How to Start an LLC in Alaska

Starting an LLC in Alaska Is Easy With These 6 Steps

STEP 1: Name Your Alaska LLC

Choosing a company name is the first and most important step in forming an Alaska LLC. Be sure to choose a name that complies with Alaska naming requirements and is easily searchable by potential clients.

1. Follow the naming guidelines:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
• Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (e.g., FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
• Restricted words (e.g., Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your LLC.

2. Is the name available in Alaska? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search on the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development website.

To learn more about searching for an Alaska LLC name, read our full guide.

3. Is the URL available? We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Now that you have verified your name and secured the URL you may select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you. We recommend using a professional service:

• Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

STEP 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Alaska

You are required to nominate an Alaska registered agent for your LLC.

What is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. Think of your registered agent as your business's point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent? a Registered Agent must be a resident of Alaska or a corporation, such as a registered agent service, authorized to transact business in Alaska. You may elect an individual within the company including yourself.

Recommended: Northwest provides the first year of registered agent service free with LLC formation ($29 + State Fees)

STEP 3: File the Alaska LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Alaska LLC, you will need to file Form 08-484 - Articles of Organization with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. You can apply online, by mail, by fax, or in person.

Now is a good time to determine whether your LLC will be member-managed vs. manager-managed.

You'll also need to know your NAICS Code for LLC number (Alaska requires it).

For help with completing the form, visit our Alaska Articles of Organization guide.

If you’re expanding your existing LLC to the state of Alaska, you will need to form a Foreign LLC.

Alaska NAICS Requirement

When filing the Alaska LLC formation documents you will see that you are required to include your NAICS code. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) consists of 6-digit codes given to a business depending on the type of trade it engages in. You can look up the NAICS code for your type of business by using our NAICS Code Lookup Tool.

STEP 4: Create an Alaska LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required in Alaska, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Alaska LLC operating agreement guide.

STEP 5: Get an Alaska LLC EIN

What is an EIN? EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. EINs are a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help identify businesses for tax purposes. It is essentially a Social Security number for a business.

An EIN is sometimes referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN).

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required to:

• Open a business bank account
• File and manage federal and state taxes
• Hire employees

What if I already have an EIN for my sole proprietorship? The IRS requires that sole proprietorships get a new EIN when converting to an LLC.

Where do I get an EIN? You can get an EIN for free from the IRS. Getting an EIN is an easy process that can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL EIN APPLICANTS: You do not need a SSN to get an EIN. For more information, read our How to Get an EIN as a Foreign Person guide.

STEP 6: File Initial Report and Alaska Business License

After submitting the Articles of Organization, Alaska LLCs must file an initial report with the state within six months of filing. This can be done online or by printing a pre-populated form to submit by mail or by fax. There is no filing fee.

In order to complete the initial report, you will need to know the following information:

• LLC name and Alaska Entity Number
• Registered agent address
• LLC member names and ownership percentage
• NAICS code

Alaska businesses must also obtain an Alaska Business License in order to conduct activity within the state.

You can choose whether to renew this license annually (every year) or biennially (every two years). This can also be done online or by submitting a hard copy renewal form by mail, by fax, or in person. The filing fee is $50 annually and $100 biennially (currently waived indefinitely). 

If your business license has been expired for more than two years, you must reapply for a new license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Steps After Forming an LLC

Separate Your Personal and Business Assets

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your Alaska LLC is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing the corporate veil.

You can start protecting your LLC in Alaska with these steps:

1. Opening a business checking account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Need help finding your EIN for your bank application? Visit our EIN Lookup guide for help.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank, credit union, business-loan friendly banks, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more.

2. Getting a business credit card:

• Helps categorize and separate all business expenses for end-of-year tax purposes.
• Helps build your business credit score — an essential step toward getting a line of credit or business loan in the future. 
• Allows you to keep track of department expenses by issuing multiple cards (with multiple budgets) to your employees.

For a closer look at business credit cards and their benefits, check out our review of the best small business credit cards.

3. Hiring a business accountant:

• Prevents your business from overpaying on taxes while helping you avoid penalties, fines, and other costly tax errors
• Makes bookkeeping and payroll easier, leaving you with more time to focus on your growing business 
• Manages your business funding more effectively, discovering areas of unforeseen loss or extra profit

Recommended: Find out how much you could be saving today by trying our recommended accounting service.

For more business accounting tools, read our guide to the best business accounting software.

Get Business Insurance for Your Alaska LLC

Business insurance helps you manage risks and focus on growing your business. The most common types of business insurance are:

• General Liability Insurance: A broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses get general liability insurance.
• Professional Liability Insurance: A business insurance for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers claims of malpractice and other business errors.
• Workers' Compensation Insurance: A type of insurance that provides coverage for employees’ job-related illnesses, injuries, or deaths. In Alaska, businesses with five or more employees are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance. Note that officers and LLC members are counted as employees.

Read our review of the best small business insurance companies.

Create Your Business Website

Creating a website is an important step in legitimizing your business. Every business needs a website if you want your customers to find you.

Send Out a Press Release

Press releases are among the easiest and best ways to promote your business. They are also one of the most cost-effective strategies as they:

• Provides publicity
• Establish your brand presence on the web
• Improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO), driving more customers to your website
• Are a one-time cost in terms of effort and money
• Have long-lasting benefits

Keep Your Company Compliant

Alaska Business Permits and Licenses

To operate your LLC you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

The details of business licenses and permits vary from state to state. Make sure you read carefully. Don't be surprised if there are short classes required as well.

Fees for business licenses and permits will vary depending on what sort of license you are seeking to obtain.

Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:

• Business License Guide: Use our detailed Alaska Business License guide.
• Federal: Use the US Small Business Administration (SBA) guide.
• State: Visit the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development's Business Licensing website.
• Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.

Alaska LLC Tax Filing Requirements

In order to keep your business in good standing, it's important to stay up to date on your Alaska LLC taxes.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to register for Alaska state tax.

Sales Tax

Alaska is one of five states that does not impose a sales tax on taxable goods or services. Businesses without employees will not be responsible for any state tax in Alaska.

Employer Tax

If you have employees in Alaska, you will need to register for Unemployment Insurance tax through the State of Alaska website. Alaska does not have a state withholding tax.

Federal LLC Tax Filing Requirements

Most LLCs will need to report their income to the IRS each year using:

• Form 1065 Partnership Return (most multi-member LLCs use this form)
• Form 1040 Schedule C (most single-member LLCs use this form)

How you pay yourself as an owner will also affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

File Your Alaska LLC Biennial Report

Alaska requires LLCs to file a biennial report with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. A biennial report typically includes basic information about your business and involves a filing fee.

Avoid Automatic Dissolution

LLCs may face fines and even automatic dissolution when they miss one or more state filings. When this happens, LLC owners risk loss of limited liability protection. A quality registered agent service can help prevent this outcome by notifying you of upcoming filing deadlines and by submitting reports on your behalf.

Hiring Employees

If you plan to hire employees, stay compliant with the law by following these steps:

• Verify that new employees are able to work in the US
• Report employees as "new hires" to the state
• Provide workers' compensation insurance for employees
• Withhold employee taxes
• Print workplace compliance posters and place them in visible areas of your workspace

For more information check out the Alaska Child Support Services Division guide for new employee hires. 

Small Business Resources

Get Help Starting a Business in Alaska

We understand that creating an LLC and getting your business up and running comes with many challenges. To help you succeed, we compiled the best local resources in every major metro area in Alaska. You can get free assistance in the following areas:

Anchorage | Fairbanks | Juneau

State of Alaska Quick Links

• Alaska Department of Commerce, Community,and Economic Development
• Alaska LLC Statutes
• Understanding Alaska LLC Laws
• Alaska LLC Annual Report
• Best Registered Agent Service in Alaska

More Alaska LLC Information

Alaska Foreign LLCs

Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. If you have an existing LLC and want to do business in Alaska, you will need to register as a foreign LLC. This can be done online, by mail, by fax, or in person.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing in Alaska

A Certificate of Good Standing, known in Alaska as a Certificate of Compliance, verifies that your LLC was legally formed and has been properly maintained. Several instances where you might need to get one include:

• Seeking funding from banks or other lenders
• Forming your business as a foreign LLC in another state
• Obtaining or renewing specific business licenses or permits

You can order an Alaska Certificate of Compliance online.

How to Dissolve an LLC in Alaska

If at any point in the future you no longer wish to conduct business with your LLC, it is important to officially dissolve it. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities and penalties, or even legal trouble. To dissolve your LLC, there are three broad steps:

• Follow your LLC operating agreement
• Close your business tax accounts
• File the Alaska Articles of Dissolution

When you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Alaska LLC Dissolution Guide.