What is a Series LLC?

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Under Delaware law, a limited liability company (LLC) may be composed of an individual series of membership interests. This type of entity is referred to as the Delaware series LLC. Each series is effectively treated as a separate entity, meaning the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses of one series cannot be enforced against another series of the LLC or against the LLC as a whole.

Few types of business entities have attracted as much interest from people as the Delaware series LLC. Today, less than half of the U.S. states allow you to form a Series LLC, with Delaware being the first to popularize the entity.

What Is a Series LLC?

The first series LLC was devised by some of Delaware's top lawyers and was formally introduced in the state of Delaware in 1996. The purpose of the Delaware series LLC is to form a unique entity that consists of separate, individual interests. Under Delaware law, each series can hold its own assets, have its own members, conduct its own operations and pursue different business objectives, yet remain insulated from claims of members, creditors or litigants pursuing the assets of, or asserting claims against, another series.

When it comes to this type of business entity, it's not a matter of series LLC vs LLC, but rather a question of whether or not your LLC would benefit from siloed units within the business. The Delaware series LLC is a collection of individual series—this notion has been likened to a honeycomb. It can be illustrated as follows:

delaware Series LLC

What Is a Delaware Series LLC Used For?

It serves many purposes, but it is typically utilized by real estate investors who own several properties and companies that own multiple brands.

Do Series LLCs Need a Registered Agent?

Yes. Just like any other LLC, your Delaware Series Limited Liability Company will also need a Registered Agent. However, a common misconception is that each series will need to have its own Registered Agent. A single Registered Agent can represent the entire company. Harvard Business Services, Inc. can act as the Delaware Registered Agent for your series LLC.
 
What States Allow Series LLCs?Not every state recognizes or allows for the formation of a series LLC. The state where you form a series LLC are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. If you don't live in one of the these states, you can form a series LLC in Delaware.
 
How to Form a Series LLC in Delaware
The process of forming a series LLC is quite similar to forming a regular LLC. You just need to provide the name of the company, basic contact information and we will prepare and file the Certificate of Formation with the State of Delaware.

Once the initial steps are complete, your series LLC will need to draft an LLC Operating Agreement and obtain an EIN.

 

Can you Change an LLC to a Series LLC?

Yes. If you already have an established LLC, you can convert your LLC into a Series LLC. To accomplish this, here are few things that will need to be done:

1. Contact Harvard Business Services, Inc. to file an amendment to your Delaware Certificate of Formation to include your company's ability to create different series. Refer to Chapter 18, Section 215 of Delaware code for more information.

2. Next, many of our clients will reach out to an attorney familiar with Series LLCs to make any necessary changes to your LLC Operating Agreement.

3. Finally, clients will often reach out to an attorney to help keep all assets between each series and maintain records separately.

Can a Series LLC Be an S-Corp?Yes, a series LLC can be taxed as an S corporation. You can apply for S-corp tax status by filing form 2553 with the IRS. You can learn more about Delaware S-Corp Tax Status on our website.

Does Each Series of a Series LLC Need its Own EIN?

Generally, the parent entity in the Series LLC will obtain a Federal Tax ID Number (EIN) as it is the Social Security Number (SSN) for the company. As far as if each series needs to have its own Tax ID Number (EIN) it would be best to speak with an attorney or accountant for more information.

Does Delaware Require Franchise Tax Reports for Each Series of a Series LLC?

Delaware does not require a franchise tax report for each series of a Series LLC. A Series LLC in Delaware is treated as a single entity, so you only have to pay one Franchise Tax of $300 per year, due every year on June 1st, instead of each individual series of a Series LLC paying $300 per year.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Forming a Delaware Series LLC?

While a Series LLC is a flexible entity that offers several benefits, there are some drawbacks associated with it.

Pros:

  • Low start-up cost: Only one LLC needs to be formed with the state of Delaware. The series within the LLC are then formed internally via the series LLC's Operating Agreement.
  • One Franchise Tax payment: No matter how many series are in your series LLC, the single entity owes just one annual Franchise Tax payment of $300 to the state of Delaware. If you were to form individual LLCs instead, you would need to pay a Franchise Tax of $300 for each LLC. 
  • One Registered Agent Fee: The state of Delaware requires that all Delaware companies maintain a Delaware Registered Agent. (Please visit our Registered Agent page for more information.) Since the series LLC is one entity, only one annual Registered Agent Fee is due. If you were to form multiple LLCs, you would need to pay a Registered Agent Fee for each LLC.
  • Legal separation: Each series is typically supposed to be treated as a separate entity with its own assets, members and operations. The debts, liabilities and obligations of one typically cannot be enforced against another series, or the series LLC as a whole. Therefore, if one series is involved in a legal dispute, the others can typically keep operating.

Cons:

  • It's legally untested: A Series LLC's unique structure has not been tested in court. Even if each series maintained separate records, assets and liabilities, a court in another jurisdiction could decide to ignore the legal separation granted by Delaware law.
  • Uncertain taxes in other jurisdictions: Some states charge annual fees for each series within the LLC when the series LLC operates as a foreign LLC in their jurisdiction. California, for example, charges $800 per series for foreign series LLCs.
  • Difficulty obtaining separate EINs: Since each series is separate from the others, series LLC owners typically want to obtain a Federal Tax ID Number (also known as an EIN) for each series. However, clients have reported difficulty in doing so.
  • Banks can't comprehend it: Many banks are unfamiliar with the series LLC and therefore often have difficulty understanding that each series can open its own bank account.
  • Attorneys and accountants are unfamiliar with it: Many attorneys and accountants are also unfamiliar with the Series LLC and cannot offer adequate counsel.
  • Many states do not recognize the series LLC: Many states don't recognize a series LLC and treat it as an individual LLC.
  • The IRS has not determined how it should be taxed: The United States federal tax treatment afforded to individual series is uncertain. Essentially, the IRS does not know how to tax each individual series LLC, often making it difficult to file yearly income taxes.

[Please note: As of August 2019, Delaware has amended its Series LLC law. All information in this article pertains to what is now known as a Protected Series LLC, as opposed to the newly introduced Registered Series LLC.]

We are a document filing specialist and business formation company. We are neither attorneys nor accountants, and this information should not be considered legal or accounting advice.

If you have more questions about the Delaware series LLC, please contact us via live chat, Skype (DelawareInc), telephone (800-345-7400) or email.

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Recorded in December, 2020

Since 1981, Harvard Business Services, Inc. has helped form 430,838 Delaware corporations and LLCs for people all over the world.

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