Idaho, known for its unspoiled and rugged land, is the home to massive potato farms, precious stone mining, and trout. You may want to go start a business in this northwest land now but you will need to pick a name. Idaho, like all states, has rules about naming a small business. A name must be distinguishable, which means you must do a business name search.
We have a guide to do a proper business name search and also have some tips on setting up your Idaho business to be as profitable as the land itself.
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How to check business name availability in Idaho
1. Go to the Secretary of State Idaho page
The business search tool is provided through the Secretary of State page. From there you will be able to search registered names.
2. Go to the advanced search
You will get a drop-down menu. It is best to hit “contains” for a more complete search as it will search businesses with any of the keywords you use.
3. Enter keywords in search bar
This can be the name you want or a list of words you may use.
4. Hit search
The results will show you all the registered and reserved names including any of the search terms you listed.
5. Consider reserving a name
After running an Idaho business name search, you have two options: You can reserve a name or you can register the name. You should reserve the name if you aren’t planning to set up the business immediately.
Idaho allows business owners to reserve a name for 4 months and has a $40 fee ( including an additional $20.00 for a non-electronic form for manual entry)
To do so, you’ll fill out a quick form and provide the payment.
Again, you don’t need to reserve a name if you plan to officially set up your business with the state of Idaho, but if you’re just doing some homework and plan to set up your business later, reserve the name now so it’s not taken when you’re ready.
6. Check domain name availability
We created a tool that makes it easy.
How to name your Idaho business
Now that you know a little more about the business landscape in the state, it’s time to start generating a list of names for your business. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Write down basic details about your business
Start by creating a verbal picture of your business. Think about what your business will offer and who it will serve. Will you sell a specific product or service? Who’s going to buy it? Jot down a few details about your company as a starting point.
Next, start creating a list of adjectives that describe your business. Think in terms of keywords. What keywords would your customer use to find the product or service that you offer? Write them down.
2. Stay away from initials and hard-to-say words
There are plenty of businesses that include initials, like A&J Plumbing, but consider upping your game with something a bit more creative and descriptive.
The same goes for names that are hard to say. If your last name is Stackowaski, for example, it’s not conducive to a business name because it’s too hard to pronounce.
3. Don’t pigeon-hole your business
Be careful not to select a name that limits your company’s potential growth. Think about where your business will be in five, ten, even twenty years, and take that into consideration when creating a name.
A company named Bob’s Bargain Books, for example, is a good name, but what if they plan to sell vintage records and cassettes down the road? The name only refers to books, so when vintage music is added people won’t associate it with the store.
4. Consider using a name generator
At this point, you probably have a list of a few ideas. Rather than brainstorm a bunch of different combinations, why not try a name generator? You simply enter a few of the adjectives that you came up with into the search bar and you’ll get a list of possible names.
Name generators can take some of the hassles out of creating a name. Most name generators will only show you available names too, which is helpful.
Check out some of Namechk’s name generators below:
What kind of business structure is right for your Idaho company?
As you research available business names in Idaho, you’ll also want to think about what kind of business you want to establish. There are a handful of options to choose from, but some of the most common are Sole proprietorship and LLC.
- A sole proprietorship is ideal for small businesses with no employees that want to test their business out. There’s virtually no paperwork to set up this kind of business, which is a plus. However, a sole proprietorship is not a separate business entity, which means you’re financially and legally responsible for any problems that might arise.
- An LLC, or limited liability company, provides a certain amount of liability protection. Your personal assets and your business are separate with this business structure, which means if the business is sued or goes bankrupt, you will not be forced to use your personal cash reserves to bail the business out.
Steps to register your Idaho business
Ready to set up your business in ID? Here’s what you do:
1. File your Articles of Organization
Visit the Idaho Secretary of State website and fill out the Articles of Organization. To fill this out, you’ll need to have an available business name, address, and contact information.
2. Name a registered agent
You’ll also need to name a registered agent. A registered agent is the point-person for your company who will receive important documents like tax notices or legal documents.
A registered agent must be trustworthy and be available during regular business hours when documents are delivered. The business owner can serve as the registered agent in Idaho or another person or company can be named.
You might decide to name your accountant or co-founder, for example. You can also hire a registered agent service to serve in this role. Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Bizee are a few examples. These companies will receive documents on your behalf and notify you of their arrival.
3. Pay the filing fee
Every state charges a filing fee to file LLC formation documents with the government. In Idaho, the cost is $100 if the request is typed; $120 if typed. There is a $20 additional fee to expedite the request.
4. Wait for approval
Idaho will review your application and typically provides approvals within five to seven business days. Once approved, your business is officially set up.
Our picks of the best registered agent services
Idaho small business facts
Before you head to the Idaho farmlands, check out these facts from the U.S. Business Administration:
- There are 169,151 small businesses in Idaho, making up 99.1% of all businesses in the state.
- Small business employees total 325,294 people, making up 56.3%of all employees in Idaho.
- The state unemployment rate in 2020 was 11.5%, up 2.9% from 2019.
- The primary demographic who are self-employed in Idaho are veteran men.
- The top industries in Idaho are health care and social services, accommodations and food services, construction and retail.
FAQs
To further help entrepreneurs, check out these frequently asked questions about starting a business in Idaho:
Why is it so important to check on business name availability?
Idaho will not allow two businesses in the state to have the same name. There are many reasons for this, but at its core, it’s to avoid any confusion. For example, if someone plans to sue Bob’s Fruit Stand and there are two of these companies in the state, things can get complicated quickly.
All businesses must have a unique name. And, you can’t just add a hyphen to a name to make it different. Each name must be “distinguishingly different.”
How long does it take for the State of Idaho to process my request?
It takes an average of a week to process a business name and articles of organization request if you don’t expedite it. It can be approved in a business day if you pay for expedited service.
Do home-based businesses need to register with the state?
Yes, they do. In Idaho, home-based businesses are treated the same as brick-and-mortar businesses. They too must register their name and articles of organization with the Secretary of State’s office.
Do you need to register a business before transacting any business?
Yes, the state requires being registered before doing any business. You must also have a federal employment number as well as a state employment tax number.
What else is required to register a business with the State of Idaho?
Before your business can be approved by the State of Idaho, you must specify the entity type. That means you must either declare it as a corporation, a partnership, sole proprietor, LLC, or an LLP.
This is an area to consult with an attorney. These different business structures have legal and tax implications.
Does which type of entity I choose affect how I register with the state?
Yes, it does. Those names registering as an LLC or Inc register the name as part of the entity application. Sole proprietorships and partnerships file an Assumed Business Name, also known as a DBA (doing business as).
Does it matter if I have employees or retail sales?
Yes, those are details that matter in registering with Idaho. Those businesses who plan on having employees or making sales must also register with the Idaho State Tax Commission, the Idaho Industrial Commission, and the Idaho Department of Public Safety. You will need to file form IBR-1.
The form is required. This is in addition to registering the business structure and business name. You don’t need this form if you are not selling retail or won’t have any employees.
Will I need a business license too?
Yes, but whether you need one really depends on the city or county where your business will be located. Business licenses are issued by local city clerk’s offices and they may have additional requirements. You will need to contact your local city clerk’s to find out if you need a business license and what is required if you do.
Additionally, you may also need a professional state license for some businesses. This can include accounting, hair salon, and legal services but may also include many others. You will need to research further to find out if a professional license is required for your business.
Must the signer on the reservation application be a business owner?
Yes, that is the law in Idaho with a couple of exemptions. If the application is another legal entity, such as a business registration service, the signer must be an officer or agent of the company. In that case, his or her name must be typed below the signature indicating in what capacity they are signing.
How are LLCs taxed in Idaho?
An LLC must file a separate tax return when it elects to be taxed as a corporation. Idaho has taxes corporation income, which is generally a flat 7.4% rate plus an additional $10.
Do I have to file income tax returns on a business in Idaho?
Yes, Idaho’s business tax rate is 6.5% on taxable income. You must file income tax returns for your business if you are transacting business in the state if you are registered with the Secretary of State to do business, if you have income coming from doing business in Idaho or if you are a fiduciary.
Idaho state government defines transacting business as including leasing, either as a lessor or lessee property in the state, soliciting business in the state, you are a partner or a member of an S-corp doing business in the state, you have income derived by business in Idaho, you have someone acting on your behalf in Idaho.
The Idaho law may have other business activities defined as transactions beyond these applications. You should research to see if you fall into this definition.
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