As an incorporation service provider, Incfile is known to be one of the most popular in the industry, helping thousands of clients form their own business entities. Its biggest USP is it does not charge any money for incorporation and offers free registered agent for the first year. The question now is, if there is any catch or should we pick it over others?
I keep these five factors in mind while rating an online incorporation service
- Reputation of the brand
- Affordability
- Customer Support
- Turn around time.
- Transparency in Pricing
Pricing: $99/year
Who Should Use It: If you need a basic reliable registered agent service with a free first year, Incfile is a good choice.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing. Plans start from $99/year. Offers free registered agent service with its incorporation service
- Convenient online dashboard for documents
- Offers business formation services
- It is a public benefit corporation.
- BBB accredited (A-) and positive word of mouth on internet communities.
Cons:
- Does not forward mails.
- No pro-rated refunds.
- Limited and expensive add-ons.
With that said, check out this in-depth review of Incfile and learn everything you need to know about this online incorporation service.
Incfile Review: An In-Depth Look
Established in 2004, Incfile quickly established a name for itself as one of the best incorporation services online. In fact, they are now comparable to big names such as LegalZoom.
Since their establishment, they have helped hundreds of thousands of clients form their business entities, allowing them to enjoy their company’s further growth while limiting the risk to their personal assets.
Check out the following aspects of service that makes them one of the best in the industry.
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Pricing and Value for Money
With their comprehensive packages for incorporation services, Incfile provides some of the best price points in the market that give their clients the best value for their money. Prices for their basic Silver package is available at $0 plus the state fee which adjusts accordingly, depending on the state in which you’re forming your corporation.
They even throw in a full year of service of a registered agent, after which you’ll have to renew at a rate of $119 annually. This gives their clients the best bang for their buck. If you’re looking for more features, you can avail of their other pricier packages like the Gold and Platinum plans.
Don’t fret about the additional fee though, as they ensure that every penny spent is worth it. for the additional fee, you can avail of features like banking resolutions, business tax consultations, and EIN business tax numbers. You can even enjoy expedited filing with their Platinum plan.
Overall, Incfile provides their clients with comprehensive features at affordable price points, allowing them to maximize their services and ensure that their incorporation goes as smoothly as possible.
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How Trustworthy is Incfile?
Although it was only established in 2004, Incfile has managed to solidify its reputation as one of the best by helping thousands and thousands of businesses in the country with their incorporation process.
In fact, they garner mostly positive reviews from their clients, unlike their competitors whose reviews tend to be more mixed. Overall, they have a good track record in terms of their services and outdoes many of their competitors in the market.
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Customer Service
If you have any concerns or questions, Incfile provides their clients with two methods to reach them – via phone and email support. While they are quick to answer through both methods, you will likely receive a more in-depth answer when you contact them via email. Regardless, they generally do well with both customer support methods, answering quickly and satisfactorily. But, a lot of users complain about poor customer support on platform such as Yelp.
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Ordering Process
Incfile provides a smooth and easy-to-navigate way to order their services. You start by choosing the kind of entity you wish to form such as an LLC or non-profit. Then, you need to choose in which state you’re forming your business entity.
This gives you an overview of the available packages for you and the fees for each one. Aside from this, they even offer comprehensive explanations for each service, allowing potential clients to understand just what they’re getting from the package.
You can even opt to add several services not included in your chosen package – for an additional fee, of course. This allows you to personalize your order based on your business’s specific needs.
Overall, Incfile’s ordering system is generally convenient and easy to understand. They’re transparent with every detail, ensuring that you don’t experience any surprise fees with their services.
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Turnaround Time
Their turnaround times are based on the state of formation and can vary from 3 to 6 weeks. Nevertheless, depending on your state of formation, you can also avail of their expedited processing (1-2 Business days) for an additional fee $50-$75. However, if you’re a Platinum plan subscriber, you will get this as part of your availed package.
You may check the full list here.
With their consistently fast turnaround times regardless of what plan you have and realistic waiting times, Incfile offers an edge over their competitors that make them one of the best.
Incfile Packages: Pricing and Features
Incfile offers their clients three service plans – the Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. The base fee for each plan is standard, but the final one-time fee you have to pay will depend on the fee required by the state of formation.
This section will go more in-depth about the different packages Incfile offers and the general features you can get from each plan tier as well as the pricing.
Silver Plan $0+ State Fees
Turnaround time 3 to 6 weeks depending on state
Incfile’s Silver package is considered the most economical option, offering their core features at an affordable price point. In fact, the base fee of the package is $0 (competitors charge $50 to 150 for this service)- you just have to pay the state fee which varies from state to state. For example, if you’re incorporating in the state of Colorado, you’ll only have to pay the state fee of $50 while in California, it’s $75.
In this package, you’ll get the following features:
- Preparation and Filing of the Articles of Organization
As every LLC must have their Articles of Organization, Incfile makes the process easier for their clients by handling this aspect of the process. They will prepare the required documents and submit them to the state of formation.
- Registered Agent Services
They also include a full year of registered agent services in all their packages, after which you can renew for an annual fee of $119. Aside from being a requirement, this can protect your newly established business entity by limiting the personal information third parties can access.
- Unlimited Number of Searches for Name Availability
With their basic package, you get an unlimited number of searches for your chosen business name. This ensures that whatever name you choose, it will be unique to your business.
- Certificate of Good Standing
Issued by the state of formation, this document certifies that the formed LLC complies with all the requirements set by the state starting from the date indicated on the document. This comes with their Silver plan and can be helpful when establishing your company such as when opening a bank account.
- Statement & Resignation of the Organizer
Another feature included in their base plan is the Statement and Resignation of the Organizer. This document is important when establishing a business checking account as this identifies the primary members of the LLC and relinquishes control over to them.
- Online Tracking of Order Status
Incfile also gives their clients a convenient way to track their orders online. Since the state processing time for businesses can vary from state to state, this allows you to get a clearer view of just how long before your business is incorporated.
- Electronic Delivery and Online Access to All Incorporation Documents
When everything’s done, Incfile delivers their clients’ incorporation documents electronically. Plus,to make it easier for their clients to access their incorporation documents, Incfile consolidates everything online, allowing you to access your files whenever you want, wherever you are.
- Next-Day Processing
What’s great about Incfile is that they prepare and process your order within 1 business day upon receipt, regardless of your plan tier. As such, you can expect your business to be incorporated more quickly.
Should I Buy IncFile Silver Plan?
Silver plan does not include operating agreement and registration for EIN. If you can do these two things yourself, you may choose silver plan at get incorporated at zero cost (apart from state fees).
Gold Plan $199+State Fees
Turnaround time: 3 to 6 weeks depending on state
Their Gold plan is the next package Incfile has to offer their clients. Unlike their core plan, this package comes at a base fee of $149 plus the fees required by the state of formation. While it’s definitely pricier than the core plan, it does come with additional features that make it worth your money.
Aside from including everything available in the Silver plan, their Gold package has several additional features such as:
- Employer Identification Number/Business Tax ID
As a separate legal entity, your business will need its own EIN Tax ID if you want to open a bank account for it. It’s also required for filing business tax returns. In their Gold package, Incfile already includes this, applying for and obtaining your EIN from the IRS on your business’s behalf.
This makes it quick, easy, and more convenient for you and is considered the fastest way to obtain your EIN. Silver plan holders can avail of this feature by adding another $70 to the final fee.
- Operating Agreement
Another added feature you get when you avail of the Gold plan is the Operating Agreement. This is considered the most important document for an LLC as this establishes the framework of your entire business. It details the rights, ownership, and responsibilities of each member.
Incfile’s provided operating agreement, not only covers the basic provisions but also includes custom-tailored provisions based on your company’s information. Silver plan members can add this to their package for an additional $40.
- Banking Resolution
Gold-tier members also have banking resolutions included in their package. This enables LLC members to open a company bank account as well as highlights who among them holds the signature authority for the said bank account. Silver members can avail of this feature at an additional fee of $35.
For only $149 + state fees, business owners such as yourself can enjoy these additional features which can be costlier when availed of as add-ons to the Silver plan. Overall, the Gold package is perfect for business owners who want to incorporate their business while receiving custom documents as well as an EIN for their company.
- Preparation & Filing of the IRS Form 2553
This allows your LLC to be treated as and therefore, taxed as an S-Corp which can save you and your company thousands of dollars in taxes. You can consult with their tax specialist during the 30-minute included consultation session if this is the right move for your specific LLC.
Regardless of what you decide, Incfile offers this option for Gold-tier subscribers and can be accessed directly from their dashboards. Take note, however, that it’s time-sensitive and should be filed with the state of formation within 75 days of filing your incorporation. Silver plan subscribers can opt to add this feature for another $50.
- Consultation for Business Tax
They also include a 30-minute, obligation-free consultation with a qualified tax professional in this plan. This allows you to ask any questions you may have regarding business taxes.
- Lifetime Alerts and Notifications
If you’re the forgetful type, this feature can be very helpful. Incfile provides their clients, regardless of plan type, lifetime company alerts that inform them whenever important dates are already nearing. For example, it alerts you to compulsory filings for the state like your business licenses, annual reports, and statements of information. The aforementioned features are the ones available for their Silver package. Not bad for a price that consists only of the state fees. This is perfect for those who want to start their own company and don’t need the added features.
- Unlimited Customer Support
Should you encounter any issues or have any concerns with their services, Incfile provides two methods through which their clients can contact them. As a Silver plan subscriber, you’re entitled to availing of their unlimited customer support services. Regardless, they offer other, more premium features as well which can be added to the Silver plan for an additional fee, of course. Because of this, you can customize your plan according to your business’s specific needs.
Should I Buy IncFile Gold Plan?
If you are not confident about registration for EIN, operating agreement or banking resolution, Incfile Gold plan will be a good choice.
Platinum Plan $299+ State Fees
Turnaround time: 1 to 2 Business Days (Expedited)
Lastly, Incfile offers a Platinum plan that includes everything that the Silver and Gold packages have to offer plus some other additional features.
It costs the most among the three plans, with a base fee of $299 plus state fees which vary from state to state. However, despite its higher price tag, it offers the most features among all their plan offerings.
Aside from what the Silver and Gold packages have to offer, additional features for this plan tier include:
- Expedited Filing
If you want to speed up the process of incorporating your business, Incfile offers expedited filing for their clients. While Silver and Gold plan members can avail of this for an additional cost that depends on the state of formation, it comes included in the Platinum plan.
This is especially helpful for businesses whose state of formation have longer processing times. It should be noted though that the expedited filing will vary from state to state.
For example, in California, the standard processing time is 3 weeks, and expediting the process would shorten it to 3 business days. On the other hand, in Illinois, you can expect your processing time to be shortened to 1 business day with expedited filing.
The Platinum package can give the best bang for the buck for business owners who want the fastest time possible for their company’s incorporation as well as a website and email service, and all the documents needed for their company’s smooth operation.
- Templates for Business Contracts
Incorporating your business is just the first step – you also need to ensure that your newly established company is legally protected through legal documents and contracts specified for business purposes. However, hiring a separate lawyer to draft these documents can be costly.
Incfile helps their Platinum plan subscribers in this aspect by giving them access to more than 25 high-quality templates that will help them become legally protected. Each one was drafted by a qualified business attorney, ensuring their quality and accuracy.
These templates are also available as add-ons to both the Silver and Gold plans but come at an additional fee of $150.
- Website Domain Name and Email
One feature that’s exclusive to Platinum package members is the free website domain name and email service Incfile provides for a full year. A solid online presence is vital to any business and having your own domain name and email service can make your business appear more professional and official.
After this year-long service, Incfile asks their clients whether they would like to continue the service for a fee or cancel it altogether. Since this is exclusive to Platinum subscribers, neither Silver nor Gold plan members can avail of this service – even for an additional fee.
Should I buy Incfile Platinum plan?
Expedited Filing, Business Contract Templates and Domain Name + Business Email are exclusive to platinum plan. We do not think $100 extra worth the money unless you are really in a hurry. We strongly recommend to use separate G suite for domain name and email rather than relying on third party service bought through Incfile.
Common Questions About Incfile
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What are their biggest advantages?
One of their biggest advantages is their competitive pricing that gives the best value for money. You get all those comprehensive features while paying only the state fees. Should you need more features, they also offer them in their higher plans.
Another would be their great track record in the industry. They garner more positive feedback than negative ones – something that can only mean good for potential clients.
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What are their disadvantages?
There’s not much to disadvantages since as mentioned, they tend to receive more positive reviews than negative in terms of their overall service.
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Which plan is right for my business?
That ultimately depends on what you need as a business owner. While their Silver plan would suffice for the most basic features, you can still avail of their costlier plans should you need additional features like expedited filing and EIN. Nevertheless, it’s still ultimately up to your specific business needs.
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Will they help with compliance requirements?
Yes, they will. This is available with their Registered Agent Service that’s included in all plans for 1 year. They also offer an annual report service for $88 along with the required state fees.
Final Thoughts
As an incorporation service provider, Incfile offers competitive pricing for its comprehensive features that’s hard to find elsewhere. Additionally, in terms of customer service, track record, ordering process, and others, they are definitely one of the best in the industry for a reason. In fact, the overall positive feedback they get from satisfied clients can attest to this.
While there are other incorporation services in the industry, Incfile does a pretty good job staying on top despite the competition. Because of this, you can never go wrong when availing of their services. If you want to check our top 5 list, check this guide.
