Find Jobs
Hire Freelancers

How to start a business in Michigan

Dreaming of starting a business but not sure how to do it? In our step-by-step 2020 guide we teach you how to launch your own business in Michigan.
24. sep. 2019 • 10 minut branja
Posodobljeno dne 7. feb. 2020 s strani Closed User
Naslovna fotografija

Everything you need to know to start your business in Michigan

The process of launching your own business is much simpler than you might think. In this post we'll walk you through the process of establishing every type of business structure in the state of Michigan.
But before you launch a business in any location, it's important for you to have an understanding of its startup ecosystem.
Have a look at some of the key startup stats for Michigan:
 
Michigan startup stats infographic
 

Planning your business in Michigan

Your first task should be creating a business plan.
Think of a business plan as a roadmap. It contains all of the strategies and procedures that will grow your business and also keep all business members aligned.
With a dependable business plan on hand you'll always be prepared to hand it over to anyone wanting to learn more about your business, such as potential investors, potential business partners and banks.
Thankfully, we've written an in-depth guide to crafting a winning business plan.
The typical business plan is comprised of the following chapters:
Value proposition
Market opportunity
Target market
Competitor analysis
Funding required
Sales and marketing
Financial projections
Milestones
Your team
It's important for you to also validate the demand of your business idea with proper market research. It's no good pursuing a business idea only to find out there's no market for it.

Structuring and registering your business in Michigan

There are 6 main business structures, and all are applicable to both brick and mortar businesses and e-commerce businesses:
Sole Proprietorships
Partnerships
C-Corporation
S-Corporation 
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Nonprofit
If you're uncertain about which structure best suits you, read our in-depth guide on structuring your business for success.

Procedures for all business types 

Regardless of the business structure you choose, you'll need to follow a few key steps:

Get your EIN

You'll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you'll be hiring employees. It's also a mandatory step for business structures such as LLCs and Corporations.
You can apply for an EIN online.

Select a name for your business

If you'll be trading under a business name that differs from your given name, you'll need to file a "Certificate of Assumed Name" with the county clerk of every county in Michigan where business will be transacted.

Register for UIA Employment Account Number and Sales Tax

You can register for Michigan sales tax and your UIA Employment Account Number (the number associated with your unemployment insurance) online.

Get your licenses and zoning permits

Some businesses require a license to operate in Michigan. Certain locations also require a zoning permit in order to be used for commercial purposes. Check with your county office if your business location requires a zoning permit. This is especially important if you'll run your business from home.

Register business with the Michigan Department of Treasury

All businesses in Michigan need to register with the Department of Treasury in order to complete all of their state tax obligations. 

Open Business Banking Accounts

This isn't necessarily a requirement, but it's important to keep business transactions separate from personal transactions.

Submit New Hire Reports

All new employees need to be reported to both the IRS and the state of Michigan.
The video below provides some helpful tips for New Hire Reporting:



 

Tax details for all business types in Michigan

You can access details of all of the taxes applicable to businesses in Michigan from the Michigan Department of Treasury website under the title "Business Tax Types."

Domestic or Foreign business in Michigan?

To ensure you're accessing the correct business forms, it's important to understand the difference between a "foreign" business and a "local" business.
A business in Michigan is classified as "foreign" if its headquarters are based outside of Michigan. A domestic business is headquartered in Michigan.
Now let's discuss the processes of establishing each individual business structure.

How to start a Sole Proprietorship in Michigan

If you're launching a business alone, a Sole Proprietorship is the simplest and cheapest business structure you could choose.
Most business owners commence as a Sole Proprietorship structure and then upgrade to a more complex structure when they reach a notable growth milestones.
The good news is that if you've followed all of the general steps we outlined above for starting a business, there's nothing more you need to do to launch a Sole Proprietorship in Michigan.
It's important to mention that Sole Proprietors share their personal assets with the business, so they run the risk of losing their possessions if the business fails or is sued. To mitigate this risk, Sole Proprietors should insure themselves.
High risk businesses should consider a more secure business structure (such as an LLC or Corporation) for the greatest level of personal asset protection. 

How to start a Partnership in Michigan

A Partnership structure is a multiple member version of a Sole Proprietorship. This is the simplest and cheapest structure you can choose for multiple founders.
Just like Sole Proprietors, Partnership members have unlimited personal liability for all business debts.
There are three different types of Partnerships in Michigan. To establish each one you'll need to contact your county clerk and request a "Certificate of Co-Partnership"
General Partnership (GP)
This is the standard form of partnership. The liability of the business is equally distributed between all members. All general members are directly involved in the day-to-day decisions that govern the business.
Limited Partnership (LP)
Limited partners (also known as silent partners) cap their personal liability in the business at the price of having less control over business decisions. You can access the Certificate of Limited Partnership and Certificate of Assumed Name from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Foriegn Limited Partnerships need to submit a separate form.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Limited Liability Partnerships cannot be held liable for any errors, negligence or fraud committed by other members. 
To register an LLP you must submit a Certificate of Limited Liability Partnership as well as a Certificate of Assumed Name
Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships need to register via a separate form.

Create a Partnership Agreement

This isn't a requirement in Michigan, but it is highly recommended. A partnership agreement is a formal document outlining how the business is to be run and the role of each of its members..
This document provides partnerships with a sense of order and control, which is very appealing to potential investors and financial institutions should you be looking for funding.
Some suggested chapters to include in your Partnership Agreement are:
Voting procedures
Roles and expectations of each members
Mediation procedures
Bankruptcy procedures
Distribution of profits
If you're unfamiliar with how to write a Partnership Agreement, take a look at this template for inspiration.

How to form an LLC in Michigan

An LLC provides a superior level of personal asset protection to all its members. It's also the minimal business structure required to officially distribute stock certificates to investors.

Naming your Michigan LLC

The business names of all LLCs in Michigan need to end in any of the following suffixes:
LLC
L.L.C
Limited Liability Company
Once you've chosen a suffix, you'll need to register your business name.
You can also conduct a name search to see if the proposed name for your LLC is available. 

Appoint a Registered Agent in Michigan

All LLCs in Michigan must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent is a third party that receives all mail and important documents on behalf of a business.
The purpose of a registered agent is to guarantee the transfer of all legal mail to business owners.
All registered agents in Michigan must meet the following criteria:
Be located in the state of Michigan.
Accept mail via a residential or business address (not via a PO BOX).
Guarantee availability during business hours.
Guarantee the timely forwarding of all accepted mail to respective business owners.
As a busy business owner you can never guarantee your availability to accept all mail during business hours. This is why it's not recommended for you to act as your own registered agent.
All foreign business must appoint a registered agent.
Here's a list of some professional registered agents in Michigan you can contract:

Submit Michigan Articles of Organization 

Submitting the Articles of Organization registers your LLC with the state of Michigan. Before completing this document you need to decide whether your LLC will be managed by its members (member managed) or an external party (manager managed).
If you choose for your LLC to be manager managed, in article 5 of the Articles of Organization, you'll need to include the details of the management structure.
Foreign LLCs will need to submit a separate Articles of Organization form and attach a Certificate of Good Standing from their home state.  
Create an Operating Agreement  
This document outlines the rules of the LLC and the role of each of its members. It's not a state requirement, but it's highly recommended to ensure uninterrupted business operation. 
If you don't know how to structure an Operating Agreement, have a look at this template.
Submit Annual Report to keep Michigan updated
All LLCs in Michigan need to ensure that their business details are up to date by filing an annual report. A form will be automatically issued to your nominated registered agent 90 days before its submission deadline.
This report can also be filed online.

How to form a Corporation in Michigan 

A Corporation is the most advanced business structure. Its perpetual life and superior personal asset protection to all members make Corporations the most appealing business structure for prospective investors.
There are two different types of Corporations:
C-Corporation
This is the default form of Corporation. C-corporations can have an unlimited number of investors and issue all classes of stock. It's also easier to transfer ownership within a C-Corporation by selling shares of stock.  
The main disadvantage of a C-Corporation is the double taxation process that occurs at both the corporate level and personal income level of each member.
S-Corporation
In order to elect an S-Corporation status, members need to file Form 2553 with the IRS.
Because this business structure is classified as a "pass-through entity," S-Corporation members are only taxed once at a personal income tax level. They also share the same benefits of C-Corporations, with the following exceptions:
S-Corporations are limited to only 100 shareholders.
They can only issue one class of stock.
Stockholders can only include individuals, estates and trusts

Michigan Corporation naming guidelines 

The names of Corporations in Michigan must end with any of the following:
Company
Corporation
Limited
Incorporated

Submit Articles of Incorporation 

Submitting this document officially registers your Corporation with the state of Michigan.
Domestic Corporations should use this form if they wish to file the document by mail. You can also file your Articles of Incorporation online.
A different filing process applies to foreign Corporations

Appoint a registered agent

The process of appointing a registered agent for Corporations is the same as the process for LLCs.

Create a corporate records book 

A corporate records book stores all of the important documentation pertaining to the Corporation such as:
Meeting minutes
Stock certificates
Contracts
High value transactions
A corporate records book does not have to adhere to any specific criteria, so you're free to fill it with any information you see fit. Just make sure it's readily accessible to all members by keeping it in your principal office.

Host initial Corporate meeting

This meeting is an opportunity for all members to create bylaws, appoint first term directors and finalize any other process that require attention prior to commencing business operations.
Stock certificates should also be officially distributed to all members during this meeting. Before this is done, make sure you contact the Michigan Regulator to see if your corporate stock is exempt from a "security" status.

Submit annual reporting 

Corporations must insure that all their business information is kept up to date. The state of Michigan will automatically send an annual report to fill out to your registered agent 90 days prior to its submission deadline.
Alternatively, you can also file this report online.

How to form a nonprofit in Michigan

A nonprofit is a form of Corporation that's exempt from certain taxes.

Naming your nonprofit 

Unlike other Corporations and LLCs, the names of nonprofits in Michigan do not require a suffix.
You can conduct a name search to see if the proposed name for your nonprofit is available. 

Submit Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

In order to register your nonprofit with the state of Michigan you'll need to submit the Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation. If you plan to also apply for federal tax exempt 501(c)(3) status, you must include specific statements in your Articles of Incorporation. For more guidance, refer to the section "Articles of Organization" in this IRS document.

Create a Corporate Records book 

This book should be stored in your primary office location in Michigan and contain important documentation such as:
Meeting minutes
Stock certificates
Bylaws
Contracts
Notable Transactions / purchases

Host initial corporate meeting

This is an opportunity for you to complete all of the processes that must completed prior to launching the business such as:
Creating bylaws
Appointing initial term directors
Opening corporate bank accounts

Register for tax exemption

To obtain an exemption status at a federal level, you'll need to file Form 1023 with the IRS. Smaller nonprofits may be eligible to submit the simpler Form 1023-EZ.
You're automatically exempt from Michigan State tax once the IRS grants you a Federal Tax exemption status.

Register for fundraising activities

Before commencing any fundraising activities, you'll need to register your intention to do so with the state of Michigan. This is to ensure your nonprofit remains compliant and maintains its integrity as a community focused organisation.  
Certain nonprofit organizations are exempt from this registration process. 

Protecting your business in Michigan 

Some recommended insurance policies for your startup in Michigan are:

Business owners policy (BOP)

A combination of business liability insurance and business property insurance that protects your business from loss of income as a result of disasters, theft, fire, etc.

Commercial property insurance 

This policy protects all of your business inventory and other business belongings.

General liability insurance 

This policy protects your business from property damage, copyright infringements, personal injuries and more.

Business income insurance 

This insurance policy supplements any lost income while your business recovers from disruptive damage.

Workers compensation insurance

This policy offers compensation to any employees injured at work.

Helpful resources

A resource for business tax information and an online portal to file tax returns.
Access Articles of Organization, business licenses, zoning permits etc. 
This is a great resource for small business news, tips and advice, market research and industry-specific links.
The US Small Business Administration offers advice, advocacy and instruction for small businesses across the country.
Our own guide to launching your startup will walk you through every step of starting a business, from concept to execution.
 
Povejte nam, kaj želite imeti opravljeno
Vnesite ime svojega projekta
Začni projekt
Povezane zgodbe

Pogovorite se z našim tehničnim kopilotom, ki vam bo pomagal pri projektu

Pridobi pomoč zdaj

Članki, ki jih priporočamo samo vam

Sličica članka How to build and launch a product in 6 foolproof steps
Launching a digital product like a web service or a mobile app can be scary. We'll show you the steps to success
18 min read
Sličica članka The ultimate guide to building a mobile app
Got a great idea for an app? Need a new way to grow your business? We tell you everything you need to know about building a mobile app in 2020.
16 min read
Sličica članka Building your business' website from the ground up
Learn the complete end-to-end process of building a successful website for your business in our comprehensive guide 
19 min read
Sličica članka Funding your startup
A million dollar business idea is useless if it remains written on a napkin. Learn the best ways of securing funding to build your dream.
26 min read
Hvala! Po e-pošti smo vam poslali povezavo za prevzem brezplačnega dobropisa.
Pri pošiljanju vašega e-sporočila je šlo nekaj narobe. Poskusite znova.
Registrirani uporabniki Skupaj objavljenih del
Freelancer ® is a registered Trademark of Freelancer Technology Pty Limited (ACN 142 189 759)
Copyright © 2024 Freelancer Technology Pty Limited (ACN 142 189 759)
Nalaganje predogleda
Geolociranje je bilo dovoljeno.
Vaša prijavna seja je potekla, zato ste bili odjavljeni. Prosimo, da se znova prijavite.