I formed my LLC last year through one of those online filing services. I assumed the registered agent part was part of the package , you know, the whole 'we handle everything' pitch. Now I'm getting a $119 bill for the agent service and apparently it was only a free trial. Did I mess up or is this normal? Also what happens if I just ignore it?
LLC
I thought registered agent service was included in the price
Yeah that's a classic. The free trial registered agent thing is how a lot of those formation sites make their money. Read the fine print next time I guess.
Not normal to just ignore it. If you dont have a registered agent your LLC can get administratively dissolved in some states. Don't treat it like a junk fee.
How much did you pay up front? If it was like $50 for the whole formation then yeah the agent was always going to be extra. Those ads are sneaky.
Adding to my own comment before soeone jumps on me — you might be able to be your own registered agent if your address is in the state and you're okay with your address being public. That's free but not always a great idea.
wait you can be your own?? I paid $150 a year for like 4 years for no reason then
Up front was around $70 I think. And no, I did not read anything. I clicked through in like five minutes at midnight.
The $119 is honestly on the lower end. Some of them charge $300. And the trial auto-converts so if you don't cancel before renewal they got you. Check if they already charged you — sometimes the 'bill' is just the renewal notice before the actual charge.
This is why I use a local agent. Costs a little More but I can call and talk to a human when something weird happens. Those national services have zero customer service.
The auto-renewal is the part that gets people.It's not even a surprise bill, it's a reminder that they're about to take it.
lol same thing happened to me but with a different service and they charged $199. I just paid it cuz I didn't want to deal with switching. Lazy tax I guess
ok but what actually happens if you ignoer it? do they send the state after you or what
Depends on the state.In mine the Secretary of State will send notices and eventually revoke the LLC's good standing. Then you can't get a loan, can't open a bank account, can't do much until you reinstate. Not worth the gamble over $119.
To pinecone_riot — they don't send the goons lol. But if someone sues the LLC and nobody's there to accept the papers, that's when it gets real. That's basically the entire point of a registered agent.
Okay so probably just pay it and set a reminder to decide next year whether to do it myself or use a cheaper service. Thanks all. Slightly annoyed but at least I get it now.
Slight annoyance is the correct emotional response. Consider it a $119 course in reading fine print