After the popularity of our recent reader reviews of LLC formation services (where we asked you guys to send in your opinions – see the CorpNet review); we decided to do the same here with our in-depth look at Inc Authority.
In this article, we’ve lifted the lid off what the service has to offer.
However, not only will you discover our opinion on whether Inc Authority should be recommended, we have provided the low down from our readers too.
For the findings in brief, check out the box below. For all that comprehensive review goodness, keep on reading.
Table of Contents
Inc Authority Review Summary
FREE LLC FORMATION + State Fee (Optional add-ons)
OR, Starter: $199 / Executive: $399 / Tycoon: $799
The basic LLC package $0 plus state fee is an amazing deal- 1 year registered agent services even on free package
- The ordering process is very easy (intuitive website)
- Add-on & Package prices are completely transparent and easy to compare
- Customer service and support is fast and helpful
The price of add-ons quickly accumulates- For comprehensive support you need to be signed up to the monthly Inc Provider Protection scheme
- The all-inclusive packages are expensive compared to the rest of the market
For budget-minded individuals looking to form an LLC it is difficult to fault Inc Authority’s free formation (+ state fees) deal. It is a fast professional service and you even get 1 year’s registered agency included. A definite market leader. However, if you are interested in purchasing extras, the price will quickly add-up until competing services (such as Inc File), may be a better choice.
So who are Inc Authority?
Since its founding in 1989 Inc Authority has helped over 117,000 organizations prepare and file formations across the USA.
Aimed at both small and large businesses as well as the individual, the Nevada-based company is actually part of a co-operative of firms that offer filing services.
These have been amalgamated into the client-facing entity that is Inc Authority. When we say client-facing, we actually mean the online presence that clients use to access Inc Authority’s services.
As they boldly state: “(we) provide the kind of legal services you’d normally only get face-to-face via the web.”
What Services do IncAuthority Provide?
Essentially IncAuthority.com is a destination you can go online to pay for assistance in filing your LLC or registering your corporation.
Inc Authority provides an all-inclusive service for filing all the necessary paperwork to the state authorities where you are basing your enterprise.
However, the business model is different from other LLC formation services we have reviewed on Vault50, (although Inc File has recently made fundamental changes to their pricing system).
Their primary package is absolutely free!! (I’ll allow that to sink in for a minute)
That’s right, Inc Authority will do all the necessary LLC formation paperwork and filing free of charge. You only pay the compulsory state fee and postage.
The way Inc Authority hopes to make money on you like a free customer is through follow up services during the life of your business.
They also give you plenty of opportunities to select add-on services to the freebie offer.
However, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Let’s take a look at the pricing structure of Inc Authority’s services.
Inc Authority Pricing: The Free Plan
As mentioned above, Inc Authority offers free filing services with the customer only needing to pay the required state fee.
- 5 Point Name Check – This is necessary for all filings. Inc Authority will check that the name you have chosen for your LLC is fully available for you to use.
- Preparation & Filing – This is the nuts and bolts of the service. They will prepare all forms and then carry out the filing with your state of choice. (You do need to cover the state filing fee, however).
- Registered Agent – It is a legal requirement that a registered 3rd party is used as an intermediary for any legal documents/correspondence received from the state. Inc Authority will do this free of charge for 1 year.
- Digital Delivery & Storage – Essentially, this means that all your important formation documents will be safely stored in the cloud as well as sent you digitally. You will continue to have access to Inc Authority’s servers to access important documents.
- Business Checking Account – They will provide you with access to a business checking account with exclusive incentives
- S-Corp Election Form – Inc Authority will prepare and file S-Corp document Form 2553 with the IRS.
- INC CARE Support – You will have access to the Inc Authority support staff via email and telephone.
- Tax Planning Consultation – You will also have access to a free tax planning consultation as you form your new LLC.
Paid Add-Ons to the Free Plan
When you opt for the free package Inc Authority will give the opportunity to purchase add-ons during the ordering process, (right before payment checkout).
The services you can choose as an addition to the free package are as follows:
Employer Identification Number (EIN) = $49
After starting your new business you are going to need EIN/Federal Tax ID Number. This is a legal requirement and is used yo file taxes, open a business account and employ people.
For $49 Inc Authority will take care of registering your EIN/federal tax ID number on your behalf.
As they so aptly put, don’t waste time with the IRS, use Inc Authority to deliver your EIN/Tax ID directly to you.
- Related Content: ZenBusiness Review – What we thought of this LLC formation Service
Operating Agreement = $89
For $89 Inc Authority will also create a custom Operating Agreement for your new business.
Some states make this a legal requirement. The operating agreement is a document that is used to provide proof that you own the business.
It establishes the organization of the LLC and the rules that govern how profits are divided among owners.
If your business structure is potentially complicated, an operating agreement is highly advised.
Inc Protection Advisor = $27 per month
INC Protection Advisor is a service designed to assist new business owners with the practicalities of running their enterprise.
For 27 a month Inc Authority will provide unlimited phone and online support for all of the following issues:
- IRS Notifications and Audits
- Tax and Accounting
- State and Local Business Licenses
- Lawsuit Defense
- Payroll and Business Funding
- Business Banking and Credit Cards
If you are a newbie to the business world, this support can be invaluable. For those more used to the workings of an LLC, you may not need to opt for this.
A Record Book = $99
Inc Authority also provides an additional documentation package that can get business owners off to the right start.
For 99 they will organize Custom Legal Ownership Certificates/Stock certificates, create a custom case with your business name engraved, and all content tabs for your legal documents, as well as a company seal.
This is a great way of getting your documents organized so that you can concentrate on running your business.
Express Processing = $49
Quite simply, if you’re in a hurry express processing will see Inc Authority process your filing as quickly as possible.
They will normally be able to send completed documents for state filing the very same day that you order.
Required Business Licenses = $99
It could be that your state requires particular business licenses depending on the type of trade you are planning on doing.
If that’s the case, Inc Authority will look into this for you, (conducting the necessary research) to provide you with a customized package of all the applications needed for your type and place of business.
This will cover all necessary licenses, permits and tax registrations for your state
Again, for peace of mind, this is well worth opting for.
Website Registration = $29.95
The final add-on to the free service is domain name registration. For $29.95 Inc Authority will arrange 1-year business domain name registration so that you can receive emails to your business domain.
You will also be able to use this to set up your business website.
Paid Premium Packages
As you can see from the above, there is plenty of opportunities to add extra paid services to the free plan.
In fact, if you need several of the above add-ons it can make more sense to purchase one of the full paid packages from Inc Authority.
They class them as Start-Up bundle packages and consist of the following:
- Verify Business Name Availability
- Custom State Filed Articles
- Complete Operating Agreement/Bylaws
- Record Book & Company Seal
- Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
- Ownership Certificates
- IRS Tax ID Number (EIN)
- Business Credit & Funding Evaluation
- Tax Consultation
All of the above from the starter package plus
- Business License Report
- Website Domain
This includes everything from the Executive package plus:
- Business Credit Coach
- Multi-Tiered Credit Building System
- Business Credit LaunchPad
- Dun & Bradstreet Registration
- Express Processing
What options should you go for?
The majority of our readers that sent in their views about Inc Authority either opted for the free package with the bare minimum of additional services or the started package.
Employer identification number (i.e getting Inc Authority to take care of dealings with IRS) plus the operating agreement were the two most popular add-ons to the free package.
If you begin to add too much more in the way of extra services, it definitely makes sense to see if the starter package makes economic sense instead.
Inc Authority Vs the Competition
BEST VALUE INC FILE | BEST PRO PLAN ZEN BUSINESS | BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE NORTHWEST | INC | SWIFT | MY COMPANY WORKS | |
 |  |  |  |  |  | |
PROCESSING TIME | 1 Business Day | 1 Week | 1-3 Business Days | 1-2 Weeks | 1 Week | 1 Week |
REGISTERED AGENT | 1st Year Free, | 1st Year Free, | $125/year | 1st Year Free | $149/year | $99/year |
OPERATING AGREEMENT | $40 Extra | Included | Included | Included | $35 Extra (Free on Mid Plan) | No |
EIN REGISTRY | $70 Extra | Included on Mid (Pro) Plan | No | Included on Mid Plan | $70 Extra | No |
ADVISORY SERVICES | Free 1hr Tax Consultation | No | No | Tax Planning Consultation | 30mins Tax Consultation | Free LLC Handbook |
HOSTING & DOMAIN | Optional: $20p/mo | Included on Top Plan | No | Included on Top Plan | Free Domain | No |
ANNUAL COMPLIANCE | Free Lifetime Annual Alerts | Free Lifetime Annual Alerts | Included with Registered Agents | No | Free Lifetime Annual Alerts | Free Lifetime Annual Alerts |
CPA ASSESSMENT | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
PLAN/PRICES | Basic: $0 | Basic: $49 | $100 + State Fee | Basic: $0 | Basic: $49 | Basic: $79 |
In our recent look at major online LLC formation services, we rated Zen Business highly due to their pro plan, and excellent user interface. For those with the extra budget, they are one of the best companies to use.
IncFile is our top budget choice because just as Inc Authority does, they offer zero filing fees on their basic account. Similarly, a year of free registered agent service is also included. We just preferred the user interface with IncFile and the ease with which you can select additional services.
Northwest Registered Agent scored well on the basis of their hands-on customer service department. We liked how easy it was to get a representative on the line.
Using Inc Authority to help form your LLC
Overall, the experience using Inc Authority is a good one.
The fact that the filing service is free is hard to beat, (although our top pick service for 2019, Inc File has just changed their pricing structure to offer a free package plus filing fee).
Furthermore, you will not be pressured into opting for additional services so that they can start to make money from you.
Inc Authority is transparent with what is on offer with the free package. Essentially, you will be able to form your LLC using this service with no problems at all.
That being said, some of the extras that you can choose to purchase alongside it will make your life much easier.
Who wants to deal with the IRS for instance? Would you have any idea on how to create a legally compliant operating agreement?
If the answer is no, you should seriously think about opting for the relevant add-ons.
Making the order
The ordering process is very simple. This is one of the major benefits that everyone agreed on; the website is clear and easy to use and as we have already said, service options and pricing is completely transparent.
The steps you have to go through to register for the free service are laid out in a manner that makes complete sense.
You simply:
- Add your contact details and business name etc
- Choose from each of the additional services that you want to add-on (an explanation is provided on each. You can easily deselect if you don’t need them)
- Fill in the payment details (for state fee and any additional services)
- Press send!
Customer Service & Support
Many of you expressed a positive reaction to this too. Getting hold of a representative in business hours (Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm PST) was never said to be an issue. The team is also knowledgeable and quick to assist.
There’s an email address and a message form accessible directly from the website and the response times on each is very good indeed.
We also received some very positive feedback about the free tax consultation, with one customer actually stating that their tax liability was significantly decreased as a result.
Essentially, the personalized customer support received for those even on the free package has proved to be excellent.
[This is further backed up by a consensus you’ll find on Trust Pilot]Turnaround Time
No one that sent us details of their experience using Inc Authority actually opted for the express processing.
That being said, general turn around times for Inc Authority to prepare documents and send off the filing amounted to just a couple of days.
(Waiting for the state to process the filing varied widely however due to where and when the filing was made – the longest being 2 weeks!)
Complete Filing
Whether you’ve opted for the bare bones freebie services or the all-inclusive Tycoon package, your finished documents will be sent to you and available digitally via the Inc Authority servers.
This level of convenience really does make them a market leader, especially when you consider that the basic service is free
Pros and Cons of using Inc Authority
- The basic LLC package $0 plus state fee is an amazing deal
- 1 year registered agent services even on the free package
- The ordering process is very easy (intuitive website)
- Add-on & Package prices are completely transparent and easy to compare
- Customer service and support is fast and helpful
- The price of add-ons quickly accumulates
- For comprehensive support, you need to be signed up to the monthly Inc Provider Protection scheme
- The all-inclusive packages are expensive compared to the rest of the market
Bottom Line
For budget-minded individuals looking to form an LLC, it is difficult to fault Inc Authority’s free formation (+ state fees) deal. It is a fast professional service and you even get 1 year’s registered agency included. A definite market leader. However, if you are interested in purchasing extras, the price will quickly add-up until competing services (such as Inc File), maybe a better choice.
