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Best Detailed Comparison Article 2023

Tal S.
Tal S.
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Updated on: August 2025
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How to Choose a LLC Service: Guides and Tips

While you can file you LLC in any state you wish, bear in mind the extra fees and paperwork required when you file an LLC outside the state that you do business. Even if you are a freelance writer with clients around the world, you are going to be taxed in the place where you are doing business.

Even if you travel a lot, pick a state where you live or have the most connection – where you own a house, where you have your driver’s license, or where you pay your state taxes. Check out our complete step-by-step guide on how to start your LLC. Our guide includes a guide on how to start an LLC in every state.

Domestic LLC vs. Foreign LLC

A domestic LLC means you register your LLC in your state of residence and you do business mainly in that state. This is the most common and cost-effective scenario.

A foreign LLC is used when you have registered your LLC in one state, and you have a physical facility or storefront in another state. In order to do business in that second state, you need to file a foreign LLC. Foreign LLCs tend to cost more and require a registered agent service.

Conversely, if you file for an LLC in another state for some reason, and you do business in your home state, you will have to file a foreign LLC in your home state in order to do business there.

Does my LLC have to be registered in the state I live in?

No, but that is most often the clear choice. If you do business in one state or have a physical address or store, filing in the state you reside in has advantages. Filing out of state requires a registered agent as well as filing as a “foreign LLC” for each state you do business in. It often saves a lot of money to file in your state of residence. However, if you do not have a physical facility or storefront or are planning on conducting most of your business out of state, you can explore filing an LLC in another state.

Tax implications

Taxes are paid where money is made. It doesn’t matter if you file in Delaware and do business in Nebraska, taxes will need to be paid in Nebraska. You also still need to pay fees in Delaware, as that is where you originally filed paperwork. Filing in more than one state makes things a little trickier. A registered agent represents your interests in other states and helps keep all of the filings up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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