Incfile Review: Is Incfile a Good Choice? (April 2024)

This review will concentrate on what you need to know about Incfile.

Incfile’s LLC formation services

Is Incfile a Good Choice for You and Your Business?

Our findings are summarized below.

Incfile Review: Advantages and Disadvantages

Incfile provides various services to assist you in forming an LLC and running your business.

Incfile Review: Price Comparison

Pricing for Their Popular Plans
Incfile vs. Other Leading Formation Services Popular Plans

Service	Basic LLC Formation with One Year of Registered Agent Service
Northwest Registered Agent Editor’s Choice 2022!	$225  $39 Discounted price for our readers!
Incfile	$149
ZenBusiness	$299
BetterLegal	$389
LegalZoom	$328
Swyft Filings	$299

Note: Incfile can help you get your business off the ground. They take care of all the legalities involved in forming a company. Incfile is not an accounting firm or a law firm. As a result, they cannot provide legal advice or other legal services. If you need help forming an LLC, you should speak with an attorney.

Incfile Review: Business Formation Pricing and Packages

The services of Incfile can be accessible through a three-tiered selection of formation packages.

The package pricing for Incfile are as follows:

• Silver Package is $0
• Gold Package is $149
• Platinum Package is $299

State filing fees are extra.

The Silver Plan from Incfile is the most basic service available

Its low cost of $0 is challenging to beat, and it includes a year of free registered agent service.

• The Silver plan from Incfile $0 in addition to state fees:
• Your company’s articles of incorporation are prepared and filed with the secretary of state in your state.
• For one year, Incfile’s registered agent service is free.
• Please note that an operating agreement is not included in this package. It is critical to the operation of any firm.

The gold plan of Incfile is as follows: $149 plus state fee:

The Incfile Gold Plan includes more features than the Silver Plan. It’s a considerable improvement over the Silver plan. New business owners are likely to profit greatly from these services. Others will not.

The Incfile Gold plan includes all of the Silver level’s features plus:

• Drafting an Operating Agreement: An LLC’s operating agreement defines its structure. They detail what the LLC accomplishes, who makes up its membership, and how revenues are allocated. Many states require that you have a written Operating Agreement. This is a necessary document.
• Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your company: An EIN can be considered a company’s social security number.
• Drafting a banking resolution: A banking resolution is a document that authorizes a corporation to open a bank account. You’ll need one if you want to open a business account.
• Incfile Lifetime Company Alerts will keep you informed about forthcoming filing deadlines and the status of documents sent to federal or state authorities.
• Dashboard for Online Access: The online dashboard for Incfile makes it simple to check order statuses and examine any papers you’ve already prepared.
• Support through phone and email is unrestricted. The gold version includes unlimited telephone and email help, but it’s unclear how this varies from Incfile’s customer service.
• Some small firms may benefit from S-corporations, but not all. Filing IRS Form 2553. This service, also known as an S-Corp Election, may not be appropriate for everyone, but it may be helpful for individuals who want to form an S-Corp rather than an LLC.
• One of Incfile’s banking partners offers a Business Banking Account.
• Through a third party, Incfile offers a free one-time business tax consultation.
• When you first establish your firm, they can answer the most fundamental tax questions.

The Gold plan from Incfile is a solid choice for most business owners.

It includes everything you’ll need to get your LLC up and running professionally.

The Platinum Plan from Incfile is $299 plus state fees.

The Platinum Plan from Incfile offers all of the features of the Gold Plan plus a few additional.

• This plan appears to be overpriced and not worth twice the price.
• Contract templates, domain names, and business email services can all be purchased for less elsewhere.
• About 30 contract templates are included in Incfile. It will be easy to create documents more quickly due to this.
• Expedited Filing: To get your business up and running faster, you can expedite your file with your state’s Secretary of State office.
• The platinum bundle from Incfile includes a domain name and corporate email.
• Setting up a business website is not included in this plan.

Incfile does not charge a flat cost for its core bundles unlike its competitors. All you have to do is make a single payment. Some services, such as opening a company bank account or obtaining an EIN, must be completed only once. Others, such as the construction of company notifications, are ongoing. Company compliance reminders are given for life.

The registered agent service offered by Incfile is included in all of its packages. Later on, you’ll learn more about what it is and why you might need it.

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Incfile Reviews on Better Business Bureau

In early January 2022, Incfile had 936 customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau website with a total rating of 4.5/5. 

Incfile Review: Customer Service

Incfile’s customer services seem to have many problems.

The company offers phone support from Monday to Friday, 9 – 6 CST. If possible, we would also like to see weekend phone support, at least on Saturday for half a day would be good.

Incfile mentioned that it had recently worked to increase its customer support options. They also note that they have increased the number of customer support employees by 2/3 and now offer an interactive help option and live chat.

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The registered agent service will cost $119 each year after the first year.

This price is comparable to Incfile’s competitors’

Which package gives you the best bang for your buck?

If you want a genuinely bare-bones form service, we recommend the Silver package ($0 + state costs).

Incfile’s registered agent service is included with a year with this package.

The only other service that gives this excellent deal is Inc Authority.

The silver packaging is as straightforward as they come.

It doesn’t even contain a form for an operating contract, which many services include as part of their basic package.

The gold bundle is recommended if you want to build a serious business.

Some services, like EIN registration, are not included in the bundle.

It’s simple and free to register for an EIN online. Banking resolution, a corporate bank account, an operating agreement, and lifetime alerts are great additions.

The increased expense of the Platinum Package does not appear to be justified.

It is feasible to get a domain name and email services for less money if you work with specialists.

It’s critical to realize that Incfile only registers domain names. They are not in the business of making websites for you.

The templates are helpful if you plan to use them frequently, but they are not required. Many more templates are available at a reduced cost.

Add-on or one-time services, such as filing/submission to federal agencies or states, are detailed in Incfile’s policy. It adds that an order is ordinarily refundable, less a $35 cancellation fee unless payment is collected by any government entity (often within twenty-four hours after it is placed).

If you cancel fast, you will be charged $30.

It’s not ideal, especially for individuals expecting to pay $0 for their LLC or incorporation services (plus any expenses).

You should also be aware that most yearly services are automatically renewed, so you must act promptly if you want to cancel.

You will not be able to earn a prorated refund if you discontinue your service early. Your money is non-refundable once you’ve paid for the whole year of service.

We would like it if company cancellation and refund policies were more easily accessible and understandable.

Incfile vs. LegalZoom Comparison Table

	Incfile	LegalZoom
Basic Formation	$149	$178
Registered Agent (standalone)	$119/yr (first year free)	$249/yr
Formation, Operating Agreement, EIN	$149	$427

Incfile’s Strengths & Weaknesses

Incfile’s Strengths

The primary advantages and downsides of Incfile are discussed below.

Although not exhaustive, this list should be sufficient to help you decide whether Incfile is correct for you.

1. Unbeatable LLC formation pricing

It’s difficult to top zero-dollar filings.

Even if they are bare-bones, you can find operating agreement templates online.

The ultra-light bundle can be the best option if you want to use other services as part of your operating agreement.

Free Incfile LLC

The Gold Plan from Incfile, which we suggest to all first-time entrepreneurs, presently has the best pricing comparable to ZenBusiness.

Documents are frequently given to state authorities within one day, according to Incfile.

For the price, it’s an excellent turnaround time.

All of Incfile’s basic services are likewise reasonably priced.

The registered agent service costs $119 per year after the first year of free service.

It is comparable to the prices of competitors.

The costs for Incfile’s DBA/Fictitious Name, Certificate of Authority, and business license research services are all lower than or equal to those of its competitors.

Specialist firms may provide services such as trademark registration at a lower cost.

2. Quick Response Time

Incfile claims that your LLC documentation will nearly always reach state officials within a business day regardless of the charge.

Incfile does not charge an extra cost to prioritize your documents within their internal system, which we appreciate.

Once the Articles of Organization have been submitted, Incfile can no longer handle the situation.

On their website, Incfile has a helpful tool that illustrates how long it takes for states to process an LLC’s application.

The majority of states require two to three weeks to process an LLC application.

The program also shows you the cost of expedited filing times in each state, as well as how quickly your expedited application will be accepted.

Most states need 2-5 business days to process.

3. A user-friendly online dashboard

There can be a lot of moving factors when forming an LLC.

Multiple forms must be submitted to various agencies and on multiple schedules.

Keeping track of this start-up work can be difficult, especially if your main emphasis is on establishing your new firm.

Online Dashboard for Incfile

Incfile customers have immediate access to an online dashboard that displays order statuses and crucial deadlines. It also includes a list of stores where papers have been previously prepared and submitted.

Your custom-built business management dashboard will send you not only email and text notifications but also “order updates and compliance alarms.”

The online dashboard of Incfile offers several valuable tools that will assist you in forming and maintaining compliance.

4. Ease of use

Most users will find Incfile’s UI to be basic and intuitive.

Forming an LLC (or any other sort of business) is simple and only requires a few procedures.

There will be no price hikes at checkout because Incfile’s pages will auto-populate rates based on where you file.

Additional, one-time services such as a name change/amendment and a license lookup are also simple to order.

These services are available through Incfile in a convenient and easy-to-understand style.

The overall navigation of Incfile’s website (Incfile.com) is also simple.

Their website is simple to use and obtain the information or order forms you require.

Incfile’s Weaknesses

Incfile, in our opinion, has to improve in these areas.

1. Customer feedback has been mixed.

On their Reviews & Customer Service Page, Incfile touts their 4-star rating.

Other sites, like Approved Shopper, have a 4.8/5 rating for Incfile.

Incfile told us that they had maintained an A+ rating with the BBB for 16 years, but that processing times were slow in 2020 due to covid and government delays, but they are currently improving. This had an impact on their BBB rating. The Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) website does not provide ratings. It merely mentions that the accreditation was revoked in September 2020.

2. Incfile offers refunds and cancellations, but we would prefer to see more clarity.

3. Customer service is average.

Customers have conflicting feelings about Incfile’s customer service.

The company claims to provide phone service from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.

Weekend phone support hours would be excellent in most circumstances.

Incfile recently expanded its customer assistance options, according to the company.

They also note that they have added a live chat and an interactive help option and increased the number of customer care staff by two.

Enhancements to Incfile’s Customer Service

These adjustments may improve Incfile customer service in the future, even though the term “doubling” isn’t exactly obvious — going from one to two customer support reps is technically doubling!

The price point for each service will be included in parenthesis in Incfile (including state fees).

$0 – $299 for a business formation

Forming a Business LLC using Incfile

Even something as fundamental as organizing an LLC can be difficult.

You may waste time attempting to figure out the process on your own.

If you prefer to do it yourself, an LLC creation company like Incfile is a fantastic choice.

They have the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure a seamless filing process.

Note: Check the Secretary of State’s website in your state to see if the name you choose is still available.

A free search and comparison tool is frequently available on these websites.

You might also wish to look into the TESS database at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

You can use Incfile to file your LLC online. It’s quick and straightforward. A few questions regarding your future business will be asked, such as your business name, member(s), and address.

According to Incfile, your documentation will be filed the next day.

The base package of Incfile includes free filing.

However, there is a filing charge for incorporating an LLC in every state.

The fees vary from state to state and can cost anywhere from $40 to $500. As soon as the desired filing state is specified, Incfile instantly populates the checkout pricing tab. Because this is the first phase, you’ll know exactly how much your total cost will be.

After you’ve provided all of the appropriate paperwork to the state, you’ll have to wait for them to be processed.

The amount of time it takes to process documents varies based on where they are located, and the year they were created.

Note: Incfile allows you to incorporate an S-Corporation (or C-Corporation), a non-profit, or a C-Corporation by filing articles of incorporation.

The majority of firms in the United States require a federal tax ID number. They’re also known as an employer identification number (EIN) or a federal tax identification number. The IRS uses this number to identify and track business entities.

Your EIN can be compared to your company’s social security number.

EINs are required in a variety of situations.

To open a bank account for your business, you’ll need an EIN. If your company has employees or pays excise tax, you’ll need an EIN. Your state may require it as well.

As part of their Gold package, Incfile may assist you in obtaining your EIN.

However, you may get an EIN in just a few minutes by going to the IRS website.

We advise you to file for an EIN on your own. Incfile Gold does not benefit from this functionality.

Incfile’s Registered Agent Service

The first year is free; each subsequent year costs $119.

All businesses and corporations must name a registered agent when incorporating an LLC or corporation.

A registered agent is a person who receives services and processes on behalf of the company.

Agent registration might be a pain. You could lose your certificate, as well as face other repercussions.

Residents of the state in which your LLC is based must serve as registered agents.

They must be available to receive legal documents throughout business hours.

The names and addresses of registered agents are likewise available to the public.

You have the option of acting as your registered agent or hiring a professional.

If you: Travel frequently and do not stay in one place, a registered agent service may be a smart alternative.
You are not a citizen of the United States.
Your company operates in multiple states.
You don’t want your address or name to be made public.

Registered agent service is available through Incfile. A free year is included with the purchase of any Silver, Gold, or Platinum plan.

You can use Incfile as your registered agent. They will accept and forward your business correspondence on your behalf. You’ll get notifications about documents they’ve received. You’ll be able to obtain critical information right away, thanks to your digital dashboard.

After the first year of free service, Incfile’s registered agent service costs $119 per year.

Operating Agreement

Working Arrangements

Platinum and Gold Packages include it.

Even though it is a simple document, an operating agreement is necessary.

The operating agreement is a document that the LLC’s members draft to establish the LLC’s operational rules and rights.

It could consist of the following:

• How will the LLC be run?
• How members’ ownership is divided
• How are earnings distributed?
• What happens if a member of an LLC wants to dissolve the company or dies?
  …as well as a slew of other crucial questions

In some states, an operating agreement is not required.

Operating agreements are a good idea for anyone running a business in a state where they aren’t required.

Even a modest operating agreement might assist shield the minimal liabilities of your LLC.

In an unforeseen event, it provides clear and easy-to-follow instructions.

Notice: Before incorporating a business in California, Delaware, or Maine, you must first execute an Operating Agreement. It should be kept with your company’s records.

The state does not require that an operating agreement be filed. They should only be kept on hand for emergencies.

Annual Reports are $99 each.

Annual Reporting by Incfile

The Secretary of State requires most firms to file annual reports.

Basic information about an LLC, such as the company’s address or the names of its members or management, is often included in these reports.

State governments mainly utilize these reports to keep track of the enterprises under their jurisdiction.

Although it is time-consuming, making a yearly report will save you money in the long run by avoiding penalties and allowing you to keep your good standing with the state.

Annual reports are due on a specific day in some states.

Some states demand that yearly reports be delivered by the anniversary of your company’s founding. If your company were started in November, your first annual report would be due in December of the following year. Reports are only required every two years in some states.

Most states will charge you a fee when you file your annual reports.

The fees are typically inexpensive, with the majority falling below $100.

Regardless of whether the LLC produced any money that year, you’ll have to pay this fee.

Even if yearly reports appear to be unimportant, failure to file them or pay the cost on time can result in the closure of your business.

You must make sure that your paperwork is filed and paid on time.

Incfile will assist you in finishing your annual report.

After you’ve filled out the required information, Incfile will email your report to the appropriate state authorities.

When your report has been acknowledged and received, they will notify you.

$50 S-Corp Tax Election

S Corporation Tax Election (Incfile)

S-corporations are short for “small business corporations.”

S-corporations are nearly identical to LLCs, but they can offer tax benefits in specific circumstances.

While being classified as an S corporation may benefit some businesses, it may not benefit all.

Talk to a tax specialist if you’re unsure whether an S-corp filing is correct for you.

It’s worth noting that you can still choose to be recognized as an S-corp later on; your LLC status isn’t set in stone.

Incfile may assist you in filing an S-Corp election with the Internal Revenue Service. This will set you back $50.

Are you in need of a business license? $99

Incfile Business License research

Depending on your company’s size, structure, and industry, you may be subject to a variety of restrictions.

Permits and licenses may be required at the federal, state, and local levels.

Compliance with regulations is necessary, even though it might be time-consuming.

You don’t want to jeopardize your company’s future by breaking the law.

Incfile charges a flat fee for a “Business License Search.”

After you input information about your company, this service will search for and gather the required permits, licenses, tax registrations, application forms, and tax registrations.

According to Incfile, your research package will arrive within five business days following your company’s state filing.

Incfile’s business license search will provide you with the relevant documents and guidance on how to fill them out. You must, however, fill them in yourself. This service may be worthwhile if you don’t have the time or willingness to conduct a comprehensive research.

Incfile – Foreign Qualifications

However, a “foreign qualification” is not as global as you believe.

$149 for foreign qualifications

If you wish to do business in a state where you were not born, you will need a Foreign Qualification.

A Certificate of Authority can be obtained by filing for a Foreign Qualification. This enables you to conduct business in another country (i.e., a state not where your company was established).

Depending on the company’s size, various Foreign Qualifications may be required. In each state where you operate, you’ll need a Certificate of Authority. Incfile can file your foreign qualification for a one-time fee for a single state. Incfile is priced similarly to its competitors.

Changes to the name and amendments are $99 each.

Incfile has been updated with new names and modifications.

Your articles of incorporation may need to be amended at times.

Your company may change its name, move to a new location, or hire new employees.

You’ll need to file revisions to your Articles of Incorporation with your state’s Secretary of State if you want to make significant changes like these.

The amendment will be filed on your behalf by Incfile.

Incfile will send the required papers to your state government when you’ve entered the necessary information.

The procedure of revising Articles of Incorporation is usually slower than incorporating a business. As a result, even if Incfile provides you with your forms fast, you may have to wait several weeks or longer for validation of your revisions.

Certificates of Good Standing are available for $49 each.

Certificate of Good Standing from Incfile

At the state level, a Certificate of Good Standing is awarded. It’s a document that verifies that your company has completed all of the required filings and fees.

This document is not required for your business to continue operating, but it is necessary if you plan to expand into other states.

Clients will occasionally request a Certificate of Good Standing to verify their good standing.

Incfile can apply for a Certificate of Good Standing in any state you want, but only if that state is where your LLC does business.

Incfile charges reasonable pricing for this service, which is on par with or somewhat cheaper than that of its competitors.

$99 for a DBA / fictitious name

Fictitious Company Name Incfile DBA

A fictitious business name, also known as a “Doing Business As” name, a Trade name, or an Assumed Business Name, permits you to conduct your business under a name other than the one used in your articles.

People can use fictional Commercial Names for various reasons, including to safeguard their privacy and improve name recognition, as well as to account for a shift, expansion, or other business needs.

Let’s imagine you want to start a cabinet-making company called Superb Cabinets LLC.

You begin to take on more carpentry work as your company grows.

You may need a fictitious business name to represent your expanding offerings, such as Superb Home Carpentry LLC.

File a DBA (Doing Business As)

Incfile will file your DBA/Fictitious Name Request with the appropriate state authorities for a fixed cost.

For filing this request, they charge the same as their competitors.

Not all states allow businesses to operate under fictitious identities.

The DBA/Fictitious Name page of Incfile lists states that accept them.

Registration of a trademark costs $199.

With Incfile, you may register trademarks.

Trademarks can help you secure your intellectual property and set your business apart from the competition.

Any combination of words, phrases, symbols, designs, or even single words can be trademarked.

Incfile can help you register a trademark, but only for one series or class. This is a one-time cost. According to Incfile, filing can take 3-7 business days. Approval from the federal government usually takes 3 to 4 months.

If you currently use Incfile’s other services, filing your trademark with them is a simple process. Incfile’s $199 (plus federal costs) price, on the other hand, is not competitive.

If you want to file a trademark, you may consult with a professional firm.

Accounting, bookkeeping, and bookkeeping are all essential.

Prices that fluctuate

Incfile is a bookkeeping and accounting firm that specializes in small businesses.

Incfile also offers bookkeeping and accounting services to businesses.

Although Incfile claims to provide various services, prices aren’t readily apparent on the website. The primary call to action is to click the “Get a free consultation” button.

Incfile is a bookkeeping and accounting firm that specializes in small businesses.

Incfile also offers bookkeeping and accounting services to businesses.

Although Incfile claims to provide various services, prices aren’t readily apparent on the website. The key call to action is to go to the “Get a free tax consultation” page and click the “Get a free tax consultation” button.

All options, according to Incfile, include quarterly bookkeeping, unlimited tax consultations, and at least one tax return submission.

If you want to maintain track of your funds, you’ll need to do some bookkeeping.

By submitting a tax return, you can keep most of your gains while avoiding IRS hassles. (An audit can quickly become a huge time sink.)

When feasible, experts are always suggested.

Incfile is a modest-sized corporation that specializes in business formations.

Their tax and bookkeeping services are almost certainly outsourced to a third party.

A small business accountant best handles bookkeeping, accounting, and business taxes.

$149 for dissolution

Articles of Incorporation for Dissolution

A dissolution is exactly what it sounds like: it is dissolution.

When it comes to winding down your LLC’s operations, filing Articles of Dissolution is a must.

These articles serve as notice to your state that your LLC will be closing down.

Companies with unpaid taxes or failed yearly reports may be taken from “Good Standing,” preventing them from being dissolved.

Before you file your Articles of Dissolution, you should address these concerns.

After you’ve filed them, you’ll need to file these.

Do we recommend Incfile?

Yes, we do; they are in our top 3 best LLC services for 2022.

• Incfile is a company that has been in operation for almost two decades.
• The company’s main selling point is the low costs it offers on various services.
• The Silver package LLC creation from Incfile offers a low-cost, no-frills solution at an unbelievable price.
• A whole year of complimentary registered agent services is included.

Incfile’s Gold package includes everything your company requires for only $149, which is the best price available.

Incfile also provides several other services linked to the low-cost formation.

The website is simple to navigate and includes a useful online dashboard.

Customer comments and customer service offers from Incfile raise a few red flags.

The ratings on Trustpilot and Yelp could be better. Delays have been a common complaint among reviewers. There are not many current Incfile reviews on Reddit, but most are very positive.

On its customer review website, Incfile does include a part that discusses the adjustments they made to improve their customer service.

Many services linked to Incfile’s significant offerings are also available.

Accounting and bookkeeping are examples of services that professionals should provide.

Whether you need a simple LLC formation or a related one-time service like DBA registration, Foreign Qualification filing, or Annual Report Filing, Incfile could be the appropriate fit for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Incfile do?

Incfile provides business formation services and related filing, compliance, and legal services. Incfile also provides users with an online dashboard to track the statuses and due dates of necessary forms and submissions.

How much does it cost to form an LLC with Incfile?

Incfile has several business formation packages, but their least expensive package is free (not including state fees). Incfile’s free Silver package includes a free year of their registered agent service. The two other LLC formation packages are $149 and $299.

Is Incfile free?

If you go with the Silver package, Incfile does not charge anything for you to form your LLC. You’ll still have to pay your state’s fees, though. Incfile’s free service does not include some other basic services that you may want, though.

Is Incfile legit?

Incfile has been in business since 2004. They have serviced tens of thousands of customers. However, customers should be aware that they have a lot of good reviews on Shopper Approved. In other places, their reviews are weak, and they are currently not BBB accredited.

Is Incfile good for LLC formation?

Incfile may be a good choice for those who want a bare-bones formation at the lowest possible price. Those looking for additional or more complex services may want to look for a formation company with better reviews.

Who should purchase Incfile’s Platinum package?

We do not recommend purchasing Incfile’s Platinum package. The additional services offered with the package, including contract templates, email domain hosting, and web domain hosting, do not justify the extra price.

Who is Incfile best for?

Incfile is best for new business owners who want a quick and easy, bare-bones formation at a low price. If you think you’ll need more extensive services, you may want to look at other options.

What are the benefits of using Incfile?

Incfile’s main strengths are its ease of use and its price points, and its prices for business formation, registered agent service, and other related services are very competitive.

How does Incfile compare to other formation services?

Incfile is a solid formation service, though not the best. Incfile’s price points are excellent, for the most part. However, they have mixed customer reviews and a mediocre customer service record.

How is Incfile rated?

Incfile has a decent Facebook rating (4 out of 5), though their averages with other services, such as Trustpilot and Yelp, are lower. Many negative reviews are focused on Incfile’s customer service.

What states does Incfile serve?

Incfile provides services to all 50 states.

How do I cancel Incfile?

You’ll have to contact Incfile’s customer support directly to cancel an order. There are no options to cancel directly from the website or the online dashboard.

Does Incfile have a refund policy?

Incfile will refund certain one-time purchases if you alert them before documents are sent to the state. You will incur a $30 cancellation fee, though.

Where is Incfile located?

Incfile is located in Houston, Texas, though they service all 50 states.

Who owns Incfile?

Incfile is an independent company and not owned by a larger conglomerate.