Michigan · Start a business

How to start a business in Michigan

Michigan sole proprietorships and copartnerships file their business names with the county clerk.

As of 4 min readVermilion Vitez Team

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STATE FILING FEE$50FILEDCORPORATIONS DIVISIONEINFEBOPENMICHIGAN · 10 STEPSFrom structure to open door

Short answer

To start a business in Michigan, pick a structure and file with the Corporations Division: $50 for an LLC, $60 for a corporation's articles. Then name a registered agent, get an EIN and register for state taxes.

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What do you file before you open in Michigan?

  1. Pick a structure

    Most owners choose an LLC or a corporation; the S corp or C corp tax choice comes later. See Michigan LLC guide, Michigan corporation guide, S corp or C corp in Michigan. By trade: cleaning business, handyman.

  2. Check and register the name

    Search the Corporations Division records before you pick a name: state name search. Michigan sole proprietorships and copartnerships file their business names with the county clerk. A corporation using another name files a Certificate of Assumed Name, which expires on December 31 of the fifth full calendar year after filing. 1 See Michigan name search guide.

  3. File with the state

    Michigan charges the state filing fee once: an LLC costs $50 2 and a corporation's articles of incorporation cost $60 3. See LLC cost.

  4. Name a registered agent

    Michigan requires a resident agent and registered office in the Articles of Incorporation. 4 Our registered agent service runs through our partner Registered Agents Inc (RAI), the registered agent of record. See Michigan registered agent rules.

Which accounts do you open after you file in Michigan?

  1. Get an EIN

    An EIN is the business's federal tax ID. The IRS issues it online, for free, and warns about websites that charge for one. 5

  2. Open your state tax accounts

    The Michigan Department of Treasury registers new businesses for state taxes through its Online New Business Registration process, and publishes a registration booklet. 6 See Sales tax permit.

  3. Register as an employer

    The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency requires a business to register to report wages if it has employees, acquired an existing business, or is an officer of a corporation or the sole employee. 7 Michigan's Workers' Disability Compensation Agency enforces coverage for private employers with 3 or more employees at one time, part-time included, or 1 or more employees working 35 hours or more per week for 13 weeks or longer during the preceding 52 weeks. 8

What keeps your Michigan business in good standing?

  1. Check licenses and permits

    Michigan's Corporations Division does not issue licenses. The Bureau of Professional Licensing issues licenses for certain professions, and county and local government offices can require additional licensing or permits. 9

  2. Calendar the yearly filings

    Michigan annual statement: $25, due February 15 every year. 10 See Michigan annual report.

  3. Use free local help

    Small business advising in Michigan runs through the Michigan Small Business Development Center. 11 The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs publishes the Michigan Business Roadmap, a step-by-step list that runs from filing with the Corporations Division through taxes, unemployment insurance and licenses. 12

What it costs to start a business in Michigan

$50to file an LLC 2
$60to file a corporation's articles 3
$25for an assumed name 2
$25each year, annual report 10
152,545business applications filed in Michigan in 2025 13

Do you need a business license in Michigan?

It depends on the trade and the place. The U.S. Small Business Administration says most small businesses need a combination of licenses and permits from federal and state agencies, and that requirements and fees depend on the business activity and the issuing agency. 14 Michigan's own rule is in step 8. 9 Where to look up licenses: Michigan Business Roadmap.

How to register a business name in Michigan

QuestionMichigan
Where it is filedWith the county 1
Officecounty clerk
What it is calledassumed name

Check that the name is free first: state name search.

Also in Michigan

  • City income tax. Some Michigan cities levy a city income tax, and the Michigan Department of Treasury points businesses to the City Treasurer's office for those forms. 15
  • Unclaimed property reporting. Michigan businesses must report unclaimed property to the Michigan Department of Treasury. 16

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Common questions

What are the steps to start a business in Michigan?

Pick a structure, file with the Corporations Division, name a registered agent, get an EIN, register for state taxes with the Michigan Department of Treasury, then handle hiring, licenses, yearly filings and local help.

What does it cost to register a business in Michigan?

In Michigan, an LLC filing is $50 and a corporation's articles of incorporation are $60. The annual report is $25 each year.

Can I start a business in Michigan with no money?

Michigan charges $50 to file an LLC, and the annual report is $25 each year. An EIN is the business's federal tax ID. The IRS issues it online, for free, and warns about websites that charge for one. The Michigan Small Business Development Center offers small business consulting, tools and resources to Michigan owners at no cost.

Are there small business grants in Michigan?

The U.S. Small Business Administration says it does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business; its grants go to nonprofits, resource partners and educational organizations.

What is the Michigan SBDC?

The Michigan Small Business Development Center offers small business consulting, tools and resources to Michigan owners at no cost.

Sources 17 links, checked Nov 12, 2026
  1. DBA or trade name registration michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  2. Official state fee schedule for LLC filings michigan.gov, checked Oct 17, 2026
  3. Corporation filing michigan.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
  4. Registered agent rule michigan.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
  5. IRS: employer identification number irs.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  6. State tax registration michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  7. Unemployment insurance registration michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  8. Workers' compensation coverage michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  9. General business license michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  10. Michigan annual statement mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us, checked Sep 1, 2026
  11. Small Business Development Center michigansbdc.org, checked Nov 12, 2026
  12. State business portal michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  13. US Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (monthly file, 2025 added up) census.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  14. SBA: licenses and permits sba.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  15. City income tax michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  16. Unclaimed property reporting michigan.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026
  17. SBA: grants sba.gov, checked Nov 12, 2026

Last verified Nov 12, 2026.

This page explains the rules; it is not legal or tax advice.

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