An anonymous LLC operates similarly to regular LLCs; however, its owners’ identities are kept out of public records in order to reduce harassment and stalking as well as safeguard members’ personal assets from creditors or predatory attorneys.
Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming all allow businesses and investors to form anonymous LLCs; each offers specific advantages for small businesses, cost-conscious investors and privacy-seeking individuals.
Delaware
Delaware is a top choice among business owners due to its longstanding pro-business corporate law, minimal filing fees, low taxes and court system that is adept in handling complex business issues. Furthermore, LLC members enjoy complete anonymity.
State laws designed to promote business are regularly reviewed in consultation with practicing corporate attorneys in order to stay on the forefront of legal development, which has ensured the state remains an attractive location for companies of any industry or size. This commitment to innovation has helped build its renown as an ideal location.
As part of establishing an anonymous LLC in Delaware, you must register it with its Division of Corporations. Filing online through their Document Upload Service or downloading, filling and mailing in a Certificate of Formation form are two options available to you – but be sure to include a cover memo with either option!
Wyoming
Wyoming stands out as an attractive tax environment for anonymous LLCs with no corporate income tax and low filing fees and annual reports, making it ideal for small businesses and cost-conscious investors.
New Mexico provides both privacy and liability protection in an easy-to-access jurisdiction. Though registration of owners will be necessary, this shouldn’t be too burdensome an administrative process.
Delaware, Nevada and Wyoming do not require ownership information to be filed publicly; however they still require a registered agent who receives legal notices, summonses, subpoenas and government correspondence for your business.
Hiring a registered agent that you can rely on and trust is of great importance. Their knowledge of Wyoming’s privacy laws should allow them to fulfill their duties quickly, with confidentiality of records in mind.
New Mexico
New Mexico is one of the few states that allows anonymous limited liability companies (LLCs) to register, offering both anonymity and other potential advantages to those looking to form these types of entities.
LLCs in New Mexico can be used to shield personal assets from creditors and protect them from lawsuits, while being taxed as “pass-through” entities – meaning the LLC pays its own taxes while its members report profits on individual income tax returns.
However, these advantages come at a price. Other states such as Delaware and Wyoming provide anonymous LLCs at much more reasonable upfront costs.
New Mexico LLCs may be formed anonymously by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and paying any applicable filing fees. No other forms are needed nor need the owners be listed publicly.
Costs
If you are an individual or professional in search of asset protection and privacy, an anonymous LLC may be your ideal solution. States which permit this form of entity include Delaware, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Anonymous LLC states enable businesses to protect the identity and avoid personal liability of company members while protecting them from becoming personally liable for business debts. They can also assist in discouraging unwelcome third-parties from filing frivolous lawsuits or sending unwanted spam marketing mail.
Forming an anonymous LLC may spare you of some of the hassles and costs of setting up a regular LLC, but there are still expenses you should be wary of. Some states impose exorbitant formation and annual report fees — for instance Massachusetts charges over $500 annually!
