24/7 Access to Online Corporate Status Center

With BizFilings' password-protected Online Corporate Status Center you have secure, 24/7 access to your account. The Status Center allows you to track the status of your order and download a copy of your state-approved formation document(s). Additionally, if you order the Standard or Complete Packages, the Status Center allows you to track the shipments of your approved formation document(s) as well as your company�s kit and seal.

If you select BizFilings to serve as your registered agent, you can use the Status Center to access your company's registered agent account, including any service of process document(s) BizFilings receives on behalf of your company. Also, as a registered agent client, you gain access to BizComply, a compliance program created to assist you in managing your company�s compliance requirements.

Preliminary Name Check with State

When placing your business formation order, we ask that you provide two name choices for your company. We conduct a preliminary name check in the state where you wish to form your business. If the first name choice provided appears to be available at the preliminary level, we will continue to prepare and file your formation document(s) with the state using that name choice. If the first name choice is not available, we will check the availability of the second name you supply and continue processing with that name choice if it is available. If neither name choice is available, a member of our customer service team will contact you for additional name choices.

Please note this is a preliminary name check final approval of your desired name is granted by the proper state authority upon submission of your formation document(s) to the requested state of formation.

Six Months Free Registered Agent Service (Including BizComply)

Most states require nonprofit corporations to have a registered agent in the state where the business is formed. The registered agent is responsible for receiving important legal and tax documents including notice of litigation (service of process), franchise tax forms and annual report forms. The registered agent must have a physical address in the state of formation and must be available during normal business hours.

BizFilings offers registered agent service in all 50 states. Select BizFilings to serve as registered agent for your nonprofit and receive the first six months of service free. The annual fee thereafter is only $129.

BizComply - Online Compliance Tool
As a BizFilings registered agent client, you receive free access to BizComply - an online compliance tool created to assist you with maintaining the state-imposed requirements and regulations often overlooked after the company formation process is complete.

Expedited Processing Service

BizFilings prioritizes your order over non-expedited orders. All standard expediting services offered by the state in which you are filing are utilized by BizFilings (state-level expediting fees may apply). Documents are exchanged with the state using same-day and overnight delivery methods. When the process is complete, BizFilings delivers documents to you using overnight delivery. Only our RUSH service (an add-on available in 18 states) completes the process faster.

Tax ID (SS-4) Form Preparation

After your formation document(s) have been filed with the state, BizFilings partially prepares IRS Form SS-4, including instructions on how to complete this form and sends this document to you, along with your company�s state-approved formation document(s). Use the completed and signed SS-4 form to apply for your Federal Tax ID Number (also called Employer Identification Number or EIN) with the IRS using the instructions provided by BizFilings.

Book: Managing a Nonprofit: How to Write Winning Grant Proposals, Work with a Board, and Build a Fundraising Program (NPs only)

With this book, you'll gain all the tools you need to navigate the nonprofit world - from fundraising and marketing, to working with corporate donors, to the unique legal and tax issues involved in running a nonprofit agency. Written by John Riddle and Tere Drenth

State Tax ID Form

Some states require companies to obtain a State Tax ID. After formation document(s) have been filed with the state and a Federal Tax ID (EIN) had been obtained, BizFilings completes applicable portions of the State Tax ID form. The customized State Tax ID form is delivered in the final packet with a prepaid envelope and state-specific instructions for completing remaining portions of the form. This service is available in Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Vermont, Nevada and Virginia.

Tax ID (EIN) Number Obtainment Upgrade

Once your business formation is approved by the state, BizFilings can obtain your company�s Tax ID (EIN) Number from the IRS. The typical turn-around time for this service is 4 - 5 business days after we receive the required signature.

In order to obtain the EIN for your business, you must provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have an SSN you must obtain an ITIN from the IRS prior to being able to apply for the EIN for your business. To obtain an ITIN from the IRS, you must complete IRS Form W-7 and mail it to the IRS. BizFilings does not assist with the preparation of Form W-7 or the obtainment of the ITIN.

BizFilings will accept the signature required to obtain your EIN electronically. On the order form, you will be asked to grant BizFilings permission to file the EIN application with the IRS. Granting this permission will allow BizFilings the ability to process your EIN application quickly and more efficiently than the alternative of mailing you the application form for signature.

Certified Copy of Formation Document

BizFilings will obtain a Certified Copy of your company�s articles of incorporation. The Certified Copy is an additional document issued by the state of formation, which further authenticates the original formation document(s). Small business owners often need this document to open a bank account.

Overnight Shipping of Formation Document(s)

BizFilings will ship your company�s state-approved formation document(s) using FedEx Overnight. In cases where the Certified Copy document is not included with the state-approved formation document(s), BizFilings will ship the Certified Copy via FedEx Overnight. In some states, the Certified Copy can be shipped up to two weeks after the actual formation document(s).

BizFilings' Ultimate Business Planner

BizFilings' Ultimate Business Planner guides you through each business-planning step quickly and easily. Developed for entrepreneurs by small-business experts and small-business owners, Ultimate Business Planner simplifies the process of writing a business plan and gives you expert advice, tips, and hints based on proven business practices. Its easy-to-use, step-by-step approach breaks down the process of writing a business plan into two main sections -- forecasting your financials and writing your plan.