Inc Authority Review: Is It Worth It?

Inc Authority has been helping businesses incorporate since 1989, making it one of the oldest formation services in the industry. With over 250,000 businesses formed, they’ve built a solid reputation for reliability and straightforward service. But in a market dominated by sleeker, more feature-rich competitors, does Inc Authority still make sense in 2024?

In this comprehensive review, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Inc Authority’s services, pricing, and how they compare to other formation providers. You’ll learn whether their no-frills approach is right for your business or if you’d be better served elsewhere.

Inc Authority Pricing: What You’ll Pay

Inc Authority’s main selling point is simple: $0 formation fees. You only pay your state’s mandatory filing fee, which ranges from $40 to $520 depending on your state. This puts them in direct competition with other budget providers like ZenBusiness and Bizee.

Free Package Includes

• Articles of Organization preparation and filing
• One year of registered agent service
• Operating agreement template
• EIN acquisition assistance
• Basic customer support via email

Add-On Services

Inc Authority keeps it simple with just a few optional extras:

• Expedited filing: $100 (where available)
• Certified copies: $25 each
• Corporate kit: $89
• Additional registered agent years: $119 annually

The pricing is transparent and competitive, though you’ll notice they don’t offer the extensive add-on ecosystem that newer providers do.

What’s Actually Included

Inc Authority’s free package covers the essentials without any hidden fees or surprise charges. Here’s what you get:

Articles of Organization

Inc Authority handles the preparation and filing of your Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation, depending on your state). They’ve been doing this for decades, so they know the requirements for all 50 states.

One Year Free Registered Agent

Every LLC needs a registered agent, and Inc Authority includes this service for your first year at no charge. After that, it’s $119 annually, which is competitive with industry standards.

Operating Agreement Template

You’ll receive a basic operating agreement template that you can customize for your LLC. While not as comprehensive as what you’d get from legal-focused providers, it covers the fundamentals.

EIN Support

Inc Authority will help you obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, though this is something you can also do yourself for free directly with the IRS.

Registered Agent Service Deep Dive

As a company that’s been in business since 1989, Inc Authority has the infrastructure to provide reliable registered agent service across all states. Their registered agent service includes:

• Receipt of legal documents and official mail
• Email notifications when documents arrive
• Scanning and forwarding of important documents
• Business hours availability (not 24/7)

The service is solid and reliable, though not as feature-rich as what you’d get from specialized registered agent providers like Northwest Registered Agent. You won’t get online document access, mobile apps, or advanced compliance tracking.

Privacy Protection

Using Inc Authority as your registered agent keeps your personal address off public records, which is crucial for home-based business owners. They maintain offices in all states where they provide service, ensuring compliance with state requirements.

User Experience and Website

Inc Authority’s website feels dated compared to modern competitors. The ordering process is straightforward but lacks the guided, user-friendly experience you’ll find with newer providers. You won’t find interactive state guides, real-time progress tracking, or comprehensive educational resources.

The Formation Process

Filing with Inc Authority is simple:

1. Choose your state and enter basic business information
2. Review and confirm your order
3. Pay your state filing fee
4. Wait for processing (typically 3-5 business days)

The process works, but it’s bare-bones compared to the hand-holding you get from providers like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom.

Customer Support Quality

Inc Authority provides customer support primarily through email, with phone support available during business hours. Response times are generally reasonable, though not as fast as providers that emphasize customer service as a key differentiator.

The support team is knowledgeable about formation requirements and can answer basic questions about the process. However, don’t expect the comprehensive business guidance or educational resources you’d get from full-service providers.

Pros and Cons

What We Like About Inc Authority

• Truly free formation: No hidden fees or forced upsells
• Long track record: 35 years in business with 250,000+ formations
• Simple pricing: Easy to understand what you’ll pay
• Reliable service: Gets the basics done without complications
• No contracts: Clear terms without long-term commitments

Areas for Improvement

• Limited features: Bare-bones compared to modern competitors
• Outdated website: User experience feels stuck in the past
• Basic support: Email-primarily support with limited business guidance
• No dashboard: No online portal for document management
• Limited educational resources: Minimal help with ongoing business needs

Who Should Use Inc Authority

Inc Authority makes sense for specific types of business owners:

Budget-Conscious Entrepreneurs

If you’re starting a business on a tight budget and only need the absolute essentials, Inc Authority delivers. You’ll get a properly formed LLC without paying service fees.

Experienced Business Owners

If you’ve formed businesses before and don’t need hand-holding or educational resources, Inc Authority’s straightforward approach might appeal to you.

Simple Business Structures

For single-member LLCs or simple partnerships that don’t require complex formation strategies, Inc Authority handles the basics competently.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Inc Authority isn’t the best choice for everyone:

First-Time Business Owners

If this is your first business, you’ll benefit from the educational resources and guidance offered by providers like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom.

Technology-Focused Users

If you want mobile apps, online dashboards, and digital document management, look at more modern providers like Bizee or Swyft Filings.

Businesses Needing Ongoing Support

If you want compliance monitoring, annual report reminders, or ongoing business support, Inc Authority’s basic service model won’t meet your needs.

How Inc Authority Compares

To give you perspective on where Inc Authority fits in the market, here’s how they stack up against other top LLC services:

vs. ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness offers a more modern experience with better educational resources, a user dashboard, and more comprehensive support. Both offer free formation, but ZenBusiness provides more value for most users.

vs. Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent focuses primarily on registered agent services but offers superior formation packages with same-day filing and premium support. At $39 plus state fees, it’s more expensive but provides significantly better service.

vs. Bizee

Bizee offers similar free formation but with next-business-day filing, modern website experience, and better ongoing support tools.

vs. LegalZoom

LegalZoom provides more comprehensive legal support and business tools, though their basic formation package has similar features to Inc Authority.

The Bottom Line: Our Recommendation

Inc Authority is a solid, no-frills option for entrepreneurs who want free LLC formation from an established company. Their 35-year track record speaks to their reliability, and their straightforward approach appeals to business owners who don’t want to navigate complex pricing or unnecessary features.

However, the business formation industry has evolved significantly in recent years. Newer providers offer better user experiences, more comprehensive support, and additional value without necessarily costing more. Unless you specifically prefer Inc Authority’s bare-bones approach, you’ll likely find better value elsewhere.

For most business owners, we recommend considering providers that offer more modern features and better support while still maintaining competitive pricing. The small differences in service quality can make a significant impact on your formation experience and ongoing business success.

After Formation: Protecting Your New LLC

Once your LLC is formed, regardless of which provider you choose, you’ll need to take steps to protect and operate your business properly.

Business Banking

One of your first priorities should be opening a dedicated business bank account. This separation is crucial for maintaining your LLC’s liability protection and simplifying tax preparation. Look for banks that offer business accounts with no monthly fees and good online banking features.

Business Insurance

Even with an LLC’s liability protection, business insurance provides an additional layer of security. General liability insurance protects against customer injuries, property damage, and advertising claims. Professional liability insurance covers errors and omissions in your services.

Accounting and Bookkeeping

Proper financial record-keeping is essential for tax compliance and business decision-making. Even simple LLCs benefit from accounting software that tracks income, expenses, and generates professional invoices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Inc Authority legitimate?

Yes, Inc Authority is a legitimate business formation service that’s been operating since 1989. They’ve helped form over 250,000 businesses and maintain proper licensing in all states where they operate.

How long does formation take with Inc Authority?

Inc Authority typically processes formations within 3-5 business days, plus your state’s processing time. Some states process filings quickly, while others may take several weeks. You can pay for expedited service in states where it’s available.

What happens after the first year of free registered agent service?

After your first year, Inc Authority will contact you about renewing your registered agent service for $119 annually. You can choose to continue with them or switch to another provider.

Can I upgrade my service later?

Inc Authority’s service model is fairly basic, so there aren’t many upgrade options. You can purchase additional services like certified copies or corporate kits, but they don’t offer comprehensive business service packages like some competitors.

Does Inc Authority offer customer dashboards or online access?

No, Inc Authority doesn’t provide online dashboards or digital document management tools. Communications are primarily handled via email and phone.

What if I’m not satisfied with Inc Authority’s service?

Inc Authority offers customer support to address any issues, but their service model is quite basic. If you need more comprehensive features or support, you may need to consider switching to a different provider for future needs.

Do I need to live in the same state where I form my LLC?

No, you can form an LLC in any state regardless of where you live. However, you’ll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in your home state if you plan to do business there.

Can Inc Authority help with ongoing compliance?

Inc Authority’s service focuses primarily on formation. They don’t offer comprehensive compliance monitoring or annual report services like some full-service providers.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Filing fees and requirements change : always confirm current fees with your state’s Secretary of State office.