Jake Lawson here. First, thank you for your service. Second, Michigan recognizes that service by waiving LLC fees for veterans—both formation and annual reports. This benefit can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of your business. Here’s exactly how to claim what you’ve earned, without the bureaucratic runaround.
Michigan provides one of the best veteran business benefits in the country: completely free LLC formation and maintenance for qualifying veterans. This isn’t a discount—it’s a complete waiver of state fees in recognition of your military service.
Michigan Veteran LLC Benefits: What You Get
Formation fee waiver: $50 saved (normally required for Michigan LLC formation)
Annual report fee waiver: $25 saved every year for the life of your LLC
Other state filing fee waivers: Available for any Michigan Secretary of State filing
No time limit: Benefits available indefinitely—not a temporary program
Total savings over 10 years: $300+ ($50 formation + $25 × 10 years annual reports)
Jake’s note: This is a genuine, substantial benefit that Michigan provides permanently. You’ve earned it through your service—make sure you claim it.
Who Qualifies for Veteran LLC Benefits
Veteran Definition (Michigan Veterans and Members of Armed Forces Act):
Qualifying service: Anyone who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including reserve components
Discharge requirement: Discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
Branch eligibility: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, Reserves
Bottom line: If you weren’t dishonorably discharged, you qualify for these benefits.
LLC Ownership Requirements:
Veteran ownership threshold: Veterans must own 51% or more of the LLC
Single-member LLCs: Veteran owns 100% = automatic qualification
Multi-member LLCs: Combined veteran ownership must exceed 50%
Ownership Examples:
Qualifies:
- Single veteran owns 100% of LLC
- Two veterans own 30% each, non-veteran owns 40% (veterans = 60% combined)
- Veteran owns 75%, spouse owns 25%
- Veteran owns 51%, business partner owns 49%
Doesn’t Qualify:
- Veteran owns 50%, non-veteran owns 50% (exactly 50% doesn’t qualify)
- Veteran owns 25%, two non-veterans each own 37.5%
- Veterans own 40% combined, non-veterans own 60%
Required Documentation for Veteran Status
Acceptable Proof of Service:
Michigan Driver’s License or ID: With veteran designation (red marking on front)
DD-214 Form: Any copy except Copy 1 (most common proof used)
VA Health ID Card: Current veteran health identification
Other military documents: Discharge certificates, service records
Important requirements:
- Must provide photocopies, not originals
- Don’t modify or cross out any information on documents
- State reviews documents then securely destroys them
- If you don’t have your DD-214, you can request it from milConnect or National Archives
Step-by-Step: Free Michigan LLC Formation
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Veteran proof: Photocopy of DD-214, Michigan veteran ID, or VA Health ID
LLC information: Chosen LLC name, registered agent details, member information
Notary access: You’ll need to get one form notarize
Step 2: Complete Veteran Fee Waiver Request Form
Download: Michigan Veteran Fee Waiver Request Form
Complete form with:
- Your chosen LLC name
- Veteran names and ownership percentages (only list veterans, not all members)
- Type of proof you’re providing
- Veteran signatures and dates
Critical requirement: This form must be notarized—don’t sign it until you’re with a notary.
Step 3: Complete Articles of Organization
Standard Michigan LLC formation document
Include all members: Veterans and non-veterans (complete ownership structure)
Don’t mention veteran status: This is a regular Articles of Organization form
Complete instructions: Michigan LLC Articles of Organization guide
Step 4: Mail Everything Together
Required items:
- Photocopy of veteran proof
- Notarized Veteran Fee Waiver Request Form
- Completed Articles of Organization
Mail to:
Michigan Corporations Division
PO Box 30054
Lansing, MI 48909-7554
Important: Veteran LLC formations must be filed by mail—online filing is not available for fee waivers.
Annual Report Fee Waivers (Ongoing Benefit)
Step 1: Receive Annual Statement Form
How you get it: Michigan mails pre-printed form to your registered agent annually
If self-serving: Form comes directly to you
If using registered agent service: Contact them to obtain the form
Step 2: Complete Veteran Fee Waiver Request (Annual)
Different form: Use the Annual Statement Veteran Fee Waiver Form
Information needed:
- LLC ID number and name
- Veteran names and ownership percentages
- Veteran signatures (no notarization required for annual filings)
If first-time annual waiver: Include proof of veteran status
If previously filed veteran LLC: Proof already on file with state
Step 3: Complete and Mail Annual Statement
Review pre-printed information: Make corrections if needed
Sign and date: All required signatures on annual statement
Mail together: Annual statement + veteran fee waiver form + proof (if needed)
Annual savings: $25 every year for the life of your LLC
Additional Veteran Fee Waivers Available
Other Michigan Secretary of State Filings:
Articles of Amendment: Changes to LLC structure
Certificate of Dissolution: Closing your LLC
Foreign LLC Registration: Registering out-of-state LLC in Michigan
Name Reservations: Reserving LLC names in advance
Certified Copies: Official copies of filed documents
Process: Same veteran fee waiver request process applies to any Secretary of State filing.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake #1: Not Getting Fee Waiver Form Notarized
Problem: Michigan rejects filing if notarization is missing
Solution: Get Veteran Fee Waiver Request Form notarized before mailing
Cost: Notary fees typically $5-$15
Mistake #2: Listing All Members on Fee Waiver Form
Problem: Form asks for veteran information only
Solution: Only list veterans and their ownership percentages on fee waiver form
Example: If LLC is 60% veteran-owned and 40% non-veteran, only show the 60% veteran ownership
Mistake #3: Trying to File Online
Problem: Veteran fee waivers require mail filing
Solution: Always file veteran LLC paperwork by mail, never online
Processing time: Longer than online filing but still reasonable
Mistake #4: Not Claiming Annual Report Waivers
Problem: Paying $25 annually when benefit is available
Solution: File veteran fee waiver request with every annual report
Lifetime savings: $25 × years in business
Mistake #5: Assuming Benefits Expire
Problem: Thinking veteran benefits are temporary
Solution: Benefits are permanent—available for life of LLC
Strategic Considerations for Veteran LLC Owners
Ownership Structure Planning:
Maintain 51%+ veteran ownership: Required to keep benefits
Document ownership clearly: Ensure operating agreement reflects veteran majority
Plan for changes: Consider how future ownership changes might affect benefits
Multiple LLCs:
No limit on veteran LLCs: You can form multiple LLCs with fee waivers
Each LLC must qualify: 51%+ veteran ownership required for each
Separate applications: Each LLC needs its own veteran fee waiver request
Business Growth Considerations:
Bringing in investors: Ensure veteran ownership remains above 50%
Family members as members: Non-veteran family members don’t affect qualification
Exit planning: Consider veteran benefit implications in succession planning
Michigan Veteran LLC vs. Regular LLC
Veteran LLC Advantages:
- $50 formation fee waived
- $25 annual report fee waived every year
- All other Secretary of State fees waived
- Same legal protections and benefits as regular LLC
Veteran LLC Requirements:
- Must file by mail (not online)
- Must maintain 51%+ veteran ownership
- Must provide veteran documentation
- Must complete fee waiver forms
When Regular LLC Might Make Sense:
- Immediate online filing needed (veteran filing takes longer)
- Ownership structure won’t maintain veteran majority
- Want to avoid paperwork complexity
Jake’s recommendation: For qualifying veterans, the fee savings almost always justify the minor additional paperwork.
Tax Implications (Same as Regular LLCs)
Federal Tax Treatment:
Single-member veteran LLC: Taxed as sole proprietorship (disregarded entity)
Multi-member veteran LLC: Taxed as partnership by default
Tax elections available: S-Corp election for tax savings at higher income levels
Michigan State Taxes:
No LLC-level tax: Michigan doesn’t impose entity-level LLC taxes
Personal income tax: LLC income flows through to members’ personal returns
Sales tax: Required if selling taxable goods or services in Michigan
Veteran-Specific Tax Benefits:
Military retirement: Michigan doesn’t tax military retirement pay
Disabled veteran property tax: Additional property tax exemptions available
Business tax considerations: Consult tax professional for veteran-specific planning
Your Michigan Veteran LLC Action Plan
Week 1: Documentation and Preparation
- Gather veteran proof: Locate DD-214, veteran ID, or VA Health ID
- Choose LLC name: Check availability
- Plan ownership structure: Ensure veterans own 51%+ combined
- Find notary service: Locate notary for fee waiver form
Week 2: Complete Applications
- Download forms: Veteran fee waiver request and Articles of Organization
- Complete paperwork: Fill out both forms completely
- Get notarization: Have veteran fee waiver form notarized
- Review for accuracy: Double-check all information
Week 3: File and Follow Up
- Mail complete package: All forms and veteran proof together
- Track processing: Michigan typically processes within 2-3 weeks
- Receive confirmation: LLC approved with fee waiver applied
- Set up business: Open bank account, obtain EIN, create operating agreement
Ongoing: Annual Maintenance
- Receive annual statement: Usually mailed in February-March
- Complete annual fee waiver: Submit with annual statement
- Maintain records: Keep veteran documentation current
- Monitor ownership: Ensure veteran majority ownership continues
Additional Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs
Michigan Veteran Business Resources:
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: Business development programs
SCORE Michigan: Free veteran business mentoring
SBA Veteran Programs: Federal programs for veteran entrepreneurs
Michigan PTAC: Government contracting assistance
Business Development Support:
Veteran entrepreneur networks: Connect with other veteran business owners
Industry-specific training: Develop skills in your chosen field
Funding opportunities: Veteran-specific loans and grants
Certification programs: Veteran-owned small business certifications
The Bottom Line on Michigan Veteran LLC Benefits
Michigan’s veteran LLC fee waiver is one of the most valuable state-level veteran business benefits available. The savings are real, the process is straightforward, and the benefits last for the life of your business.
Key takeaways:
- Completely free LLC formation and annual maintenance for qualifying veterans
- Must maintain 51%+ veteran ownership to qualify
- Benefits available indefinitely—not a temporary program
- Minor additional paperwork for significant long-term savings
- Same legal protections and business advantages as regular LLCs
Total potential savings: $300+ over ten years, more for longer-operating businesses
Your earned benefit: You’ve served your country—Michigan recognizes that service with tangible business benefits.
Ready to Claim Your Veteran LLC Benefits?
Download veteran fee waiver forms →
Get my complete Michigan LLC guide →
Check Michigan LLC name availability →
Download my veteran LLC checklist →Michigan LLC guide
Questions about Michigan veteran LLC benefits or need help with the application process? Contact me directly—I’ve helped dozens of veterans claim these well-deserved benefits and would be honored to help you as well.
Legal Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and doesn’t constitute legal or tax advice. Michigan veteran LLC requirements can change over time. Always verify current requirements with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and consult qualified professionals for specific legal and tax matters. Benefits described are based on current Michigan law and veteran eligibility requirements.