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Create My LLC: 2026 Best Services for Independent Contractors

Written by the Money Editorial Team Reviewed against Money’s editorial standards Updated June 2026

See LLC pricing for 2026 — how much does an LLC cost? Plans from $19/mo with a dedicated CPA included. No surprise fees. State filing fees range from $40 to $500.

#1 Best Overall Advertising Partner
  • 1-800Accountant clients save an average of $12,000/year on taxes†, built for 1099 contractors
  • Basic Plan ($19/mo, billed annually): Free AI Business Tax Return, AI Bookkeeping & Unlimited 1099 Filings
  • Pro Plan ($29/mo, billed annually): adds S-Corp Election, Credentialed Tax Expert Review & Tax Hotline
BBB A- SOC 2 50K+ Contractors Year-Round
As seen in:

†Average reported tax savings figure provided by 1-800Accountant; individual results vary. 1-800Accountant is an advertising partner — see disclosure above.

$12,000+
Average tax savings per 1099 client, per year†
50,000+
Contractors trust 1-800Accountant with their taxes & books
★ 4.5/5
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot (June 2026)

†Average tax savings figure reported by 1-800Accountant; individual results vary. 1-800Accountant is an advertising partner.

Compare LLC Services: Formation & Beyond

Comparison of LLC formation services by included features and plan tiers.
CompanyLLC FilingTax PlanningBookkeepingOn Demand Tax ExpertGet started
1-800Accountant
✓Included✓Included*✓Included*✓Included*Create My LLC
LegalZoom
✓Included+Add-onLZ Tax+Add-onLZ Books+Add-onLZ TaxVisit LegalZoom
ZenBusiness
✓Included+Add-on+Add-on+Add-onVisit ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
✓Included+Add-onor Partner+Add-onor Partner+Add-onor PartnerVisit Tailor Brands

All providers include registered agent, EIN filing, operating agreement, and compliance alerts.

*Included with 1-800Accountant subscription plan.

How We Rank LLC Services

We score every provider on the criteria below, weighted toward what matters most for 1099 and self-employed earners: not just getting the LLC filed, but the ongoing tax and bookkeeping work that drives real savings. Ratings and pricing reflect publicly available information as of June 2026.

  1. 35%

    Tax & accounting depth

    Does the provider go beyond filing — S-Corp election, year-round tax planning, bookkeeping, and access to credentialed experts?

  2. 25%

    Formation & compliance

    State filing, registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and ongoing compliance alerts.

  3. 20%

    Value & pricing transparency

    Cost relative to features, and how clearly recurring or annually-billed pricing is disclosed up front.

  4. 15%

    Reputation & support

    Third-party ratings (Trustpilot, BBB), the support model, and track record with small-business owners.

  5. 5%

    Fit for 1099 & self-employed earners

    How well the service handles contractor and self-employment tax situations specifically.

How placement works: the companies featured here are advertising partners, and compensation — together with the research above — influences where and in what order they appear. We apply the scoring criteria independently of payment, but placement is not purely objective. See our advertiser disclosure for details. Sources: provider websites and published pricing, public Trustpilot and BBB ratings, and Money's editorial evaluation.

Our Top LLC Service Picks

1-800Accountant#1 Best OverallAdvertising Partner
  • Basic Plan ($19/mo): Business Formation, EIN, Free AI Business Tax Return, AI Bookkeeping & Unlimited 1099 Filings
  • Pro Plan ($29/mo): Adds Credentialed Tax Expert Review, S-Corp Election, Payroll Set Up & Tax Hotline
  • An accountant ensures the correct formation & entity type for YOUR tax situation
  • BBB A- Rating | SOC 2 Certified | Featured in Forbes, WSJ & NY Times

Our takeThe only pick that bundles formation with year-round tax planning, bookkeeping, and a dedicated accountant — the ongoing work that actually drives tax savings.

Watch outPlans are billed annually and the refund window is limited, so it fits contractors ready to commit to a full year rather than one-off filers.

Create My LLCFree Consultation Available
Tailor BrandsAdvertising Partner
  • Register an LLC in any state in minutes
  • Prices start at $0 + State fees
  • Business documents, taxes, licensed filing
  • 7-step LLC formation process

Our takeBundles LLC formation with branding tools (logo, website, brand kit) — handy if you're launching a brand from zero.

Watch outCheckout leans heavily on upsells, and tax/bookkeeping depend on add-ons or partners rather than in-house experts.

Visit Tailor Brands
ZenBusinessAdvertising Partner
  • Velo AI Guide: AI that files your paperwork and tracks deadlines for you
  • Starter ($0 + state fees): LLC formation, EIN, 7-10 day filing
  • Premium ($399/yr): 1-day rush, registered agent, Worry-Free Compliance
  • 900,000+ businesses formed | 100% accuracy guarantee | 4.8/5 on Trustpilot

Our takeLow entry price ($0 + state fees), a fast guided filing flow, and solid Worry-Free compliance tooling.

Watch outBuilt around formation — tax planning and bookkeeping are add-ons, and the free tier files more slowly than paid rush options.

Visit ZenBusiness
LegalZoomAdvertising Partner
  • Set up any business entity type
  • Get legal advice for only $39.09/month
  • Unlimited customer support
  • Business tax and compliance resources

Our takeThe most established formation brand, with the deepest legal add-ons and a large attorney network behind it.

Watch outTax and bookkeeping are separate paid add-ons (LZ Tax, LZ Books), so the all-in cost climbs once you need ongoing support.

Visit LegalZoom
#1 Best Overall

Built for 1099 Contractors: LLC Formation + Tax Support

1-800Accountant pairs LLC filing with an on-demand tax expert, AI bookkeeping, and unlimited 1099 issuing & filings, from day one. Plans start at $19/mo, billed annually.

Your Dedicated Team

Tax Preparer

Expert filing to maximize deductions and minimize liability

Tax Advisor

Year-round proactive strategies to reduce your tax burden

Bookkeeper

Monthly reconciliation and financial statements you can count on

Payroll Specialist

Employee payments, withholdings, and tax filings handled

Create My LLC

More Services from 1-800Accountant

Already have an LLC? Add tax prep or bookkeeping from the same team.

1-800Accountant Tax Preparation

By 1-800Accountant CPAs & EAs

  • Personal & business tax filing by credentialed experts
  • AI-powered document processing for faster filing
  • Year-round tax planning, not just seasonal prep
Get My Tax Prep

1-800Accountant Bookkeeping

By 1-800Accountant bookkeepers

  • Monthly reconciliation and financial statements
  • Proprietary software with bank sync & categorization
  • Dedicated bookkeeper assigned to your account
Set Up My Books

Who Benefits Most from Forming an LLC?

If you’re earning 1099 income, whether full-time, side hustle, or somewhere in between, forming an LLC turns your earnings into a business, unlocks deductions, and opens the door to S-Corp tax savings.

1099 Contractors & Freelancers

Deduct home office, equipment, mileage, software. Income that used to hit your personal return now flows through a business.

Content Creators

OnlyFans, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, podcasters. Sponsorship and platform income belongs in a business, not your W-2 line.

Real Estate Investors

Hold each rental in its own LLC for asset protection. A lawsuit on one property won’t reach the others.

E-commerce Sellers

Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, dropshippers. Inventory, shipping, ad spend, and platform fees all become deductible business expenses.

Consultants & Coaches

Once you clear ~$40K in profit, an S-Corp election can cut self-employment tax meaningfully. Your accountant runs the numbers.

Gig Workers

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Rover. Platform 1099s + an LLC structure puts you in control of how that income gets taxed.

Side Hustlers

W-2 day job + freelance, Etsy shop, or weekend consulting. An LLC keeps that side income clean and audit-ready.

Solopreneurs

Single-member LLC + S-Corp election is the standard setup for service businesses pulling in $80K–$250K in profit.

Create My LLC

1-800Accountant Reviews

Rated Excellent4.5 out of 5 onTrustpilot

Essential for Business Owners

This service is essential for business owners. The technology they use makes everything seamless.

Ruben Mejorado

CoreLogic Roofing & Construction

Professional & Knowledgeable

Andrew was professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain my tax situation in detail.

Jennifer Sandino

Legacy Land Investments

Feel at Ease!

John, the representative I worked with to get me started, did exceptionally well at explaining all the benefits 1-800Accountant offers. He was friendly, personable and made me feel at ease with the most difficult part of owning a small business!

Jessenia

Kind, Patient & Knowledgeable

The accountant staff are always kind, patient and professional with me. Very good and knowledgeable.

Mary Furlong

Why Choose a Full-Service LLC Provider?

Most LLC services stop at formation. But the real challenge begins after: staying compliant, managing taxes, and keeping clean books. That's where a full-service provider makes the difference.

Formation Is Just the Start

Filing your LLC is step one, but staying compliant, managing taxes, and keeping clean books is where most business owners struggle. A full-service provider handles it all so you can focus on growing your business.

Tax Strategy Built In

LLCs offer pass-through taxation by default, but the real savings come from expert tax planning. Providers like 1-800Accountant help you elect S-Corp status, maximize deductions, and reduce self-employment tax as your revenue grows.

Compliance Without the Headache

Annual reports, state filings, registered agent requirements: miss one and you risk losing your LLC status. Full-service providers send automated alerts and handle filings so you never fall out of compliance.

How to Create My LLC

01

Fill Out the Form

Click "Create My LLC" on any provider above and complete a short form with my business details. It takes less than two minutes.

02

Get a Free Consultation

A specialist will review your information and reach out to discuss your LLC needs, answer questions, and recommend the right service package for you.

03

Launch My LLC

Your provider handles the filing, registered agent setup, EIN, and operating agreement. You focus on running your business while they handle the paperwork and compliance.

Create My LLC

It takes less than 2 minutes to fill out the form

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an S-Corp election and why does it matter?

An S-Corp election changes how the IRS taxes your LLC. Instead of paying 15.3% self-employment tax on every dollar of profit, you pay yourself a reasonable salary and take the rest as distributions, which aren’t subject to SE tax. For 1099 contractors clearing roughly $40K+ in profit, this often saves several thousand dollars per year. A full-service provider like 1-800Accountant runs the numbers and files the election for you.

I'm a gig worker making under $50K. Is forming an LLC worth it?

Often yes, but the case is about deductions and audit defense rather than S-Corp savings. An LLC lets you cleanly deduct mileage, equipment, home office, software, and other business expenses against your 1099 income, which most platforms don’t track for you. Once your profit grows past ~$40K, the S-Corp election starts to pay off too.

How is 1-800Accountant different from LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, or Tailor Brands?

Formation-only services (LegalZoom, ZenBusiness, Tailor Brands) file your LLC paperwork and stop. 1-800Accountant pairs the filing with an on-demand tax expert, AI bookkeeping, unlimited 1099 issuing, and tax planning. That work is what actually saves you money each year. Tax services from the others are typically third-party add-ons.

How much do LLC services cost?

State filing fees range from $40 to $500. Formation-only services charge $0 to $300 on top of that. Full-service providers like 1-800Accountant include formation plus ongoing tax planning, bookkeeping, and compliance. Plans start at $19/mo (Basic) and $29/mo (Pro), billed annually.

How long does it take to form an LLC?

Processing times vary by state, typically ranging from 1 to 6 weeks for standard filing. Many formation services offer expedited processing that can reduce this to 1–3 business days for an additional fee.

Do I need a registered agent?

Yes, every LLC is required to have a registered agent in the state where it is formed. A registered agent receives legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of your business during regular business hours.

What is an operating agreement and do I need one?

An operating agreement outlines the ownership structure, member responsibilities, and operating procedures of your LLC. While not required in every state, it is strongly recommended to protect your limited liability status and prevent disputes.

Can I form an LLC in a different state than where I live?

Yes, you can form an LLC in any state. However, if you conduct business in your home state, you may need to register as a foreign LLC there as well, which means paying fees in both states. Most small businesses benefit from forming in their home state.

Ready to Create My LLC?

Get formation, tax planning, and compliance support, all in one place.

Create My LLC
1-800Accountant · #1 Best Overall Create My LLC