Option 1: Form a new company
If you’re starting a new business, Pluvel handles formation end-to-end.Choose your entity type
Select the type of business you’re forming:
| Entity | Best for | Tax treatment |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | Most small businesses | Pass-through (profits taxed on your personal return) |
| Corporation | Raising investment, going public eventually | Corporate tax, then dividends taxed again |
| S-Corp | Saving on self-employment tax | Pass-through with salary requirements |
| Nonprofit | Charitable organizations | Tax-exempt (with IRS approval) |
Not sure? LLC is the most common choice for new businesses. It’s flexible, protects your personal assets, and is simpler than a corporation.
Choose your state
Where you form matters. Common choices:
- Your home state — Simplest option if you’re operating locally
- Delaware — Popular for corporations, especially if raising investment
- Wyoming — Low fees, strong privacy protections, good for LLCs
Enter company details
Provide:
- Company name — We check availability in your chosen state
- Business address — Can be your home address or our registered agent address
- Business purpose — General description (e.g., “software development” or “consulting services”)
- Owners/members — Names and ownership percentages
Set up registered agent
Every company needs a registered agent — someone who can receive legal documents on the company’s behalf. Pluvel includes registered agent service in all plans.We’ll receive:
- Legal notices
- State correspondence
- Tax documents
Review and pay
Review your order:
- Pluvel fee — Included in your subscription
- State filing fee — Varies by state (500)
- Expedited processing — Optional, faster turnaround
After formation
Once approved, you’ll want to:- Get your EIN — File for an EIN from the IRS (free, takes 5 minutes online)
- File your BOI report — Required within 90 days for most companies
- Open a business bank account — Use your formation documents and EIN
- Connect your bank to Pluvel — Start tracking transactions
Option 2: Connect an existing business
Already have a company? Add it to Pluvel and start using the platform immediately.Enter company information
Provide:
- Legal name — Exactly as registered with the state
- Entity type — LLC, Corporation, etc.
- State of formation — Where the company was originally formed
- EIN — Your federal tax ID (if you have one)
- Formation date — When the company was formed
Verify ownership
Confirm you’re authorized to manage this company’s finances. We may ask for documentation for certain features (like payroll).
Connect your bank
Link your business bank accounts through Plaid. This pulls in your transactions so you can start categorizing and reconciling.Connect your bank →
Import existing data (optional)
If you’re switching from another accounting system:
- QuickBooks — Connect and import
- Xero — Connect and import
- Wave — Import via CSV
- Spreadsheets — Upload transactions as CSV
Transferring registered agent
If you want Pluvel to be your registered agent (to use the Digital Mailroom), you can transfer from your current agent:- Go to Settings → Compliance → Registered Agent
- Click Transfer to Pluvel
- We file the change with your state (usually $25-50 state fee)
- Takes 1-2 weeks to process
Multiple companies
You can add multiple companies to one Pluvel account. Useful for:- Owning multiple businesses
- Managing client companies (accountants)
- Separating business units
- Click your company name in the top navigation
- Click Add Company
- Follow the same process above
Company settings
After adding your company, review these settings:Company details
Legal name, address, contact info, logo.
Fiscal year
Calendar year or custom fiscal year.
Tax settings
Tax IDs, filing status, state registrations.
Team members
Invite others to access the company.