“It’s like one LLC, with several mini-businesses inside—each doing its own thing, without bringing the others down.”
So You’re Running Multiple Projects And You’re Wondering How to Protect Them
Let’s say you’ve got three income streams.
One is a Shopify store. The second is a short-term rental. The third? A freelance gig that accidentally turned into an entire business.
Now what?
You don’t want to pay to set up three different LLCs. But running them all under the same one feels risky. Like if something goes wrong with one, the others could get pulled in.
That’s exactly the kind of mess a Series LLC is designed to avoid.
Think of it like this:
You’ve got one umbrella company, and under that, you build separate compartments—each one legally insulated from the others. It’s still one LLC on paper, but behind the scenes? It’s got rooms.
Clean. Segmented. Safer.
Now, let’s walk through how it works, who it’s for, and whether it’s even worth it—because spoiler: it’s not for everyone.
Footnote: If you’re still weighing your basic options, start here: What is a Sole Proprietorship in the US?
First, What Is a Series LLC?
A Series LLC is a single parent company (called the “master LLC”) that can spin off multiple independent “series” under it. Each series:
- Has its own name
- Can hold its own assets
- Can sue or be sued separately
- Carries its own liability (so trouble in one doesn’t legally affect the others)
Let’s think of it like a tree.
The master LLC is the trunk.
Each series is a branch doing its own thing, but all are rooted in one setup—just one of the many smart structures that make forming a U.S. company so worthwhile.
Where Is a Series LLC Even Allowed?
Let’s clear this up: not every state in the U.S. plays nice with Series LLCs.
In fact, as of now, only a limited number of states officially recognize and support the Series LLC structure—and that list matters a lot if you’re planning to operate across state lines.
Here’s where you can legally form a Series LLC:
- Delaware (the OG of series LLC)
(Also see: Why Many Foreigners Choose Delaware for Their LLC)
- Texas
- Illinois
- Nevada
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Iowa
- Oklahoma
- Montana
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Missouri
- North Dakota
- Planning to do business in other states? Here’s the catch:
Even if you legally form your Series LLC in, say, Delaware or Texas, some states won’t recognize the liability protection between each series if you’re operating there.
Translation? If you mess up your structure or cross into the wrong state without understanding the law, your “separate series” might not stay so separate in court.
So, before you expand, just ask yourself the following two questions:
- Where am I legally forming my Series LLC?
- Where will I actually be doing business?
Because in the U.S., just forming it isn’t enough. You’ve got to know where it stands—and whether that state stands with you.
What About States That Don’t Support Series LLCs, But Still Want to Regulate Them?
Here’s where things get a little ironic. Some U.S. states don’t allow you to form a Series LLC locally, but they’ll still expect you to qualify your out-of-state Series LLC if you plan to operate there.
Let’s look at two examples:
Florida
Florida doesn’t offer a domestic Series LLC structure.
But if you bring in a Series LLC formed elsewhere (like Delaware or Texas), Florida may ask each individual “series” under your LLC to register separately.
Yep, not just the master, but each branch.
So, if you have three series under your LLC, expect three separate applications if you want to operate all of them in Florida.
Arizona
Arizona, like Florida, doesn’t let you form a Series LLC inside the state.
But if you’re coming in with a foreign Series LLC, they’ve got rules you need to follow. And here’s the catch:
In Arizona, if one of your series gets into trouble, the law assumes that all series—including the master and the others—could be liable.
So basically, you lose one of the main perks of having a Series LLC: liability protection between series.
- Bottom line? Before you expand into a new state, don’t just assume your Series LLC setup will be honored. Check the local rules—or talk to someone who knows them inside and out.
Pro Tip: If you’re registering from abroad, you’ll want to review this first: US Company Registration: Everything You Need to Know.
Benefits of a Series LLC (And Why Some Founders Love It)
- Liability Protection, Times Ten
Each series is legally separate.
So if Series A gets sued, Series B doesn’t get dragged into the mess.
- Lower Cost & Paperwork
You pay to register one LLC, not ten.
And many states don’t require separate filings for each series.
- Simpler Management
Same parent company, same EIN (in most cases), same operating agreement—with add-ons for each series.
- Built for Multipreneurs
Perfect for real estate investors (separate properties), e-commerce store owners (separate brands), or agencies (different client projects or departments).
Series LLC Example: So This Makes More Sense
Let’s say you’re a real estate investor with 3 properties:
- 123 Main Street
- 456 Sunset Ave
- 789 Ocean Blvd
With a Series LLC, you could set up:
- Series A owns Main Street
- Series B owns Sunset
- Series C owns Ocean
If something goes wrong at 456 Sunset (say, a lawsuit), your other two properties (A and C) are not liable—even though they’re all under one LLC.
But Hold On, This Isn’t Always Perfect
At this point, let’s talk about what to watch out for.
- Not All States Respect the Structure
Even if you form your Series LLC in Delaware, another state might not legally honor the “separateness” of each series. That’s a risk—especially if you’re operating in places like California or New York.
- Banking and Compliance Can Get Messy
Some banks may require separate accounts for each series.
You’ll also need clear bookkeeping and distinct agreements for every one of them.
- This isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it model. It’s more like: set it up, then run it like a grown-up.
Series LLC vs. Traditional LLC
At this point, you’re probably wondering, if both are called LLCs, why do they feel so different? What actually sets a regular LLC apart from a Series LLC? Let’s take a look below to understand the differences:
| Feature | Traditional LLC | Series LLC |
| Structure | One business, one entity | One umbrella with multiple series |
| Liability | Shared across everything | Protected per series |
| Use case | Single product/service | Multiple brands, projects, or assets |
| Cost | More LLCs = more filings | One filing, many series |
| State availability | 50 states | Limited states only |
And What About Taxes?
Here’s where it gets nuanced.
- The IRS doesn’t officially recognize Series LLCs as a unique structure.
- Each series can choose how it wants to be taxed (as a disregarded entity, partnership, or corporation)—but you’ll need to be consistent and clear.
- Some states allow each series to file separately; others expect it all under the master.
So yes, Series LLC tax treatment is flexible—but also requires a tax advisor who’s done this before. It’s not plug-and-play.
So… Is a Series LLC Right for You?
Yes, if:
- You own multiple assets or brands
- You want cost-effective liability separation
- You’re operating in a Series LLC–friendly state
- You have the discipline to keep books and operations separate
Maybe not, if:
- You’re only running one business or project
- You need to operate nationwide (and not all states recognize Series LLCs)
- You hate paperwork or hate managing complexity
- Be honest with yourself: If you’re just testing an idea or only selling one product, you don’t need this yet. Don’t overbuild just because it sounds smart. You’ll just create admin headaches your future self didn’t ask for.
U.S. Culture Note: Structure = Serious
In U.S. business culture, people notice when your structure is tidy.
Having a Series LLC shows you’re not just “doing a bunch of things”—you’re running them like a portfolio. That earns respect.
So if you’re pitching clients, working with partners, or planning to scale—this isn’t just legal protection. It’s perception management, too.
Final Thought: Structure Should Support You, Not Stress You.
A Series LLC can be a brilliant setup if you’ve got multiple ventures that need their own lanes. It gives you liability protection without the headache of managing five separate entities.
But here’s the honest take:
If you’re still figuring things out or only managing one project for now, don’t over-engineer it. You don’t need complexity you can’t maintain.
Structure should match your stage.
Not your ambition, not your fear—your actual day-to-day reality.
Because the goal isn’t just to look legit on paper.
The goal is to build something solid and protect it without losing your mind.
FAQ
What is a Series LLC in simple terms?
It’s one LLC that holds multiple mini-businesses under it, called a “series.” Each one is legally separate, but they all sit under a single parent LLC. Think of one umbrella, many branches.
What are the benefits of a Series LLC?
- Each series protects itself legally, so if one gets sued, the others stay safe
- Cheaper and simpler than forming multiple LLCs
- Ideal if you run multiple projects, brands, or properties
In the United States, where can I form or register a Series LLC?
States like Delaware, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, Utah, Tennessee (and a few others) allow Series LLCs. But not every state recognizes them, so check where you’ll actually operate.
Is a Series LLC good for real estate?
Yes. It’s especially popular with real estate investors who want each property isolated legally—without filing 10 separate LLCs.
Do I need a separate EIN for each series of the LLC?
It depends. Some series use the master LLC’s EIN, others apply separately, especially if taxed independently. Your tax advisor will guide you based on how you are required to file.
Is a Series LLC recognized in all 50 states?
No. That’s the catch. Some states don’t recognize the separateness of each series, which means your liability shield might not hold up everywhere.
Can a foreigner form a Series LLC in the U.S.?
Yes, in Series LLC–friendly states like Delaware. But you’ll still need a U.S.-registered agent and an EIN to get going. The same foreigner-friendly rules as with regular LLCs apply.
How is a Series LLC taxed?
It varies. Each series can choose to be taxed separately (like its own LLC), or you can file everything under the master. But the IRS doesn’t treat Series LLCs as a special category—you have to structure it right.
Is a Series LLC better than forming multiple LLCs?
It can be—if you’re organized and the structure fits your business. It saves cost and paperwork, but only works well when each series is run properly with clean books and contracts.
