Incfile can meet those needs before choosing their services.
Incfile Packages and Pricing
Incfile offers three packages for business formation: Silver (free + state fee), Gold ($149 + state fee), and Platinum ($299 + state fee). Each package is designed to cater to different business needs, with varying levels of support and additional features.
Understanding the specific offerings of each package can help you make an informed decision about which option is best suited for your business.
Silver Package Features
The Silver package is ideal for entrepreneurs looking for basic business formation services at an affordable price. This package includes the preparation and filing of Articles of Organization, Name Availability Searches, and One Year of Registered Agent Service, all for $0 plus the applicable state filing fee.
This cost-effective option allows users to establish their business without breaking the bank, making it an attractive choice for those just starting out.
Gold Package Features
For those looking for additional features and support, Incfile’s Gold package offers a more comprehensive solution. Priced at $149 plus state filing fees, the Gold package includes essential formation documents, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and IRS Form 2553.
This package also provides extra features such as a custom operating agreement and express shipping, making it well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a more robust offering.
Platinum Package Features
For businesses requiring expedited processing and additional support, Incfile’s Platinum package is the premium option. Priced at $299 plus state filing fees, this package includes:
All the features of the Gold package
Next-day filing
Domain name
Business email
The Platinum package includes:
Access to a sample document library of 25+ business forms and documents written by an attorney, which can be tailored to meet the user’s needs
Higher level of support
Expedited processing
This package is designed for businesses that require a higher level of support and expedited processing.
Incfile vs. Competitors
Incfile competes with other business formation services, such as ZenBusiness and LegalZoom, offering similar services but with varying pricing and features. When comparing these providers, it’s important to consider factors such as:
Cost
Ease of use
Range of services offered
Customer reviews and experiences
This comparison can help you determine which service best meets your business needs and budget.
Incfile vs. ZenBusiness
Incfile and ZenBusiness both offer affordable LLC formation services, but customer reviews and specific features may influence the decision between the two. While Incfile provides a free Silver package and affordable Gold and Platinum packages, ZenBusiness offers a more generous refund window, allowing customers up to 60 days to request a refund, although state filing fees are non-refundable.
When comparing the two, it’s vital to consider which features are most important to your business and weigh the pros and cons of each provider.
Incfile vs. LegalZoom
Compared to Incfile, LegalZoom’s LLC formation services are more expensive, with their basic Economy plan priced at $79 plus state filing fees. Additionally, services like registered agent and operating agreement creation may cost extra with LegalZoom, unlike a free LLC formation service.
On the other hand, Incfile offers a free basic LLC formation package, as well as affordable Gold and Platinum packages that include these additional services. When considering Incfile vs. LegalZoom, it’s essential to compare the pricing and features of each provider and determine which option is the best fit for your business and budget.
Learn more, visit Incfile vs. LegalZoom: Differences, Pros & Cons.
How to Get Started with Incfile
To kickstart with Incfile, follow these steps:
Select from the three available packages.
Supply the required details, including your preferred business name, business entity type, state of formation, registered agent’s name and address, and the business owner’s name and address.
Incfile will handle the filing process, ensuring that your desired company name is available, preparing and submitting the relevant documents to the state, and providing updates on the progress of your order.
Additionally, Incfile offers a complimentary first-year registered agent service and a lifetime of company alerts to ensure that you remain compliant with state regulations.
With Incfile’s guidance and support, you can confidently navigate the business formation process and focus on the growth of your new venture.
Customer Support and Resources
Incfile provides a variety of customer support options, aiding users in navigating the business formation process and managing their businesses effectively. These options include phone support, an online knowledge base, and email courses, providing users with access to the information and assistance they need to succeed.
By leveraging these resources, users can not only form their businesses but also ensure they remain compliant and up-to-date with state regulations and requirements.
Phone Support
Incfile provides phone support during business hours, offering prompt assistance for users with questions or concerns. Available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm CST, Incfile’s phone support team is ready to help you with any inquiries or issues you may encounter.
By providing timely and knowledgeable support, Incfile ensures that users can confidently navigate the business formation process and successfully manage their businesses.
Online Knowledge Base
Incfile’s online knowledge base offers helpful tips and documentation to assist users in understanding the business formation process and managing their businesses. This comprehensive resource covers topics such as establishing an LLC, filing taxes, and managing finances, ensuring that users have access to the information they need to succeed.
By leveraging Incfile’s online knowledge base, users can confidently navigate the business formation process and effectively manage their businesses.
Email Courses
In addition to their phone support and online knowledge base, Incfile offers email courses that provide valuable information and resources for users looking to start and grow their businesses. These courses cover various topics, such as business formation, tax planning, and financial management, offering users the opportunity to learn and apply essential business skills and knowledge.
By taking advantage of Incfile’s email courses, users can equip themselves with the tools and resources needed to successfully manage and grow their businesses.
Summary
In conclusion, Incfile offers a comprehensive suite of business formation services, making it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs looking to form and manage their businesses. With its affordable pricing, user-friendly platform, and extensive service offerings, Incfile stands out as a reliable and cost-effective solution for business formation. However, potential drawbacks such as upsells and customer support issues should also be considered when choosing a service provider. By carefully evaluating Incfile’s offerings and comparing them to competitors in the market, you can make an informed decision about which service best meets your business needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Incfile LLC legit?
Based on TrustPilot’s 4.7 TrustScore and the BBB’s 4.77 out of 5 rating, Incfile LLC can be considered a reliable and legitimate company. It provides an affordable plan which includes the formation of an LLC for free, before state fees.
Does Incfile give you an EIN number?
Yes, Incfile offers an EIN number with their Gold and Platinum packages or as a standalone service for $70.
Why is incfile charging me?
Incfile is charging you for their services which include forming your business and providing registered agent service, as well as the mid-tier Gold package. The registered agent service will renew automatically each year and your credit card will be charged by Incfile’s partner for the annual renewal.
Why did incfile charge me 119?
At Incfile, our Registered Agent Service is free for the first year and costs $119 annually to renew after that. This is why you were charged $119.
What types of businesses can be formed using Incfile’s services?
Incfile’s services enable customers to form LLCs, S corporations, C corporations and nonprofits.
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