ZenBusiness
Is This Your Business?0.0
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Author: Jenna Vasquez
ZenBusiness is a trusted partner for business owners who want a solution to the challenges of starting, running, and growing a business. ZenBusiness uses technology and automation to provide fast and low-cost services, expert support, and a personalized dashboard that gives you access to everything you need.
The company's primary goal is to "Make the dream of starting a new business accessible to everyone across the country by offering low-cost formation, discounted business services, and expert support."
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Mid-Range Pricing
- Personalized Dashboard
- Worry-Free Compliance Service
- Registered Agent Service
- Pay-It-Forward Project
Mid-Range Pricing
ZenBusiness is extremely upfront and transparent about its packages and pricing. Although ZenBusiness is not the cheapest option in the market, it certainly is not the most expensive.
- ZenBusiness's Starter package is only $49 + state filing fees.
- The Pro Package costs $199 + state filing fees.
- The Premium Package costs $299 + state filing fees.
Personalized Dashboard
ZenBusiness is all about making things convenient for entrepreneurs. So, instead of having business owners visit several websites a day, ZenBusiness brings everything into one easy-to-use dashboard. The dashboard is helpful as it allows you to check on the status of different documents and reports and receive alerts when something needs your attention.
Worry-Free Compliance Service
ZenBusiness clients can add the Worry-Free Compliance service to their filing package.
After ZenBusiness has filed your business documents and the state has confirmed your business, you'll need to stay up-to-date and in good standing to avoid penalties or fines. ZenBusiness's compliance service will send out alerts for important deadlines and monitor your business status with the state.
The company will also handle the annual filings and up to two changes to your filing documents each year (this is a $250 value). Your only worry is covering the state filing fees. If you miss a deadline or forget to file a report, ZenBusiness will provide you with a detailed action plan that will tell you how to get back into good standing.
ZenBusiness's compliance service is just $119 per year.
Registered Agent Service
All ZenBusiness incorporation packages include a registered agent service. Although ZenBusiness doesn't offer this service for free, it's only $99 per year.
Some companies will offer a registered agent service for free (generally for 6 months or up to 1 year), but after the first year, you can expect to pay over $100 per year for this service.
$99 per year is a reasonable price for such an essential service. Acting as your registered agent, ZenBusiness will accept and store your important legal documents in your dashboard.
Pay-It-Forward Project
ZenBusiness is a Public Benefit Corporation. The company believes in giving back and strives to revolutionize forming a business, so more people can achieve their dreams (and boost the economy). As such, ZenBusiness partnered with Kiva.org and started a Pay-It-Forward project.
Kiva is an international nonprofit whose mission is to provide underserved communities with financial access. Kiva does this by crowdfunding loans and unlocking capital.
The Pay-It-Forward project selects random women-owned and minority-owned businesses in the United States to loan money to each year.
The Bad
- EIN Fee
- Cancellations, Holds, and Fees
EIN Fee
ZenBusiness charges $70 for a Tax ID Number (or an EIN). This number is from the IRS and makes it possible to open a bank account, hire employees, and protect personal assets.
However, you can apply for an EIN through the IRS for free. Keep in mind that ZenBusiness will prepare and digitally file your EIN with the IRS with the Pro and Premium plan.
Cancellations, Holds, and Fees
ZenBusiness charges you for service and filing fees. What you might not have known was the ZenBusiness might place a $100 hold on your payment until the full-service and filing fees are determined.
Also, keep in mind that once ZenBusiness has submitted your business for filing with the state, you cannot ask for a refund or dispute the fees. Suppose you contact ZenBusiness before it has submitted your business with the state. In that case, you may be refunded (minus a $25 cancellation fee) and any other expenses that have been paid or incurred by ZenBusiness.
Once payment has been sent to the state, ZenBusiness cannot accept any cancellations or any other state filing changes.
Additionally, ZenBusiness cannot accept cancellation requests made by phone, so you'll need to email the company to initiate the process.
The Bottom Line
ZenBusiness is a great choice as it offers competitive pricing and several optional features/services. The company does a great job of displaying its information clearly and precisely; you don't feel overwhelmed by the amount of information on ZenBusiness's website.
If you plan on going with ZenBusiness' Starter package, keep in mind that you might need to get an EIN. While the company offers this for $70, we recommend going straight to the IRS's website and getting one for free. This does require a bit more legwork from you, but you'll save $70.
