Escalante Bookkeeping

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Professional Business Formation Support in San Antonio

What is business formation support?

Business formation support means getting expert help with the paperwork and procedures to legally establish your business in Texas. Besides smart bookkeeping, we handle document preparation, filing processes, and government applications so you can focus on starting your business.

Escalante Bookkeeping provides non-legal business formation services for San Antonio entrepreneurs. We simplify the process of creating LLCs, registering DBAs, and obtaining required tax identification numbers.

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Why Choose Our Business Formation Support?

Texas-Specific Expertise: We know Texas Secretary of State requirements and local filing procedures.

Fast, Accurate Processing: Most formations complete within 5-10 business days with proper documentation.

Complete Service Package: From document preparation to EIN applications, we handle everything.

No Legal Fees: Get professional formation support without expensive attorney costs.

Ongoing Business Support: Formation is just the beginning – we provide bookkeeping and business support as you grow.

Personal Service: Work directly with experienced professionals who understand your business goals.

Our Business Formation Services

LLC Formation Support

What is an LLC? A Limited Liability Company (LLC) protects your personal assets from business debts and liabilities. It’s the most popular business structure for small businesses because it’s simple to maintain and offers excellent protection.

Benefits of forming an LLC:

  • Personal asset protection from business debts
  • Tax flexibility and potential savings
  • Professional business credibility
  • Easier access to business banking and credit
  • Simple management structure and compliance

Our LLC formation process:

  • Name availability research and verification
  • Certificate of Formation document preparation
  • Registered agent service setup
  • Filing with Texas Secretary of State
  • Operating agreement template provision
  • EIN application with the IRS

What we prepare for your LLC:

  • Certificate of Formation with accurate business information
  • Registered agent designation (we can serve as your agent)
  • Operating agreement template customized for your business
  • Initial member information and ownership structure
  • Business purpose statement and duration
  • Management structure documentatio
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DBA Registration Support

What is a DBA? A “Doing Business As” (DBA) allows you to operate under a name different from your legal business name. This is perfect for sole proprietors or partnerships who want to use a brand name.

When do you need a DBA?

  • Operating under a name different from your legal name
  • Opening business bank accounts with your brand name
  • Accepting payments in your business name
  • Marketing and advertising under a specific brand
  • Meeting customer expectations for professional presentation

Our DBA registration process:

  • Business name availability search
  • DBA application preparation and review
  • County clerk filing coordination
  • Publication requirement guidance (if applicable)
  • Filing confirmation and documentation

DBA filing requirements in Texas:

  • File with the county clerk where your business operates
  • Some counties require newspaper publication
  • Registration typically valid for 10 years
  • Renewal reminders and support available

Document Preparation Services

What documents do we prepare? We prepare all required formation documents using your business information. Our documents meet Texas Secretary of State requirements and include all necessary details for successful filing.

LLC document preparation:

  • Certificate of Formation with complete business details
  • Registered agent designation forms
  • Operating agreement templates
  • Member information and ownership documentation
  • Management structure and voting rights
  • Business purpose and duration statements

DBA document preparation:

  • Assumed name certificate applications
  • Business name verification and search
  • Owner identification and signature forms
  • Business address and contact information
  • Filing fee calculation and payment coordination

Quality assurance process:

  • Document review for accuracy and completeness
  • Compliance verification with state requirements
  • Client approval before filing submission
  • Error checking and correction procedures
  • Filing status tracking and confirmation

Texas Secretary of State Filing Services

How do we handle state filings? We provide direct links to official Texas Secretary of State forms and can file documents online on your behalf with proper authorization.

What we provide for self-filing:

  • Direct links to current Texas Secretary of State forms
  • Step-by-step filing instructions
  • Document preparation guidance
  • Fee calculation and payment information
  • Filing status tracking assistance

Full-service filing option:

  • Complete document preparation and review
  • Online filing on your behalf with authorization
  • Expedited processing when available
  • Filing confirmation and status updates
  • Document delivery and record keeping

Texas Secretary of State requirements:

  • Complete and accurate business information
  • Proper registered agent designation
  • Correct filing fees and payment method
  • Authorized signatures and approvals
  • Compliance with state naming requirements

Online Filing on Your Behalf

Can you file documents for me? Yes, we can file your LLC or DBA documents online using your authorization and personal information. This saves you time and ensures accurate, timely filing.

Authorization process:

  • Complete filing authorization form
  • Provide required personal and business information
  • Review and approve prepared documents
  • Authorize online submission and payment
  • Receive filing confirmation and documentation

What we handle during filing:

  • Online form completion and submission
  • Payment processing and fee calculation
  • Filing status monitoring and updates
  • Problem resolution and corrections
  • Confirmation delivery and record keeping

Benefits of professional filing:

  • Accurate document completion and submission
  • Faster processing and approval times
  • Error prevention and quality control
  • Status tracking and communication
  • Professional record keeping and documentation
A person wearing a light-colored blazer is holding a stack of documents and folders. Their hands are in the process of organizing or retrieving papers from the folders. There's a purple folder, a dark gray or green folder, and white papers visible, some of which have orange paper clips or tabs. The background is blurred, suggesting an indoor office or professional setting.

EIN Application Services

What is an EIN? An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax identification number required for business bank accounts, employee hiring, and tax filings. Every LLC needs an EIN regardless of whether you have employees.

When do you need an EIN?

  • Opening business bank accounts
  • Hiring employees or contractors
  • Filing business tax returns
  • Applying for business licenses or permits
  • Setting up payment processing systems

Our EIN application process:

  • Business information verification and review
  • IRS Form SS-4 completion and preparation
  • Third-party designee authorization
  • Online submission through IRS portal
  • EIN confirmation and documentation delivery

Third-party designee benefits:

  • Faster application processing and approval
  • Direct communication with IRS if needed
  • Professional handling of complex applications
  • Error prevention and correction services
  • Immediate EIN confirmation and delivery

EIN application requirements:

  • Complete business formation documentation
  • Responsible party identification and information
  • Business structure and ownership details
  • Business purpose and activity description
  • Expected employee and revenue information

Step-by-Step Formation Process

Step 1: Initial Consultation

What we discuss:

  • Your business goals and structure preferences
  • Name availability and trademark considerations
  • Tax implications and structure benefits
  • Timeline and filing requirements
  • Service options and pricing

Name verification process:

  • Texas Secretary of State database search
  • Trademark and existing business research
  • Name availability confirmation
  • Alternative name suggestions if needed
  • Name reservation services if requested

Preparation timeline:

  • Document drafting: 1-2 business days
  • Client review and approval: 1-2 business days
  • Final document preparation: Same day
  • Filing preparation and submission: 1 business day

Filing timeline:

  • Texas Secretary of State processing: 3-5 business days
  • Expedited processing available: 24-48 hours
  • EIN application processing: Same day to 2 weeks
  • Complete formation package delivery: 5-10 business days

What happens after formation:

  • Formation document delivery and explanation
  • Business banking setup guidance
  • Ongoing compliance requirement education
  • Bookkeeping and accounting service setup
  • Annual filing reminders and support
Three women are in an indoor setting, possibly an office or classroom, facing a white flip chart. A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a gray blazer, is writing on the flip chart with a marker. Her back is partially to the viewer, but her profile is visible. To her left, a woman with long dark hair, seen from behind, is holding papers with colorful tabs. To her right, another woman with dark hair, also seen from behind, is wearing a light-colored jacket. The flip chart has some green writing and diagrams on it.

Business Structure Comparison

LLC vs. Corporation

LLC advantages:

  • Simpler management and compliance requirements
  • Tax flexibility and pass-through taxation
  • Personal asset protection
  • Less paperwork and formal procedures
  • Easier profit and loss distribution


When to consider a corporation:

  • Planning to raise investment capital
  • Multiple classes of ownership needed
  • Potential public offering in the future
  • Employee stock option plans required
  • Specific tax planning strategies needed

LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship

LLC benefits over sole proprietorship:

  • Personal asset protection from business debts
  • Professional business credibility
  • Easier access to business credit and banking
  • Tax planning and deduction opportunities
  • Business name protection and branding

DBA vs. LLC

When a DBA is sufficient:

  • Simple business operations with low liability risk
  • Lower startup costs and simpler compliance
  • Testing business concepts before full formation
  • Temporary or seasonal business operations


When an LLC is better:

  • Higher liability risk business activities
  • Multiple owners or investment plans
  • Long-term business growth and expansion
  • Professional service credibility requirements
Three women are in an indoor setting, possibly an office or classroom, facing a white flip chart. A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a gray blazer, is writing on the flip chart with a marker. Her back is partially to the viewer, but her profile is visible. To her left, a woman with long dark hair, seen from behind, is holding papers with colorful tabs. To her right, another woman with dark hair, also seen from behind, is wearing a light-colored jacket. The flip chart has some green writing and diagrams on it.

Formation Costs and Timeline

LLC Formation Costs

Texas state filing fees:

  • Certificate of Formation: $300
  • Expedited processing: Additional $25
  • Registered agent service: $100-200 per year
  • Operating agreement preparation: Included in our service

Our service fees:

    • Document preparation and filing: $200-400
    • EIN application: $100
    • Complete formation package: $500-700
    • Ongoing registered agent service: $150 per year

  • County filing fees:

    • Most Texas counties: $15-50
    • Publication fees (if required): $50-200
    • Renewal fees: Similar to initial filing

    Our service fees:

    • Document preparation and filing: $150-250
    • Name search and verification: Included
    • Publication coordination: $100 additional

Standard processing:

  • Document preparation: 2-3 business days
  • State filing and approval: 5-7 business days
  • EIN application: 1-10 business days
  • Complete package delivery: 7-14 business days

Expedited processing:

  • Document preparation: Same day
  • Expedited state filing: 1-2 business days
  • Priority EIN application: Same day
  • Rush delivery: 3-5 business days
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Frequently Asked Questions

Standard LLC formation takes 5-7 business days for state approval plus 2-3 days for document preparation. With expedited processing, you can have your LLC approved in 24-48 hours. The complete process including EIN application typically takes 7-14 business days.

Yes, every Texas LLC must have a registered agent with a Texas address. We can serve as your registered agent, or you can use your business address if you have a physical location in Texas with someone available during business hours.

LLCs offer simpler management, tax flexibility, and fewer compliance requirements. Corporations have more complex structures but may be better for raising investment capital or going public. For most small businesses, LLCs provide better benefits with less complexity.

Yes, you can form a Texas LLC regardless of where you live. You’ll need a registered agent with a Texas address (we can provide this service), but the LLC owners can live anywhere in the United States or internationally.

While Texas doesn’t require operating agreements, we strongly recommend having one. Operating agreements define ownership percentages, management responsibilities, profit distribution, and procedures for major decisions. We provide templates with our formation service.

The Texas state filing fee is $300, plus our service fee of $200-400 for document preparation and filing assistance. EIN applications cost an additional $100. Complete formation packages range from $500-700 depending on services included.

Yes, we can help you convert from sole proprietorship to LLC, or from LLC to corporation if your business needs change. We also handle name changes, registered agent changes, and other LLC modifications.

After formation, you’ll receive your Certificate of Formation, EIN confirmation, and operating agreement template. We provide guidance on opening business bank accounts, setting up bookkeeping systems, and understanding ongoing compliance requirements.

Business license requirements depend on your specific business activities and location. LLC formation doesn’t automatically include business licenses. We can help you identify required licenses and provide guidance on the application process.

Yes, you can form separate LLCs for different business ventures. This provides liability protection between businesses and allows for different ownership structures. We can help you determine if multiple LLCs make sense for your situation.

If your first choice isn’t available, we’ll suggest alternatives and help you find an available name that meets your branding goals. We can also help with name reservations if you need time to decide on marketing and branding.

Yes, we provide ongoing registered agent services, annual filing reminders, bookkeeping services, and business support. Many clients continue working with us for accounting, payroll, and business management needs as they grow.

Ready to start your business in Texas?

Contact Escalante Bookkeeping for Business Formation Support

We help clients throughout Texas form businesses, with special expertise in San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding areas.

Main Office

22014 Dolomite Dr, San Antonio, TX 78259

  • Monday-Friday: Full service and consultation
  • Same-day document preparation available
  • Expedited filing options
  • Weekend consultation by appointment

Call for a free formation consultation. We’ll discuss your business goals, recommend the best structure, and provide a clear timeline and cost estimate for your business formation.

(210) 405-7784

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