Single Member LLC Operating Agreement Template

What Is a Single Member LLC?

LLC stands for “limited liability company,” which allows its owners to be free from any obligations and debts acquired by the company. The common set-up is called ‘multi-member LLC,’ which is comprised of different members who act like a corporation and therefore fall under a specific tax classification. However, a single-member LLC functions albeit differently.

In certain situations, the sole owner of a company may opt to make his or her business fall under the single-member or sole member LLC structure. Under this type of business, the owner may avail of a tax classification similar to multi-member LLC. However, the following are some of its differences:

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) dictates that a single-member LLC does not need to file taxes for the business itself.
• Instead, profits and losses are directly reflected on the owner’s personal tax return. Because of this, the earnings fall under “self-employment taxes” following Schedule C.
• As a single-member LLC, the business owner may choose to file an Entity Classification Election (Form 8832) and choose “corporation” so that his or her finances will be considered separate from the business itself.
• A single-member LLC also needs to pay annual state taxes, so it’s important to weigh your financial capacity and your business’s earnings before shifting to a single-member LCC.

Single Member LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship

Both the Single-Member LLC and Sole Proprietorship are owned by a single person. However, they are different concerning the following:

• Registration document – An LLC will usually have to secure more registrations and document its decisions in more detail.
• Employees – While a sole-member LLC is allowed to hire employees as a separate company, the owner of a sole proprietorship will have to secure an EIN before hiring. Otherwise, he or she may consider getting freelancers to perform some tasks.
• Bank Account – Since a single-member LLC is considered a “separate entity” from its owner, it may open a bank account under its company name. That is if the owner can provide the necessary registration document. On the other hand, the sole proprietor can only use either his or her personal account or a “Doing Business As” (DBA) trade name and therefore submit a valid identification card as a supporting document.
• Liability – In the event that the company goes bankrupt or owes a big debt, the single-member LLC owner is shielded from the consequences. However, since the sole proprietor is not considered as a separate entity from the business, he or she will be forced to shoulder the financial burden caused by the company.

Reasons to Use a Single Member LLC Operating Agreement

A single-member LLC operating agreement defines the procedures as well as the financial structure of the business. Some owners may choose to use this type of agreement because of its benefits.

Use a single-member LLC operating agreement if:

• Your business or industry is considered “high-risk” such as that of construction or manufacturing, which often face numerous lawsuits and require more funding. Through an LLC, you are personally protected from any liabilities caused by the business.
• You would like to avail of multiple tax options and schedules. While some LLC owners merge their personal tax returns with the company, and LLC actually has the option to file separately using IRS form 1120. Through this form, the LLC will be taxed like a corporation. This taxation scheme also allows the LLC member to file changes in the future using a document called IRS form 8832 to choose a corporate tax status. You may ask your LLC’s registered agent for more information about this.
• An LLC is flexible because it can be owned by an individual, multiple members, or even other companies. In an LLC, profit division and management hierarchy are fluid.
• Lastly, an LLC is considered more formal than a sole proprietorship, so it is easier to secure additional funding once your business is ready to expand.

It is critical to note, however, that starting an LLC is more expensive. This is because LLCs are registered under the state, which will require you to pay filing fees among other things. Aside from this, there are state-specific regulations that should be followed, so it is best to check the guidelines for LLCs before you file for one.

Stages of Forming a Single Member LLC

Yes, forming a single-member LLC is somewhat more difficult than being a sole proprietor of a business. However, the additional steps will help you manage your company better in the long run.

1. Choosing a Name for a Company

   Both the company name and your brand must be secured before anything else. When choosing a company name, list all the possible names that are both catchy and descriptive. Then, check online if those names are taken. You may do a quick search for websites, social media pages, or existing products that already have that specific trademark or brand. If everything’s clear, go ahead and reserve that name either through your state (usually good for 30 to 120 days) or via the online trademark registration system.

2. Completing the Articles of Organization

   The Articles of Organization is a comprehensive form that serves as your “application”. In most states, this can be done online. Before you do so, make sure you have your company’s details on hand. These include the details from the groundwork you’ve already made (your company name, the main office, managers, and “certificate of status”).

3. Making Payment for a Filing Fee

   After completing your online registration, you must pay filing fees directly to your state. This can also be done online or via a check. Depending on your state and the fees applicable to your company’s coverage and industry, you may need to pay between $50 to $800.

4. Preparing a Single-Member Operating Agreement

   Once your business is registered you may now legally add more details through a Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement. This will reflect the same information in your Articles of Incorporation. However, it will also contain additional provisions in terms of operation, finances, and other internal business concerns. Make sure you notarize this agreement.

5. Getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   In order for you to open your LLC’s bank account and file taxes, you must secure your Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS. This can be done for free via the IRS online site or by emailing them the IRS form SS-4.

What Should Be Included in the Agreement?

Use this list to see what each part of a single member LLC operating agreement is for before you start filling in the template. The parts run from company details to the signature.

• Comprehensive business information: The agreement should begin with the company name, designated main office address, as well as the nature of the business itself.
• Information about the Agent: Every state has a registry of LLC agents who directly coordinate with government offices regarding legalities and taxes for the company. Therefore, the agreement should also provide the name, contact details, and the office address of the registered agent.
• Voting Rights and Ownership: The owner of a single-member LLC operating agreement should simply write that he or she owns the entirety of the LLC business. The owner may write “100%” on the blank describing the ownership.
• Management Structure: The single-member LLC operating agreement should indicate if the company is managed by members or by managers (hierarchical). The difference between the two is the owner’s share of power. If it is member-managed, the sole “member” has 100% deciding capacity. On the other hand, if the sole member decides to appoint managers, these must be detailed in the agreement. For instance, the owner should specify each managers’ responsibility within the company.
• Option to add members: As companies grow, so does their executive team. If the current sole member foresees the need to add new members into the LLC, indicate this in the agreement. Take note, however, that this will significantly alter your company’s structure and procedures.
• Capital: Like any company, the capital should be indicated whether that may be liquid cash or assets. These should be separate from what you personally own. If, for example, a car is already under your name and would like to use it for business, you may need to execute a “deed of sale” to the company. After doing so, that is the only time you can declare that asset under the LLC.
• Financial aspect: Describe your LLC’s capital contributions, financial projection, schedule of payments or salary, as well as how profits will be divided in the future. By adding this section in your agreement, you are showing tax agencies that your LLC’s profit is different from your personal income.
• Successor: Your “Plan B” should always be ready for any problematic situations such as the sole owner’s incapacity or death. Because of the unique structure of a single-member LLC, the operating agreement should contain the “successor” to the business. Your investors will also want to know how such a transition will take place.
• State: Since every state has a different set of guidelines for LLCs, it is important that your sole member operating agreement specifies its governing authority.
• Signature: Lastly, sign the sole member operating agreement. It is highly recommended to have witnesses to this, since you are the only member. You may do this in the presence of your registered agent and a notary public as well.

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Filling out the Single Member LLC Operating Agreement

Follow these steps to fill out FormsPal’s free single member LLC operating agreement template. They follow the order of the form, and each step names the part of the form where your answer goes. Download the PDF from the box at the top of this page, or create the document online.

The screenshots under each step show the FormsPal Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement template filled with sample entries in blue, so you can see where each answer goes. The names, addresses, dates and amounts are examples only.

1. Enter the company name in the title. Type the full legal name of your LLC on the line under “OPERATING AGREEMENT OF” at the top of page 1.

   

2. Name, state of formation, date and the member signing. In the first paragraph, enter the LLC name again, the state where it was formed, the day and month of the agreement, and the name of the sole member who is executing it. The year in that date line is printed on the form as 2021, so check it before you use the form. Make sure that your company is registered in your state and acknowledged by the IRS.

   

3. Filing state, filing date and the LLC statute. Enter the state where the Articles of Organization were filed, the date they were filed, and the name of that state's LLC statute in the reference line. Write the specific state LLC law that governs your company (e.g. “Limited Liability Company Law of New York, Articles 1 to 14”). Add the State name again to indicate that your single-member LLC will abide by its laws. Lastly, the LLC must also once again write the state that acts as the LLC’s governing body. As the owner, it is crucial for you to check legal guidelines in advance.

   

4. Sections 1 to 3: name, office and registered agent.

   The same information as step three will be required, so input the following in order:

   • The LLC name in Section 1
   • The principal business office address in Section 2
   • The name and address of the registered agent in Section 3

   

5. Section 6: purposes. Check one box. Either describe the business activity on the line, or check the general-purpose box. The LLC operating agreement must state the exact purpose of its registration, whether that be to specifically provide a service or sell a necessary product. Once you finalize the purpose of your LLC business, add that to the first blank. Following this, the operating agreement will also contain a short sentence that explains how it will be allowed to engage in any legal business-related transactions. There is usually no need to change this statement.

   

6. Section 8(a): initial number of managers. Enter how many managers the company will start with on the blank in Section 8(a). Operating agreements under a single-member LLC will usually find no difficulty in explaining who holds the power in the company. Unlike multi-member LLCs, an SMLLC gives its full authority to the sole owner. If the single member is manager-managed, the owner must also indicate their level of authority and obligations by listing their responsibilities.

   

7. Section 8(g): manager compensation, first option. Start the Section 8(g) choice at the bottom of page 3. Check the first box if managers may be paid expenses or a fixed sum for attending meetings. The second box is on page 4.

   

8. Section 8(g) second option and Section 9: officers. On page 4, check the second 8(g) box if there will be no compensation or reimbursement. Under Section 9, check the box for no officers or the box for having officers. Choose only one box in each pair.

   

9. Section 15: fiscal year. Enter the date the fiscal year starts and the date it ends in the two blanks.

   

10. Section 30: effective date. Enter the date the Articles of Organization were filed, which is when the LLC was legally formed.

    

11. Sign as member. In this next section, add the LLC name and the printed name of its one and only member. Sign on the “By” line and print your name and title below it, for example Member. Make sure that you can provide a valid I.D. that matches your name on the operating agreement.

    

12. Schedule A: Articles of Organization date. In the “Articles of Organization” definition, enter the date the entity was legally formed, matching Section 30.

    

13. Schedule B: member and initial managers. Enter the member's name and address, then list the initial managers in the lines provided. Make sure that his or her name matches a valid identification document.

    

14. Schedule B: initial officers. List the initial officers. Leave these lines blank if you checked the no-officers box in Section 9.

    

15. Schedule C: initial capital contribution. Describe what the member contributed to the company, such as cash, assets or services.

    

How to Sign and Use the Single Member LLC Operating Agreement

Once every blank in the template is filled in, a few last things remain to do with the finished agreement. Work through the steps below in order, then keep a copy of the signed agreement where you can find it later.

1. Read the liability section before you sign. Section 10 of the template is titled Limited Liability. This section also explains that the LLC’s only member is personally “not liable” for any company obligations. There is no need to change this statement.
2. Sign the agreement. A legal document is only valid once signed, so it is not surprising that the last part of the template needs to be fully acknowledged. Finally, sign on the blank provided. Because a single-member LLC cannot be counter-signed by other ‘members’ as witnesses, you can sign the document in front of a Notary Public instead. If you have a registered agent, he or she may also serve as your witness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Single Member LLC Operating Agreement?

It is a written agreement that describes how a single member LLC is run. It records who owns the company, who manages it, how the owner puts money in, and who takes over if the owner can no longer lead the company. The single member LLC template on this page is a ready-made version you can fill in.

What if a company has no single member LLC operating agreement?

Any serious business will need an operating agreement, which discloses its management structure. By listing essential information about your business, your future investors, partners, suppliers, and clients can make informed decisions. This will lead them to trust your LLC and be confident about the potential of your engagement.

Operating your business without a single-member LLC operating agreement may cause you to lose time-sensitive bidding projects or prolong otherwise easy negotiations. Having this kind of document is crucial to your business’s growth, so it’s best to secure one early on.

Can I Fill Out the Template Online?

Yes. Select Create My Document at the top of the page to answer a few questions and build the single member LLC operating agreement online. You can also download the PDF and fill it in with our online PDF editor.

What Information Should I Have Ready Before I Start?

Have these items at hand before you open the single member LLC template:

• The LLC name
• The state of formation and the filing date
• The registered agent’s name and address
• Your own name and address

The steps above show where each item goes on the form.

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Jennifer M. Settles

Author & Attorney

With over 25 years of experience as a business and transactional attorney, Jennifer has mastered the craft of closing highly successful deals for her clients. Through her wide-ranging expertise in commercial contracts, real estate transactions, M&A and corporate law, Jennifer secures results that are second-to-none.