A complete guide to the Alternatives of LLC Domestication in USA

Introduction

The most effective method of transferring a firm from one state to another is LLC domestication, also called as conversion in some states. Domestication and the alternatives of LLC domestication in USA is only allowed with the consent of both. It makes it possible for the LLC to relocate to a different state without experiencing an interruption in operation or losing its employment identification number (EIN). The LLC is no longer regarded as having been established in the parent state once domestication is complete.

State law prohibits an LLC from domesticating into another state unless domestication is authorized in the state the LLC is moving from. According to these regulations, both the legislation of the state from which the LLC is transferring and the state it is moving to must be examined. Domestication is only allowed with the consent of both. Since LLC domestication is a recent practice, not all states allow it. There is no conversion or domestication legislation in 14 states of the USA:

Legal domestication and conversion are not permitted in these states. Business owners must use different methods to transfer an LLC across these states.

Legal Practice Note – While these strategies can often be effective, they are usually more time-consuming and expensive than statutory domestication or conversion. When a new LLC is formed, they demand that the assets be renamed, bank accounts be reopened, and the LLC get a new EIN. Domestication or conversion is usually a more effective, less time-consuming approach for an LLC to adopt a new home state where permitted by the laws of the existing state and the new state.

Creation of a New LLC and Merging of the Existing LLC with the New LLC

The final option is to create a new LLC in the new state and use a statutory merger to join the old LLC with the new one. A statutory domestication or conversion method is most closely resembled by a statutory merger.

Advantages of creating a new LLC / Merging the existing LLC with the New LLC

• No need to dissolve the previous LLC: There is no need to dissolve or be concerned about the administrative dissolution of the previous LLC because it will be seen as continuing to exist through the merger with the new LLC.
• Asset transfers are not required: According to the majority of states’ merger rules, an LLC’s rights, duties, and assets transfer to the new LLC when it merges with another LLC. Contracts or assets between the two LLCs don’t need to be transferred.
• Keep your EIN: It’s possible for the LLC to keep its EIN. By maintaining the same EIN, additional inconveniences are avoided, such as the need to fire and hire again, create new bank accounts, losing benefits or accounts linked to the LLC’s EIN.

Treating LLC as a Partnership

The new LLC is regarded as a continuation of the previous LLC, whose partners possess more than 50% of the capital and earning interests in the new LLC if the old LLC is a multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership. Combining partnerships with many owners might be difficult because of the 50% rule. However, the ownership of both LLCs is the same when the merger’s purpose is to move the LLC to a different state. There is never a violation of the 50% rule.

The new LLC might be regarded as the surviving entity and a continuation of the old LLC in the case that the partners of the previous LLC continue to own it. This enables the new LLC to maintain the previous LLC’s EIN, accounting rules, tax years, and elections. The new LLC declares that it is a continuation of the previous LLC on its upcoming tax return.

LLC is recognized as an Disregarded Entity

If the old LLC is owned by a single-member and LLC handled as a disregarded business (sole proprietorship) that files its income on Schedule C of its owner’s personal income tax return (assuming no other owners are added) then only the owner of the previous LLC may continue to use his or her social security number as the EIN for the new LLC.

Treating LLC as a Corporation

Under the Internal Revenue Code, a F reorganization (a sort of tax-free reorganization) may be conducted by the original LLC if it chose to be taxed as a corporation. During a F reorganization, the transaction is viewed as a “simple change in identity, form, or place of organization” of the LLC. An F reorganization must meet the following criteria:

• In exchange for Membership Interests in the New LLC, all Membership Interests in the New LLC shall be distributed.
• The membership interests of the new LLC and the old LLC, as determined immediately before the reorganization, should be owned by the same people in the same proportions.
• The new LLC was not permitted to own any real estate or have any tax benefits Prior to the reorganization, with the exception of the minimal number of assets required by local law to support formation or retain the new LLC’s legal status.
• For federal tax reasons, the former LLC must totally dissolve, although it may keep a negligible amount of assets in order to maintain its legal existence rather than dissolving.
• After the reorganization, the new LLC must be the only entity holding any property that was owned by the previous LLC just before the reorganization. The new LLC must also be the only company acquiring new assets.
• The new LLC may not own property from a corporation other than the transferor LLC.

Using the LLC as an Out-of-State LLC

The owners may choose to manage the LLC in its initial stage of creation if domestication is not an option. State LLC rules do not mandate that LLCs be subject to the laws of the owner’s native state. A moving owner may continue to run the LLC as it is without changing the governing legislation since state law does not mandate that the LLC follow the owner to a new jurisdiction.

If the LLC generates enough revenue in the new state, operating it as an out-of-state LLC may be difficult. In that case, the LLC must register in order to conduct business in the new state. Due to the registration requirement, the LLC is governed by two different sets of laws:

• The original state’s legislation, which has its own yearly criteria for upholding the LLC.
• The new state’s laws that apply to out-of-state companies conducting business there.

The legal documentation is required to keep an LLC under both sets of regulations is significantly more complicated and, depending on the filing fees imposed by each state, may result in a large rise in the annual expense.

Creating a New LLC and dissolving the Existing LLC

Another choice is to establish an entirely new LLC in the new state and wind off and

legally dissolve the present LLC in its present state. The previous LLC has effectively been dissolved with this strategy.

• Get a new LLC EIN number. The LLC will require a new EIN unless it is a single-member LLC that is classified as a negligible business and declares its revenue on its owner’s tax return.
• Generate new bank accounts. The LLC must use its new EIN to create new bank accounts.
• Employees may be fired and rehired. Employees of the former LLC must be fired and rehired by the new LLC in order for the LLC to transfer them to it.
• Transfer resources. To transfer the assets to the new LLC, the LLC must sign assignments, deeds, or other transfer procedures.
• Contract assignment The owners must bargain with the other party to secure consent to transfer the contract to the new LLC, if the prior LLC is a member to it and the new LLC wishes to keep it.

Conclusion

The creation of a new LLC followed by a statutory merger is often the next-best option if domestication is not a possibility. The automated transfer of assets and, in many situations, the ability for the LLC to keep its EIN make this option the closest to an LLC domestication.