Connecticut LLC

Connecticut formation at a glance

Key fees, timing, and compliance rules for forming a limited liability company in Connecticut with the Connecticut Secretary of the State.

How to form an LLC in Connecticut

There are seven steps. File Articles of Organization with the Connecticut Secretary of the State, pay the $120 state fee, and appoint a statutory agent with a physical CT address. Most filings finish in 3-5 business days.

1. 1

   Step 1: Choose a compliant name

   • Your name must include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company".
   • It must be unique on Connecticut Secretary of the State records.
   • Search before you file.
   • Words like "bank" may need approval.
   • ClearFormation runs a name check before we submit your Articles.
2. 2

   Step 2: Appoint a statutory agent

   • Connecticut requires an in-state contact with a physical CT street address.
   • They must accept lawsuits and state mail during business hours.
   • Most founders use a commercial agent for privacy.
   • ClearFormation includes agent service in all 50 states.
3. 3

   Step 3: File Articles of Organization

   • File with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and pay $120.
   • Processing is usually 3-5 business days.
   • You will list your name, agent, principal address, and management type.
   • ClearFormation prepares and files online for you.
4. 4

   Step 4: Create an operating agreement

   • Not legally required in Connecticut, but every company should have one.
   • It sets ownership, voting, and profit splits.
   • Banks often ask for it.
   • Included with ClearFormation.
5. 5

   Step 5: Apply for an EIN

   • You need an EIN to open a US bank account, hire staff, and file federal taxes.
   • The IRS issues EINs for free.
   • ClearFormation can file Form SS-4 for you — including for non-US founders without an SSN.
6. 6

   Step 6: Get the licenses and permits your business needs

   • State approval does not replace city, county, or professional licenses.
   • Check local Connecticut rules for your industry.
   • Contractors, restaurants, and healthcare often need extra permits.
7. 7

   Step 7: File annual reports and stay compliant

   • Connecticut requires the Annual Report ($80), due March 31.
   • Business Entity Tax repealed;
   • PE tax may apply.
   • ClearFormation tracks deadlines and pre-fills your report.

Fees and ongoing requirements in Connecticut

Forming in Connecticut has three cost layers: the one-time state filing fee, ongoing state compliance (the annual report and any franchise tax), and federal-level requirements like an EIN.

One-time formation cost

The state filing fee is $120, paid to the Connecticut Secretary of the State when you submit your Articles of Organization. You'll also want an operating agreement to define ownership and management — included with every ClearFormation plan.

Ongoing compliance costs in Connecticut

The Annual Report is $80, due March 31. Business Entity Tax repealed; PE tax may apply. LLCs are pass-through by default, so profits flow to your personal federal return unless you elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation.

What's included with ClearFormation

Connecticut registered agent service is bundled into every formation plan — no separate annual RA fee. EIN filing is available as an optional add-on (we can file it for non-US founders without an SSN). An operating agreement template is included so you have the governance paperwork banks and partners expect from day one.

Fees reviewed against Connecticut Secretary of the State (last reviewed June 2026).

Next steps after formation in Connecticut

Getting the stamped Articles of Organization back from the Connecticut Secretary of the State is the legal birth of the company — but it's only step one. The next 30 days are where most founders cut corners and create problems that surface at tax time or when a bank asks for paperwork. Here's the order we recommend for your new CT company.

1. Adopt an operating agreement

The operating agreement is your internal rulebook: ownership, voting, profit splits, and buyout rules.

• Not required in Connecticut, but every company should have one.
• Banks routinely ask for it when you open a business account.
• ClearFormation includes a template with every formation.

2. Get your EIN and open a business bank account

Apply for a federal tax ID, then open a dedicated checking account. Commingling personal and business funds weakens your liability shield.

• Bring stamped articles, EIN letter, operating agreement, and ID.
• EIN filing is available as an optional add-on through ClearFormation.

3. Lock in tax and compliance calendars

• Federal: Schedule C (single-member) or Form 1065 + K-1s (multi-member).
• State: Annual Report ($80), due March 31.
• Business Entity Tax repealed; PE tax may apply
• S-corp election: IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of formation if desired.

4. BOI report — only if foreign-formed

Domestic US entities are exempt from FinCEN BOI reporting after March 2025. A Connecticut-formed company does not file. Foreign entities registering in the US still must file within 30 days.

Connecticut Business Resources

Official CT filings go through the Connecticut Secretary of the State. Use these starting points when you verify fees, search entity names, or check good standing before banking or contracting.

• Connecticut Secretary of the State — file Articles of Organization, amendments, and annual report filings.
• Entity name search — confirm your business name is available before filing ($120 state fee is non-refundable on rejected names).
• Statutory agent in Connecticut — required on every formation and foreign qualification filing.
• Form a C-Corp in Connecticut — if you are raising venture capital instead of using this structure.

Common formation mistakes in Connecticut

• Skipping the operating agreement. Banks and courts expect written governance. Included with ClearFormation.
• Mixing personal and business funds. Weakens your liability shield.
• Missing the annual report. Can cost you good standing or trigger administrative dissolution.
• Acting as your own registered agent while traveling. Use a commercial CT registered agent.

LLC vs C-Corp in Connecticut: which should you form?

Most Connecticut founders ask this exact question. Both entities give you the same personal-liability shield. The real differences are taxes, ownership, and the kind of capital you can raise.

Form an LLC in Connecticut if

• • You're owner-operated or have a small group of founders and want pass-through tax (no corporate-level tax).
• • You don't plan to raise from US institutional venture capital.
• • You want minimal ongoing paperwork — no required board meetings, no shareholder formalities.
• • You're a consulting business, ecommerce store, agency, real-estate holding company, or freelancer.

Form a C-Corp in Connecticut if

• • You plan to raise from venture capital, angels via SAFEs, or eventually go public.
• • You want to issue stock options to employees (an ISO plan requires a C-Corp).
• • You need multiple share classes (preferred for investors, common for founders).
• • You're targeting a strategic acquisition where the acquirer expects a clean cap table.