I used Inc Authority to form my LLC last year because the basic formation was free. Now they keep calling me about their extra services, registered agent, compliance, website, bookkeeping, etc. The prices seem high compared to what I've seen elsewhere. Has anyone here actually paid for any of these add-ons? Did you find them worthwhile or did you handle things independently? I'm trying to figure out if I should just stick with the free formation and ignore the upsells.
LLC Setup
Are Inc Authority's extra services worth paying for?
I only used them for the free LLC formation.The upsells were relentless but I just saaid no. I think the registered agent service is around $119 a year, which is on the higher side. You can find cheaper or even free options depending on your state. I'd skip the extras unless you really need hand-holding.
The compliance service tjey push is basically just reminders to file your annual report. You can set a calendar reminder for free. Not worth paying for in my opinion.
I actually paid for their registered agent service for the first year because I didn't know any better. It worked fine, but but I switched to a cheaper provider after that. The service itself was okay, just overpriced.
What state are you in? That might affect whether you even need a registered agent service. In some states you can be your own registered agent if you have a physical address there. If you're not comfortable with that, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives.
I wouldn't pay for their website or bookkeeping. You can get a decent website through Squarespace or Wix for less, and bookkeeping can be done with QuickBooks or even a local accountant for a better rate. Inc Authority's extras are convenient but pricey.
I got the free formation and then they tried to sell me a business license service for like $99. I looked it up and my city only charges $25 for the same thing. So yeah, definitely check your local requirements before buying their add-ons.
To be fair, the convenience of having everything in one place might be worth it for some people. If you're busy running a business, spending a few extra bucks to not have to think about compliance might be okay. But for me, I'd rather save the money and do it myself.
I've heard their customer service can be hard to reach when you need help. That's another reason I'd be cautious about paying for ongoing services.
I used their registered agent service for two years. It was fine, no complaints, but I eventually switched to a local company that charges $50 a year. I'd recommend shopping around.
Does anyone know if their bookkeeping service includes tax filing? I couldn't find that info on their site.
I don't think it does. I believe it's just monthlyy bookkeeping, not tax prep. You'd need to hire a CPA separately for taxes.
Honestly, the free formation is the only thing worth getting from them. Just use it and ignore the rest. That's what I did and I've been fine.