What Is Harbor Compliance?
Harbor Compliance helps users form and manage their businesses with a variety of services such as business formation, licensing, corporate life cycle management and registered agent services. Additionally, it offers self-managed, fully managed and hybrid business formation and management options giving businesses the flexibility to choose the option that best suits their needs.
How Harbor Compliance Works
Harbor Compliance provides various services to assist businesses in complying with state and federal regulations. Its cloud-based software gives customers the most current access to filing obligations, applications, procedures and secretary of state registrations for all U.S. states. Businesses can use its software to centralize formation, licensing and tax management, or use its managed services to outsource paperwork. It offers different service options tailored to the needs of businesses, including fully managed, self-managed and hybrid services.
Its software provides automated alerts and renewal reminders, and its team of specialists manages the complete range of secretary of state filings. Additionally, businesses can subscribe to its nationwide registered agent service, which enables same-day electronic delivery of documents, complimentary annual report notifications and access to its registered agent address.
Harbor Compliance specializes in streamlining licensing and entity management, with the goal of reducing the complexity of compliance so that businesses can concentrate on their core tasks. Its compliance solution allows businesses to maintain good standing with state and federal regulations without depleting staff hours or budget dollars.
Featured Partners
1
ZenBusiness
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
2
LegalZoom
$0 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
3
Northwest Registered Agent
$39 + State Fees
Varies By State & Package
What Sets Harbor Compliance Apart
Harbor Compliance offers a few features that set it apart from its competitors:
Compliance Calendar
This proprietary feature allows businesses to create and maintain a customized compliance calendar, which is automatically updated based on the most current regulations. This feature ensures that businesses always stay on top of their compliance obligations and avoid any penalties or fees.
Industry-Specific Licensing
Harbor Compliance provides specialized licensing services for a variety of regulated industries, including architecture, construction, energy, engineering, insurance and more. Its team of specialists navigates the complex licensing requirements of these industries, which can be invaluable for businesses operating in these sectors.
Nationwide Registered Agent Service
Harbor Compliance’s nationwide registered agent service offers same-day electronic delivery of documents and complimentary annual report notifications. Additionally, its team of specialists can expedite filings and document retrievals. This level of service and support can be valuable for businesses with multiple locations or operations in different states.
These features are ideal for businesses looking for a tailor-made compliance solution. However, whether they make Harbor Compliance “better” than its competitors is subjective and dependent on individual business needs and preferences. Nonetheless, the combination of these unique features, combined with its user-friendly software and experienced team, can make Harbor Compliance a compelling option for businesses looking for compliance solutions.
Pros
Harbor Compliance’s LLC formation can take as little as two business days, which makes it a great option for businesses looking for a simple, yet fast= solution. The company offers a variety of formation services to cater to different industries and business types. Its specialized licensing services for regulated industries, such as pharmaceutical licensing and construction, can be particularly valuable for businesses operating in these sectors. Overall, Harbor Compliance’s focus on simplifying licensing and entity management can help businesses stay compliant and move forward with confidence.
Cons
While Harbor Compliance offers plenty of business services, it has a few limitations. It doesn’t offer a free option like many of its competitors, which may be a deal-breaker for cash-strapped startups. And while no formation service is totally free, there are several that offer free filing where all you pay is the state filing fee.
Additionally, it charges for registered agent service, which some competitors offer for free in the first year. Harbor Compliance doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee or refunds, which may discourage some businesses from using its services.
Finally, it charges extra for most of its services, including Employer Identification Number (EIN) filing and amendments, which could make them less cost-effective for some businesses. If it offered bundled services, it would be more in line with the competition.
Harbor Compliance Services
Harbor Compliance offers a variety of services to help businesses set up and manage their compliance obligations. From conducting name availability searches to providing online document access, here are some of its key features.
Name Availability Search
Harbor Compliance’s Name Availability Search service helps businesses to determine if a business name is available in their chosen state. This service saves time and money by ensuring that businesses don’t waste resources pursuing a business name that is already taken. By conducting a thorough name search, businesses can avoid legal disputes and ensure that their brand identity is secure.
Incorporation Service
Harbor Compliance offers an incorporation service that helps businesses to set up a new legal entity. This service includes filing the necessary documents with the appropriate state authorities and providing guidance on the legal requirements for incorporating a business. Harbor Compliance’s team of specialists can help businesses to navigate the complex legal requirements of incorporation, ensuring that the process is efficient and accurate.
Registered Agent Services
Harbor Compliance’s nationwide registered agent service offers same-day electronic delivery of documents and complimentary annual report notifications. Its specialists can even expedite filings and document retrievals.
Online Document Access
Harbor Compliance’s Online Document Access service provides businesses with access to all their compliance-related documents online. This feature makes it easy to manage compliance-related documents and ensures that businesses have access to the documents they need when they need them. Online Document Access also allows businesses to share documents with other team members or third parties securely.
Articles of Organization
Harbor Compliance’s Articles of Organization service helps businesses to file the necessary documents to set up a new limited liability company (LLC). This service includes the preparation and filing of the Articles of Organization with the appropriate state authorities. Its team of specialists can provide guidance on the legal requirements for setting up an LLC, ensuring that businesses complete the process accurately and efficiently.
Harbor Compliance Pricing and Plans
| Cost | |
|---|---|
|
LLC Formation
|
$99
|
|
State Filing Fee
|
Varies by state
|
|
Articles of Organization
|
Included with LLC formation
|
|
Registered Agent Service
|
$89 to $99 per year
|
|
IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)
|
$99
|
|
Optional S-Corp or C-Corp Tax Election
|
$99
|
|
Labor for Not Having a U.S. SSN or TIN
|
$150
|
|
California Initial Report Service
|
$175
|
Depending on the state you’re filing in, you may have the option for expedited filing. During our review of the service, we first tested the state of Iowa, which didn’t give an option for expediting the filing. It estimates one to two business days for filing. Next, we tested California, which gave the option of five to seven business days for $0 filing fee, $350 for one business day or $750 for same-day service.
Getting Started With Harbor Compliance
The process for getting started with Harbor Compliance depends on the service or software you’re signing up for. However, filing for your LLC is easy to do. Your first step is to select the name of your LLC. If you don’t know what you want to name it, you can always change this later.
From there, select your state. Harbor Compliance will conduct a cursory search of entity names in your state and let you know if it’s available. After purchasing, it’ll conduct a more thorough search of the name database.
After stating what type of business you have, let Harbor Compliance know if you have employees or plan to have them in the next year. If available, you’ll have the option to expedite your filing, otherwise, you will only be presented with one option with a standard time frame for your state.
If you want Harbor Compliance to file for your EIN with the IRS, you can ask them to do this, though you should be aware the process for doing so is simple if you don’t want to pay them to do it. If you don’t have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN), it’s more difficult to apply for your EIN, so Harbor Compliance will charge an additional $150 on top of the $99 it charges to obtain your EIN.
If you want to file for an S-corp or C-corp tax election with the IRS, it can do this as well, for an additional cost. To obtain an LLC, you need an operating agreement. If you don’t have one, you can pay $99 for Harbor Compliance to complete it for you.
From there, complete payment and Harbor Compliance will prepare your documents, submit to your state and then send you your completed LLC documents once approved.
Customer Service and Support
Support is available via phone and email. It also has a Help Center, though it isn’t a knowledge base as one would expect. Instead, the Help Center is for you to submit a ticket, and a client service member will be in touch “as soon as possible.”
Harbor Compliance Alternatives and How They Compare
| Harbor Compliance | ZenBusiness | Incfile | Northwest Registered Agent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rating
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Pricing Starts At
|
$99
|
$0
|
$0
|
$100
|
|
Standard Processing Time
|
Varies by state
|
Varies by state
|
Three weeks
|
Varies by state
|
|
First Year of Registered Agent Service Offered Free
|
No; $99 per year
|
No; $199 per year
|
Yes
|
No; $125 per year
|
|
Ongoing Compliance Services
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Money-Back Guarantee
|
No
|
100% accuracy guarantee
|
No
|
No
|
|
Learn More
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Read Reviews
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Harbor Compliance vs. ZenBusiness
While both Harbor Compliance and ZenBusiness provide LLC formation services, they differ in pricing and guarantees. Harbor Compliance offers LLC formation starting at $99, whereas ZenBusiness offers free LLC formation services (excluding state fees). ZenBusiness also offers a 100% money-back guarantee, while Harbor Compliance does not provide a refund policy. While Harbor Compliance offers a wide variety of compliance services beyond LLC formation, including ongoing compliance management, ZenBusiness may be a more affordable and flexible option for businesses seeking a quick and simple LLC formation service.
Harbor Compliance vs. Incfile
Harbor Compliance and Incfile both offer LLC formation and ongoing compliance services, but differ in pricing and guarantees. Harbor Compliance starts at $99 for LLC formation, while Incfile offers free LLC formation services (excluding state fees).
Additionally, Incfile offers a 100% accuracy guarantee, while Harbor Compliance does not provide a refund policy or accuracy guarantee. However, Harbor Compliance offers a ton of compliance services beyond LLC formation, including foreign qualification and business license services, which may be better suited for businesses seeking a more comprehensive compliance solution.
Harbor Compliance vs. Northwest Registered Agent
Harbor Compliance and Northwest Registered Agent both provide LLC formation and ongoing compliance services, but differ in pricing and registered agent service offerings. While Harbor Compliance offers LLC formation starting at $99, Northwest Registered Agent starts at $100. Northwest Registered Agent offers a free first year of registered agent service, while Harbor Compliance charges $99 annually for this service.
While Harbor Compliance offers plenty of services for business formation and compliance, including business license services and charitable registration, Northwest Registered Agent may be a better option for businesses seeking a more affordable LLC formation service with a free first year of registered agent service.
Who Is Harbor Compliance Best For?
Harbor Compliance’s LLC formation service is ideal for businesses looking for a straightforward and simple process for registering their business. Its ongoing compliance services, such as business license management, tax management and entity management, are valuable for businesses seeking a comprehensive solution for their compliance needs. Additionally, its variety of compliance services for regulated industries, such as financial services, can be beneficial for businesses in these sectors.
Our Expert Take
In our expert opinion, Harbor Compliance is a solid choice for businesses looking for a comprehensive compliance solution. Its online LLC formation service is easy to use and competitively priced provided you don’t need a ton of services, and its ongoing compliance services offer a host of options for businesses seeking to manage their compliance obligations. The company’s expertise in state-specific compliance requirements and nationwide network of offices can be valuable for businesses looking to expand their operations across multiple states or countries.
However, it’s important to note that Harbor Compliance doesn’t offer a free LLC formation option and charges for registered agent service, which some of its competitors offer for free in the first year. It doesn’t offer any bundled packages, so you’re paying à la carte prices for each thing you need. Despite these drawbacks, we believe that Harbor Compliance’s variety of services, expertise and customer support make it a viable option for those who want to let someone else handle the paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Harbor Compliance offer a money-back guarantee?
No, Harbor Compliance does not offer a money-back guarantee or refunds.
What are the pricing options for Harbor Compliance?
The pricing for Harbor Compliance’s services varies depending on the type of service and the state in which you are located. For example, its LLC formation service starts at $99 plus state fees.
What industries does Harbor Compliance provide specialized licensing for?
Harbor Compliance provides specialized licensing for a range of regulated industries, including architecture, cause marketing, construction, employment, energy, engineering, financial services, insurance, land surveying, charitable solicitation, security and transportation.
