Resources for Starting and Maintaining a Business in Michigan
At CorpNet our mission is to help you start your business and help you keep it in compliance. To assist you in your entrepreneurial journey, we’ve collected answers to the most frequently asked questions small business owners have about starting and maintaining a business in the state of Michigan.
Our goal is to provide you with a one-stop solution for all of your business, payroll tax registrations, and compliance filings. And if we can help you along the way, our team of entity filings and compliance experts is just a call away.
Quick Facts for Starting a Michigan Business
Expedited Services Available: Yes
New Business Publishing Required: No
Private Registration Available: No
Registered Agent Required: Yes*
Annual Report Required: Yes
Franchise Tax Required: No
State Sales Tax: 6%
State Income Tax: 4.25%
Unemployment Insurance: .06% – 10.3%
*DBAs do not require a registered agent in Michigan.
Michigan Business Entity Options
| Business Entity Type | State Registration Fees | Applicable Form |
| Limited Partnership | $10 | Certificate of Limited Partnership – Form 401 |
| Limited Liability Partnership | $100 | Application to Register LLP – Form 800 |
| Domestic Limited Liability Company | $50 | Articles of Organization – Form 700 |
| Domestic Professional Limited Liability Company | $50 | Articles of Organization – Form 701 |
| Domestic Profit Corporation | $60-$1,000+ | Articles of Incorporation – Form 500 |
| Domestic Professional Corporation | $60-$1,000+ | Articles of Incorporation – Form 501 |
| Domestic Nonprofit Corporation | $20 | Articles of Incorporation – Form 502 |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company | $50 | Certificate of Authority to Transact Business – Form 760 |
| Foreign Profit Company | $50 | Registration of Corporate Name – Form 545 |
| Foreign Nonprofit Corporation | $20 | Certificate of Authority to Transact Business – Form 560 |
| Ecclesiastical | $20 | Articles of Incorporation – Form 503 |
Not Sure Which Type of Business You Need?
Launch CorpNet’s Business Structure Wizard to get suggested entities based on your unique needs. It’s free and easy to use.
Key Michigan Government Resources
Michigan Small Business Development Center
Seidman College of Business
Grand Valley State University
50 Front Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Michigansbdc.org
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)
Ottawa Building
611 W. Ottawa
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
Michigan.gov/lara/
A Guide for Starting a Business in the State of Michigan
If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in Michigan, you’re in good company. With plentiful resources, incentives, and loans, Michigan is home to 902,000 small businesses that represent 48.3 % of the state’s workers.
We’d like to help you get started with your Michigan small business, so we’ve created a comprehensive guide to detail what you need to get your Michigan business up and running. Read our step by step guide for getting your Michigan business up and running.
Feeling Overwhelmed? CorpNet Is Here To Help!
Below are all the ways CorpNet can help you and your business.
Our knowledge team of experts is here to help and all our services are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Business Formation and Launch
Ongoing Business Compliance
Need a Small Business Compliance Checklist?
Business compliance can slip through the cracks! As your existing business evolves, you are required to file notify the state of any changes. Many business owners lose sight of these requirements and fail to realize they haven’t met compliance requirements.
Use our compliance checklist to determine which business filings you need to perform to manage this year’s activities and changes.
Additional Resources and Articles
Compare Entities
- Business Structures Chart
- Choosing a Business Structure
- Business Structures Wizard
- Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership
- Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC
- LLC vs. Partnership
- LLC vs. Corporation
- C Corporation vs. S Corporation
- S Corporation vs. LLC
- LLC vs. S Corp vs. C Corp
- DBA vs. LLC
- LLP vs. LLC
- LLC vs. PLLC
- Professional Corporation vs. LLC
- Single Member vs. Multiple Member LLC
- Member vs. Manager-Managed LLC
- Domestic LLC vs. Foreign LLC
Common Questions
- What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
- What is a Certificate of Registration?
- What is a Statement of Information?
- What are Articles of Incorporation?
- What are Articles of Organization?
- What is an Annual Franchise Tax Report?
- What is a Certificate of Authority?
- What is a Statement of Purpose?
- What Is a Fictitious Name?
- What is a Pass-Through Entity?
- What is the Owner of an LLC Called?
- What is the Role of an LLC Organizer?
- What Is a Registered Agent?
- What is a Statutory Agent?
- What is a Reseller License?
- What is a Corporate Resolution?
- What Is a Letter of Good Standing?
