New Jersey Business Filing Tips
What to Know Before Forming a Business in New Jersey
Starting a company isn’t exactly intuitive, but our filing tips will help you navigate the murky waters of the state filing system with ease. We’ll cover:
There’s a lot to figure out when you’re forming a business for the first time, but it gets easier the more companies you form. (Trust us!)
We’ve helped hundreds of businesses get off the ground, and we can start yours in no time.
If You Only Want One Tip…
Hire us!
When we’re your New Jersey registered agent, you’ll get an online account with access to all the tools you’ll need form and maintain your business.
This includes:
- Business Formation Service
- DBA and Trade Marks
- Compliance Service
- Mail Forwarding & Virtual Office
- Online Business Presence
- And more!
Business Registration
All LLCs and corporations operating in the state of New Jersey must be registered with the NJ Department of the Treasury. This applies to both “domestic” (in-state) and “foreign” (out-of-state) companies. (See our Foreign LLC and Foreign Corporation pages for more on out-of-state registration.)
Tip #1
State Department – Unlike other states, New Jersey doesn’t have a Secretary of State Department that handles business filings. We just have a business registrations division under the NJ Department of the Treasury. It’s called the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, and is sometimes referred to as DORES.
Tip #2
Online Filing – New Jersey’s Online Business Formation Service provides a streamlined location to complete the business formation process. Visit New Jersey’s Online Business Formation page to get started.
Tip #3
Business ID – When you register to create a new business entity, you will be assigned a 10-digit Business Identification Number that will appear on all pre-printed forms you receive from DORES. Keep this number! You’ll need it for your annual report and other state filings you may need to make in the future.
Tip #4
Name – Before you file, make sure you choose a business name that’s different from every other name on the public record (NJ Rev Stat § 42:2C-8). If you’re name’s too similar to an existing business name, your application will be denied. It’s a good idea to conduct a Business Name Search before you settle on your name.
Tax Filing
After you make your initial New Jersey business filing, you’ll have to file your tax/employer registration with DORES.
Tip #1
Registration – To register with the state for tax purposes, you’ll have to file form NJ-REG online. The tax registration doesn’t cost anything… except your time. This form will help connect your business with the state agencies you’ll need to register with in order to do business in NJ.
Tip #2
S corporation – If you want to register your company as an S corporation for tax purposes, you’ll have to do this at both the federal and state level. While most states automatically recognize your new tax status after you elect S-corp status with the IRS, New Jersey does NOT. You’ll have to elect S Corporation status with the NJ Division of Taxation (or apply with Form CBT-2553).
Registered Agent
All LLCs and corporations in New Jersey must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This agent must be available during normal business hours and be able to receive legal and tax documents. Here’s what you should consider:
Tip #1
Reliability – You’ll need a registered agent you can depend on. This person or entity is responsible for handling important documents, including lawsuits. If your company gets sued (it happens), you wouldn’t want to ignore a legal summons, or neglect to respond because you never received it. Your registered agent is key to making sure your business is responsive to legal matters.
Tip #2
Efficiency – It’s very important to have a NJ registered agent that will quickly and efficiently get your documents to you. We scan all your service of process to your account the day we receive it. Plus, we truly try to make the experience of running a business in NJ a little easier by providing you with a secure online account, a single place in which to view all your corporate documents.
What You Get with Every Order
Every order includes instant access to your online client portal. Your client portal is your one-stop-shop for managing all New Jersey business filings, as well as your service of process and business mail. You can log in anytime and order additional business filings, such as amendments, change of address, foreign registrations, new formations, EIN, and more.
All of the documents that we receive on behalf of your business are scanned into your client portal for your viewing. These documents are stored in your account as long as you are our client. You can log in and view your documents at any time.