LLC business owners

For those of you that have your own business and have an LLC I'm wondering how common it is to get scam stuff. In August I quit my Job and went mostly on my own. I still do some part time work under a suncontract of sorts through a different employer. I've gotten the random junk mail mainly catalogs, magazines, organizations etc. Recently I got a few things in the mail about renewing my LLC. The first one was a few weeks ago it was very formal looked official asked different things wanted a check enclosed for 95 dollars. I thought hmm okay dang state bologna wanting more money. I have been a little behind on my paperwork, So anyway tonight I got to doing my books and Bills and notice another one that looked familiar but couldn't quite figure it out. of course Another state thing need 65 dollars....once I started reading they said they do this service 30 dollars cheaper than the other guys... I was like hmm seems scammish so I put it aside for the time being. go through a few more things and boom get to this other LLC renewal form. The fancy one from a couple weeks ago... only its now 10 days late.... So I look back at the other one (cheaper) and it's not due till the 31st. Well now I was confused and panicked I was gonna miss my renewal. I looked up the company paragon document research and sure enough its actually a scam. The other is CFS but I couldn't find anything about it? I seen some people claim renewal is something that is free.... I'm assuming I shouln't pay either?


Is this type of thing real common?

let your accountant handle it...who set up the llc?

Yup, get used to it. 12 years in January and I still get junk mail like that.

AND.... it gets worse yet if you geta DOT #

Im a licensed LLC In Wisconsin and Michigan and I have to renew my LLC and register with the state
Each year and it costs me 25 dollars each state. For mi I also have to have a registered agent in order to
Renew my LLC which is around 100 dollars a year for the registered agent. You may get companies soliciting You to charge for the renewal services. Not really a scam as some people may pay to have them do it for them.
In your case maybe it is a scam idk.

At this point no accountant or any truly "hired" people. I'm doing the scheduling, billing, ordering. etc... My Mom used to do some of this stuff long ago, and does the book work for the farm currently. She set up or helped set up most of the licensing and state type things.

This is completely separate business from the farm however.

gotcha well that makes sense... I guess wasn't sure what is was all about... I jumped into this all pretty quick, without much of a plan or knowing what I was doing. I dont regret it yet lol but definitely feel overwhelmed occassionally.


Thanks for the other replies so far as well. seems as though I'll just have to deal with this stuff.

I renew mine every year, on the computer. I used to get those people wanting to do it for me. My father n law has his on his rent property and ranch, he has his lawyer renew it for him.

The renewals from the state should have your registration number and or our EIN number etc. and there will be a standard fee not a negotiable or variable fee and you won't get a renewal from two or more different sources.
If you have the information on these firms why not send them to the MN better business bureau and have them check up on them.

Bryce

Just ignore all that stuff. Renew only through the official website of the agency you are dealing with.

I have several websites. I'm constantly getting official looking invoices to renew my domain names. domain names cost me about $10 a year and renew automatically on my credit card. These letters want $50 - $100 to renew. I bet I get three a month and have for 10 years. If I was a big enough business, the accounting dept. would open the mail and put it with the rest of the invoices to be paid. It must work because they keep sending them.

ccoyote. I'm in MN as you and have two LLCs. Always renew your LLC on the Secretary of State website. Renewals are free if you do it every year before the 1st of the year (I could be wrong on the exact date/deadline). If you let it go too long it will lapse and the state will charge you to reinstate it. (Done it more times than I'd like to admit). The state of MN does not send out letter for renewal. Its the end of December. It's time to renew for next year.

Yes, the junk mail you got does look official.

Mine is 50.00 here in Virginia there's is the only one I ever get.

I had the junk mail come out of the woodwork when I started mine. I've just trashed it all. Let the CPA do her job. Pay her well but she's worth every dime.