Idaho Official Government Website

Legal Structure

Business Names and Entity Types

Prospective business owners register their businesses in at least two, and possibly three ways. Both a legal structure (business entity form) and a name must be registered. You may want to consult with an attorney before choosing a legal structure, particularly if more than one person will own the business. (The information on this site does not replace legal advice provided by an attorney.) The legal entity form affects the taxes paid and when and how they are reported, so the assistance of an accountant may also be needed.

Business names and entity types are registered with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office before engaging in business activities. If the business will be an LLC or corporation, the name is registered when the entity registration form is filed. Sole proprietorships and partnerships file an Assumed Business Name, also called a DBA (doing business as).

Business registrations are public records. Any information included on the registration form, including your name and address, will be available for public view. The Secretary of State’s website includes a tutorial on how to register your business online. You must be 18 or older to register a business.

If the business will have employees, make retail sales, or provides lodging, it must also register with the Idaho State Tax Commission and possibly the Idaho Industrial Commission and Idaho Department of Labor (employers only) by filing IBRS. You do this after registering the business name and legal structure.


Beneficial ownership information reporting

Effective January 1, 2024 many U.S. companies are required to report information about their beneficial owners, the individuals who ultimately own or control the company and benefit financially from ownership. The information is reported to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Beneficial ownership reporting is a requirement of the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021.

Who should report? When in doubt, report. Corporations, s-corps, LLCs and DBAs need to report. There is no penalty to report if you may be exempt, but there is a hefty penalty, assessed daily, for failure to report if you are not exempt. Existing businesses have until January 1, 2025 to report. New businesses must report within 90 days of registering their business with the Secretary of State.

For assistance, see FinCen Small Business Resources.

Choosing a Legal Structure

The following legal structures (business entity types) are recognized in Idaho. For information, click on the name. To find a comparison chart of the attributes of each business type, click here: Business Entities comparison. If a married couple plans to start a business together, see Married Couples in Business on the IRS website before choosing an entity type.

This is the simplest business structure to create. All businesses are considered sole proprietorships unless specifically registered with the Secretary of State’s office as a corporation, partnership, LLC, or non-profit entity. If the business will operate as a sole proprietorship, filing a certificate of “Assumed Business Name” is sufficient; no additional paperwork is required. If the business owner chooses to use her/his full name (first and last name unless it is a common name, then middle initial should be included) as a portion of the business name, it is not necessary to register with the Secretary of State. A sole proprietorship is:

  • Owned by ONE individual, who has responsibility for all business decisions and financial obligations. Business revenue (income) is considered the owner’s personal income and is taxed at the owner’s personal tax rate. Business liabilities (debts) are the owner’s personal liabilities.
  • Is NOT a separate legal entity but an extension of the business owner. If the business incurs debts or is sued, the owner’s personal assets can be used to satisfy the debt or a court judgment.
  • Does NOT offer liability protection.
  • Pays taxes by filing Schedule C with the owner’s personal income tax return. The owner pays quarterly estimated tax on business profits and pays self-employment tax. See the Taxes section of this website for information about both.
  • The business terminates upon the owner’s retirement, death, incapacity or bankruptcy. Assets are disposed of according to the owner’s wishes, the terms of the owner’s will or a court order.
  • A sole proprietorship business cannot be sold or transferred to another owner because it is not a legal entity. The assets of the business (equipment, vehicles, etc.) can be sold or transferred to another person or business.

To change the address or close a sole proprietorship, file a “Cancellation or Amendment of Certificate of Assumed Business Name” with the Secretary of State’s office.

A General Partnership involves two or more people who operate a business together. The partnership is created by filing a Statement of Partnership Authority with the Secretary of State. A general partnership may be converted to a limited liability partnership.

  • General partners share unlimited personal liability for the obligations of the business. The partners’ personal assets may be used to satisfy creditors, including debts incurred by only one partner.
  • Does NOT provide liability protection.
  • Business operations are governed by the terms of a written Partnership Agreement created by an attorney in accordance with Idaho law.
  • When a partner leaves the business, she/he files a “Statement of Denial” or a “Statement of Dissociation” with the Secretary of State’s office. An attorney will then need to amend the Partnership Agreement to reflect the change.
  • Partners share in the profits and losses of the business according to the terms of the Partnership Agreement. Profits are taxed as personal income.
  • Partnerships end with the death, retirement, expulsion, incapacity, or personal bankruptcy of one partner unless the Partnership Agreement states otherwise. Partnerships are governed by the Idaho Uniform Partnership Act.

Foreign Partnerships: Partnerships organized in another state and wishing to do business in Idaho can file a Foreign Registration Statement with the Secretary of State.

Caution: Under Idaho law, a legally binding partnership may be created orally, in writing, or by the actions of two or more parties. Individuals who engage in a common effort to make and share profits from a business activity or businesses that represent themselves to the public as partnerships may have created a legal partnership, even if they have not registered as a Partnership with the Secretary of State. Creating an unintentional or implied partnership could have serious legal or financial implications.

Most often formed by professional businesses, such as doctors, lawyers and CPA firms. Provides individual partners limited protection from personal liability for the acts of the partnership and/or the acts of one partner that might negatively affect all partners (misconduct, negligence, etc.). The partners continue to share liability resulting from general activities of the partnership.

  • An attorney creates a written Partnership Agreement to govern the general affairs of the business.
  • Is a separate legal entity from its members (must have at least two members)
  • Taxed like a general partnership
  • Individuals or an existing general partnership may elect to become an LLP or PLLP by filing a “Statement of Qualification” with the Secretary of State’s office.

Consists of two or more individuals who jointly own a business in an unequal capacity. The limited partner/partners are generally financially liable for debts only to the extent of their financial investment in the business. They usually have limited or no control over management of the company. The general partner/partners manage the company and face the greatest potential risk and reward from business operations. Silent partners are limited partners.

  • Formed by filing a “Certificate of Limited Partnership” with the Secretary of State’s office. The limited partners (or silent partners) do not need to be identified. (They must be identified if applying for an alcohol license.)
  • To protect the interests of both the limited and general partners, an attorney creates a Partnership Agreement detailing the terms and responsibilities of each partner.

This is the most complex entity type to establish. Legal assistance is generally required to create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to manage and regulate corporate affairs. Several types of corporations are recognized in Idaho including C, S, Non-profit, and Professional Service Corporations. Each is discussed below.

  • Is a separate legal entity from its owners (shareholders) and may be privately or publicly held. (Publicly held corporations issue stock to the public.)
  • Controlled by a Board of Directors, which is in turn controlled by the corporation owners (shareholders). Though a corporation is a separate legal entity from the owners, it is possible to “pierce the corporate veil of protection” if a business owner (incorporator) personally co-signs a lease or loan agreement, pledges personal assets as collateral for a loan, or fails to keep business and personal finances separate. The owners can also be held personally liable if the corporation fails to pay employment taxes to the IRS, including Social Security and Medicare.
  • May issue stock.
  • Corporate profits may be taxed twice if the corporation issues dividends – once as income to the corporation and once as a dividend to the owners (shareholders).
  • Must hold annual meetings, keep minutes of meetings, and file reports of activities.
  • Is dissolved by a vote of the shareholders, by court order, or administratively dissolved for failure to return the annual report to the Secretary of State’s office. (See the Glossary for an explanation.) Corporations must keep their address and email current with the Secretary of State’s office or risk being administratively dissolved when their annual report form is returned by the Post Office or an email is not received. The Post office cannot forward report forms. If a corporation is administratively dissolved, the process to become reinstated can be time-consuming and there is a cost. The business will lose liability protection and owners will be personally liable for the actions of the business until the situation is resolved.

Registering a Foreign Corporation: Corporations registered in another state and wishing to conduct business in Idaho can register as a foreign corporation by filing a Foreign Registration Statement.

Unemployment Tax Payments: If the corporation owner/owners are also shareholders and actively work in the business, they must report a fair market wage before taking distributions or dividends that are not taxable as wages. Many business owners do not realize that they are considered employees if they work in the business. All corporations whose owner/officers provide services must open an unemployment insurance tax account with the Idaho Department of Labor and either report wages or opt out as a corporate officer. For details, contact your nearest IDOL office.

Offers the protection of a corporation with the flexibility of a partnership.

  • Profits and losses pass through to the owners as if the business were a partnership.
  • Files “Articles of Incorporation,” adopts Bylaws, and holds regular meetings. In Idaho, the same forms are used to establish an S corporation and a C corporation.
  • Cannot be owned by more than 100 individuals (shareholders) and cannot be owned by another corporation, partnership, or a non-U.S. citizen or resident.
  • To qualify as an S Corporation, the owners file Form 2553 with the Internal Revenue Service indicating their tax reporting status. If the S Corp ceases to exist, both the IRS and the Idaho Secretary of State’s office must be notified.
  • Some business types, including financial institutions and insurance companies, cannot be organized as S Corporations. See the IRS website for details.
  • May issue stock (restrictions apply).
  • S-corp shareholders report income and losses to the IRS by filing a Schedule C with their personal tax return.

Exists to provide a community service. Funding comes from donations and grants received from corporations, foundations, individuals and government agencies.

  • Non-profits first register a busines name and entity type with the Idaho Secretary of State. They then apply for and seek to maintain tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. Once tax exempt non-profit status is granted the organization then amends their registration with the state. The process is time-consuming and expensive, so be certain your business qualifies before applying. An attorney or CPA can prepare and file the application. For details see Before Applying for Tax Exempt Status and Starting Out.
  • After obtaining IRS approval, the non-profit registers in Idaho as a non-profit. To reserve a name while awaiting IRS approval, “Application for Reservation of Legal Entity Name” can be filed.
  • The “Articles of Incorporation” must contain a clause stating the specific purpose of the business and a provision for the disposal of assets should the non-profit cease to exist.
  • Tax reporting requirements are found on the IRS website.
  • Non-profits engaged in the solicitation of donations from the public must comply with the “Idaho Charitable Solicitations Act.”
  • Closing/Selling: If you close your non-profit, sell it or convert it to a for-profit entity, you must notify the Idaho Attorney General’s office. The Idaho Charitable Assets Protection Act governs how you can legally dispose of the assets of the non-profit.

Individuals serving on the board of a charitable organization have specific obligations under Idaho law. See the Idaho Attorney General’s booklet, “Service on an Idaho Non-profit Board of Directors.”

Registered by individuals engaged in a limited number of professions, such as medical, dental or legal. A list of qualifying business types is available from the Secretary of State’s office. Created by filing Articles of Incorporation Professional Service Corporation.

Registered by homeowners associations, sports leagues and a few other organizations that offer a benefit to a large group of individuals and whose officers or agents change regularly. The purpose of registration is to identify a contact person, known as an Agent for Service of Process, for legal proceedings. Whenever the contact person changes, the Secretary of State’s office must be notified.

Provides the liability protection of a corporation and the federal tax benefits of a partnership or sole proprietorship. Formed by filing a “Certificate of Organization” with the Secretary of State’s office. A few business types, including banks and insurance companies, cannot be LLCs.

  • Operates under a legal contract between the owners called an “Operating Agreement.” All LLCs, including single member ones, need a legal Operating Agreement created by an attorney that conforms with Idaho law. If an agreement is not created, the business is governed by the “Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act,” which may not be in the business’s best interests.
  • The individual owners, called governors, members or managers, are protected from personal liability for the acts of the company. They are not personally liable for debts, obligations, or liabilities created by the company unless one of the business governors/owners/managers engages in activities that “pierce the veil” of protection.
  • The veil of protection from liability is “pierced” when an owner signs or co-signs a lease, loan application or another legal document, pledges personal property as collateral for a loan or fails to keep business and personal finances separate. The IRS can also hold the business owners/managers personally responsible for failure to remit taxes withheld from employee wages, including Social Security and Medicare payments.
  • Taxed like a sole proprietorship (if one owner) or a partnership if multiple owners. Members of an LLC are considered self-employed and must make self-employment tax payments.
  • A single member LLC terminates upon the death, retirement, incapacity or bankruptcy of the owner or by court order. A multi-member LLC terminates in accordance with the terms of the LLC’s Operating Agreement, a court order or state law. The Idaho Secretary of State’s office must be notified of termination by filing the appropriate form. Business assets are liquidated and distributed in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement or by court order.
  • An LLC can lose its status if the annual report is not returned to the Idaho Secretary of State’s office in a timely manner. See Administratively Dissolved Corporations and LLCs.
  • Some types of businesses, such as banks and insurance companies, cannot be formed as LLCs.

The Internal Revenue Service does not recognize LLCs as a unique tax reporting entity. (LLCs are created by state, not Federal, law.) Therefore, taxes are reported in the same manner as a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship (called a disregarded entity), depending on the size and complexity of the LLC. See the IRS website for details.

Registering a Foreign LLC – An LLC formed in another state can register to do business in Idaho by completing a Foreign Registration Statement.

Changing the Registered Address or Agent, Dissolving an LLC – Contact the Secretary of State’s office for information and access to the correct form. An LLC must have a current address and email address on file with the Secretary of State’s office or risk being administratively dissolved when its annual report form is not returned. The Post Office cannot forward annual report forms. If your LLC is administratively dissolved and you want to reinstate it, contact the Secretary of State’s office for information. There is a cost to be reinstated.

LLCs whose members offer a professional service (18 professions qualify) can register as PLLCs. Contact the Secretary of State’s office for details. A list of acceptable professions is found on the application form. To find the form on the Secretary of State’s website click on Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Company.

Changing or cancelling registered information

The Secretary of State’s office and the IRS must be informed when registered information changes. Corporations and LLCs must file annual reports. For information on these topics, click the links below.

Businesses must notify the Idaho Secretary of State’s office and the IRS (see the Taxes page for information) when changes in registered information occur. Also contact any agency from whom your business has secured a license or permit, such as a sales tax permit or local business license, or established an account, such as an employee withholding account.

  • Address Change –  See the information on the Secretary of State’s website, How to file amendments and annual reports.”
  • Name Change – Corporations desiring to change their name submit “Articles of Amendment” to the Secretary of State’s office. Before submitting the form, a formal corporate meeting must occur at which shareholders (owners) vote on the name change. Contact the Secretary of State’s office to learn how to secure the “Articles of Amendment” form. Also contact the IRS for their requirements when a name changes.
    LLCs, partnerships and businesses that have filed only an Assumed Business Name, which creates a sole proprietorship, change their name by submitting the appropriate Amendment form found on the Secretary of State’s website.
  • Registered Agent – When the registered agent (the primary in-state person representing a foreign corporation or LLC) or the registered agent’s address changes, the Secretary of State’s office must be notified. Failure to notify the Secretary of State may result in the business being administratively dissolved for failure to return the annual report form, which cannot be forwarded by the Post Office.
  • Selling a Business – When a business is sold, both the current owner and the new owner need to notify the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Secretary of State’s office. If the business has employees, the Idaho Department of Labor and Idaho State Tax Commission may need to be contacted to be certain unemployment and withholdings accounts are reported correctly. Any other agencies from whom permits or licenses have been obtained, such as a sales tax permit or local business license, should be contacted as well.

When a business closes, the Secretary of State’s office must be notified. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Idaho State Tax Commission should be notified to be certain accounts are closed and final tax payments made. If the business has employees, the Idaho State Tax Commission and the Idaho Department of Labor should be contacted to be certain state tax, withholding and unemployment accounts are closed. Any permits and/or licenses need to be cancelled, including a sales and use tax permit and a local business license.

Bankruptcy:  If a business closes due to bankruptcy, see the IRS website for information.

Property Tax: If the business pays property tax on equipment to their county assessor, they may need to pay any prorated tax due.

Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLC) file an annual report form with the Secretary of State’s office. The purpose of the report is to notify the Secretary of State that the business is still active and it lists current owners or members. Failure to return the form by the due date can result in the business being administratively dissolved (the liability protection afforded by being a corporation or LLC is revoked and the owners assume personal liability for the business).

When the report is due, the Secretary of State’s office mails or emails a notice to the company’s address or email of record. The report can be returned by mail or completed on-line. If not returned within 60 days of the due date, a warning notice is sent. Continued failure to respond will result in the business being administratively dissolved.

If your business is administratively dissolved, contact the Secretary of State’s office to find out how to reinstate the business. Reinstatement requires time and money. During the suspension the business and its owners become personally liable for any issues that might arise.

Important: Annual report forms cannot be forwarded by the Post Office. It is the business owner’s responsibility to keep all contact information up to date with the Secretary of State’s office or risk having the business administratively dissolved.

Foreign corporations, LLCs and partnerships desiring to apply for a “Certificate of Authority” to do business in Idaho must submit an application and a “Certificate of Existence” from their home state indicating the business is currently in good standing in that state. The “Certificate of Existence” is obtained from the office or agency in the state where the business is legally registered within 90 days of the date of registration in Idaho.

Foreign corporations, LLCs and partnerships file a Foreign Registration Statement to do business in Idaho. If a registered foreign entity ceases doing business in Idaho, a “Withdrawal of Foreign Registration Statement” or a “Cancellation of Certificate of Authority” must be filed. Contact the Secretary of State’s office for information.

Registered agent: Foreign entities must appoint a registered agent to represent their interests in Idaho. A registered agent is an Idaho resident who can receive legal notices on behalf of the business. It may be an individual, an attorney or a business that specializes in acting as a registered agent.

Out of state corporations or LLCs having an employee living in Idaho but not actively soliciting business in Idaho (the employee is doing only administrative work from home for an out of state business) can register the corporate name using “Application for Registration of Foreign Name.” The name can be registered for a year or by month. Registration notifies the State that your company has a presence in Idaho.

When a business changes from one entity type to another (such as from an LLC to an S Corp), the new registration needs to be filed with the Secretary of State’s office. An attorney may be needed to assure that documents are completed correctly, the old entity is dissolved, and an Operating Agreement, Articles of Incorporation, Partnership Agreement or other required documents are completed. Contact the Idaho State Tax Commission and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if the business’s tax reporting method changes. If the business has employees, the Idaho Department of Labor and the Idaho State Tax Commission should also be notified to update unemployment and withholding accounts.

A corporation can “convert” to an LLC to take advantage of the tax benefits of an LLC by filing a “Statement of Conversion” with the Secretary of State’s office. Conversion is complex, so legal and financial advice should be secured to assist with filing the necessary paperwork, dissolving the corporation and creating a legal Operating Agreement for the LLC. The IRS and State Tax Commission need to be notified, as well as any agencies from whom permits or licenses have been secured. If the business has employees, the Idaho Department of Labor and Idaho State Tax Commission need to be notified.

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.