December 25, 2017 Posted in Moving Essentials
Eva Johnson

Digital nomad born in New York but currently living online, Eva knows everything there is to know about packing and moving.

Moving a Business to Another State – Things to Know

Moving a business to another state is a huge step that requires careful planning. It might be a good idea to hire reliable professional long-distance movers, especially if you are moving cross-country. Specialized companies would know all the regulations which need to be followed when relocating. Before making this decision, you also need to consider the impact on your profit.

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Relocating your office might be good for the business

To move a business to another state, you should research the new market, laws, and regulations. Find out about local resources such as banks and suppliers, and consider setting up utilities and finding housing for employees. Then, review everything from leases to supplier agreements – and assess how moving will impact them. You’ll need to determine if any must be terminated or transferred and make these arrangements in advance. You’ll need to check which licenses from your current state will apply, and consider applying for temporary permits. Finally, communicate any changes by informing employees and customers of any changes.

Important Steps for Moving a Business to Another State

There are several steps you can make when relocating your business or LLC to another state, regardless of what are your reasons to move. You can file your enterprise as a foreign company and keep the existing one. Another option is to form a separate enterprise, acquiring all the assets and liabilities of the old one and then closing the one originally formed. Or follow one of the best long-distance relocation tips for entrepreneurs – merge the old one with the one you will form.

Before You Invest in Long-Distance Moving Services, Understand the Legal Conditions to Leave

When it comes to moving small businesses, entrepreneurs have the easiest time in terms of process. The sole thing they have to do is register a company or LLC in another state, the same way they did the first time.

A corporation that wishes to move states, on the other hand, has it a bit more complicated because there are a lot of things to consider when relocating to a new state. The same goes for those considering where to move from Los Angeles and settle on the East Coast or those who want to live in Boston so they want to transfer their enterprise there. A corporation can opt between registering as an alien entity in the other state, closing the shop in the previous location before opening it again in the other location, or merging the two. Just to be clear, none of the three is simple, so let’s go into some detail about them.

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Tips for Moving Your Business to Another State

When you register a company or LLC in any of the States, it will always be written down that it’s registered there. If you decide to move, be it for reasons of tax or you just want to explore different options, your business won’t magically relocate in the administration’s mountains of legal documents. There are a couple of ways to transfer your enterprise, so ensure you write it down on your relocating to another state checklist.

Filing a Foreign Entity

This option is the most favorable one. It means that your enterprise is filed as a foreign corporation but stays registered in the state where it was originally formed. So it will not be a different enterprise but rather a foreign company in another state. This is the cheapest and quickest way to set up a new enterprise.

Forming a New Enterprise in a Different State

Forming a distinct company is the most popular option for businessmen who do not want to consult an attorney. They just abandon the previous enterprise and start over. A fresh start may be good but this way you lose any credit your enterprise may have established previously. Also, there are procedures to follow if you want to close an enterprise legally and avoid penalties.

Merging the Old Company into a New Enterprise

This option helps you save the Federal Employer Identification Number FEIN of the old company. However, it costs more because you will have to form and register a new enterprise and dissolve the previous one, along with filing “Articles of Merger” which entails certain fees in the future state.

Moving an LLC Is Like Relocating a Corporation In Terms of Tax

Just like corporations, LLCs (Limited Liability Companies) have similar options. They can continue their work in the previous state and register it abroad as a foreign enterprise, but they have to duplicate their annual report and/or franchise tax fees and face more complicated tax filing. Furthermore, they can liquidate the old LLC without any federal tax consequences and form a new one. Another possibility is merging the existing LLC into a new one, without any immediate tax consequences if members from the old state continue to own at least 50% interest in the LLC.

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Moving a small firm or a corporation between the states takes time, but in doing so you’ll make it all legal and properly registered.

Worries Related to Moving Your Business to a New Location

Relocating a business or LLC is often instigated by the necessity to lower costs or provide a better life for the owners and employees. However, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome, such as:

  • finding adequate working space
  • coordinating staff
  • obtaining licenses
  • applying for taxes and other incentives
  • informing customers before the moving day

And finally, when you figured out the best time of the year to move as well as where you should move the company, you get to organize the relocation process, which is not an easy task, especially if you are not very familiar with the future environment.

The decision to register a firm in other states doesn’t only concern you. As an entrepreneur, you may be the sole responsible person and the only one involved, but with limited liability or a corp, it’s not so. There are investors and shareholders, and they all have a stake in the future, so be sure that doing the relocation serves their interests too.

Cost and Taxes You Should Think About Before Cross-Country Moving and Relocating a Business

Investing in packing services to pack all the equipment and pack furniture, opening businesses, storing items, and relocating your family and your employees can all cost you a lot of money. This is especially true if you need international shipping. Not to mention auto transport if you need to transport your car across the country. If you already know how moving alone to another state is complicated, keep in mind that this is ten times more complex, and moving stress is on another level.

Closing the original company and forming a new one also brings fees and potential tax increases, and the same applies to mergers. Taxes can also have a huge impact on your profit, so you need to get to know the tax situation in the future location and find out which locations offer certain credits.

Make no common moving mistakes, relocating a business, even a small one, is a pricey undertaking and time-consuming, but it’s in a way given that you wouldn’t be doing it in the first place if there’s no estimation that it’ll bring profit. It may differ throughout the states, but as long it’s there, all is well. You can always hire reputable and highly recommended cross-country movers who know all packing tips and tricks during the cheapest time of the year to move and lower relocation expenses. Remember to save up on packing materials for moving by obtaining free boxes.

What Should You Expect in the Future – Customers and Growth Capabilities

Have you ever wondered– “what should I expect after moving my business to another state?” Obviously, your relocation adventure will impact your customers, too, especially if you are relocating farther away (for instance – from New York to one of the suburbs of Chicago). In that respect, you need to consider who your biggest clients are and evaluate the risks accordingly. Maybe it is not worth it to plan your moving budget and move if you risk losing your clients.

Furthermore, you will obviously want to expand your business. But in the long term, it depends on the available resources at your future location, so make sure to conduct a study of long-term development options, both in the field of market demand and the labor pool available.

Whether the profit is the sole reason for your decision to relocate your small business or LLC out of state or you’re doing it for any other reason, make sure that the process is conducted properly. The best option is to pay an attorney so that you can be sure that all the legal shenanigans are done and your business registered as it should be.

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Get everything you need and avoid having any problems.

The Final Goal of Moving a Company to Another State Is to Expand Your Business

Expanding your business is usually what you have in mind when you move to another location. Even if you donate unwanted items and move into a smaller place first to reduce the costs of moving, the goal is to grow and prosper. To have a solid basis for such an evaluation, you need to conduct a thorough study of the potential the place has to offer, both in the field of market demand and human resources. In the long term, your enterprise will have the ability to expand only if all the prerequisites are in place.

By expanding into a new area, you can expect an influx of new customers, increased opportunities for customer growth, and an overall boost in potential profits. With a successful move, your company will be able to tap into new markets, strengthen existing relationships and establish a larger presence in the industry. Investing in cross-country moving services and relocating your company to another state can lead to a wealth of possibilities and is essential for the success and growth of any business.

FAQ

How Should I Handle Taxes and Other Financial Obligations During the Move?

Handling taxes and other financial obligations during the move can be a complicated task. Before you begin, make sure to research the tax laws of your new state to ensure you remain compliant. Additionally, contact any creditors or lenders associated with your current location, as well as those in your new area, to discuss any changes that need to be made regarding accounts and payments. Finally, if applicable, contact the local department of motor vehicles in both states to update insurance and registration information for company vehicles. Taking the time to make all necessary changes ahead of time will help ease the stress of moving and avoid potential penalties later on.

How Do I Update My Business Address and Contact Information With the Government and Other Important Organizations?

To update your business address and contact information with the government and other important organizations, you should reach out to each individual organization separately. The process for updating contact details varies between different entities, so be sure to review their specific requirements. Depending on the type of company you have, you may need to register in the new state or amend your current registration with an updated address. Additionally, you may need to obtain a new business license or permit depending on local regulations. Once these steps are completed, make sure to inform the IRS of any name and address changes as soon as possible.

How Do I Handle the Relocation of My Employees and Their Families?

Relocating your employees and their families can be a stressful task, but there are steps you can take to make the process smoother. The first and most important step is to provide ample notice to those affected by the move. This should include details about the timeline for relocating and any assistance that may be provided by the company. You should also consider providing financial assistance if necessary, such as covering a portion of travel expenses and offering temporary housing until they find permanent living arrangements in the new area. Additionally, it’s important to stay in touch with employees throughout the moving process and offer support when needed.

How Can I Ensure the Continuity of My Business During and After the Move?

Ensuring the continuity of your business during and after a move is essential to minimizing disruption. Start by establishing a timeline for when various tasks need to be completed and assign responsibility for each task to a specific person. You should also research cross-country moving companies to find reliable long-distance movers who can handle the relocation without any major delays. As part of your move, take inventory of all existing supplies and equipment so you know what needs to be transported. Make sure that all important documents are backed up and securely transferred between offices. Additionally, create a communication plan to ensure that clients, vendors, and other stakeholders are aware of the progress of relocation.

What Kind of Insurance Coverage Should I Have in Place to Protect My Business During the Move?

There are a few different types of insurance coverage that can be beneficial during a business move. First, consider getting moving insurance to protect against any damage that may occur during transport. You should also look into business interruption insurance, which can help cover lost income in the event that your business is forced to close due to the move. Finally, make sure that your general liability insurance policy is up to date and covers any potential accidents or injuries that could occur during the relocation process.

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