Business Formation in Alabama
Start your Alabama LLC or corporation right — entity selection, tax elections, and registrations done by a CPA from day one.
Forming an Alabama business is cheap and fast; forming it correctly is what a CPA adds. The filing itself is a form — the decisions around it (LLC vs. S-corp, member structure, accounting method, payroll setup, which local licenses you need) determine what you'll pay in taxes for years. A formation engagement with a CPA typically costs a few hundred dollars and prevents the most common expensive mistakes.
What to expect from an Alabama firm
- Entity selection advice: sole proprietorship, LLC, S-corp, C-corp
- Certificate of Formation filing with the Alabama Secretary of State
- EIN, Alabama tax registrations, and county/city business licenses
- S-corp election (Form 2553) timing and reasonable-salary planning
- Accounting system and payroll setup so you start with clean books
What it typically costs
Alabama's state filing fee for an LLC is $200 (plus name reservation). CPA formation packages — filing, EIN, registrations, and initial tax setup — typically run $500–$1,500 depending on scope.
Frequently asked questions
LLC or S-corp for my new Alabama business?
They're not alternatives — an S-corp is a tax election an LLC (or corporation) can make. Most new Alabama businesses start as LLCs taxed as sole proprietorships or partnerships, then elect S-corp status once profits comfortably exceed what a reasonable salary would be (a common rule of thumb: around $40–60K of profit). Electing too early adds payroll cost and complexity for no savings.
What does it cost to maintain an Alabama LLC each year?
The recurring state-level obligation is the business privilege tax return; since 2024, entities owing $100 or less are exempt from payment, which covers many small LLCs. Add county/city business license renewals and, if you have employees, payroll filings. There is no separate annual report fee for Alabama LLCs as in some states.
Do I need an attorney too?
For a single-owner LLC with a standard structure, a CPA can typically handle the whole formation. Bring in an attorney when there are multiple owners needing a real operating agreement, investors, buy-sell provisions, or intellectual property to protect. Many Alabama CPAs work alongside a business attorney for exactly these pieces.
Alabama firms offering business formation
Plains Tax & Advisory
Auburn–Opelika
Auburn firm guiding franchise owners, university spinouts, and rental investors from formation through annual filings.
Rocket City CPA, LLC
Huntsville✓ Claimed
Serves defense subcontractors and tech startups with DCAA-aware accounting and entity setup for new government contractors.
Cahaba Accounting Partners
Birmingham
Homewood firm pairing monthly bookkeeping with CFO-style advisory for startups and professional practices.
Peanut Belt CPA Services
Dothan
Downtown Dothan practice serving agribusiness entities and family farms across the Wiregrass.
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