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The Arizona LLC Operations Manual: Complete Table of Contents

People who buy our Silver or Gold LLC formation packages get access to this 170 page online ebook. This book tells LLC owners everything they need to know about forming, operating, taxing, and protecting an Arizona limited liability company. It is organized into 18 chapters written by Arizona LLC attorney Richard Keyt.

18
Chapters
167
Sections
10,000+
Arizona LLCs formed
1979
Practicing Arizona law since

How to Use The Operations Manual

Forming an Arizona LLC takes a few days. Operating it correctly takes years. Most of the expensive problems I see in LLCs were not caused by the formation. They were caused by what the owners did, or failed to do, afterward: no signed Operating Agreement, a spouse who never signed a disclaimer, real estate deeded without protecting the title insurance, a forgotten statutory agent, or a member who left without any paperwork.

 

The Arizona LLC Operations Manual was written to prevent those problems. It walks you through the life of your company in order, from the day the Arizona Corporation Commission approves your Articles of Organization to what happens to a member’s interest when that member dies. Use the chapter guide below to jump straight to the topic you need, or read it front to back the first year you own your LLC.


Start Here: The Five Chapters Every Owner Should Read First
3Chapter 3: Important Tasks to Accomplish in the 1st 75 Days — the deadlines you cannot miss after formation.
6Chapter 6: LLC Operating Agreements — the contract that governs your company.
8Chapter 8: Community & Separate Property — why married members must understand Arizona property law.
10Chapter 10: When Arizona LLCs Do Not Provide Limited Liability — how owners lose the limited liability they paid for.
15Chapter 15: Arizona Statutory Agent Requirements — the agent who receives lawsuits on your company’s behalf.

Jump to a Chapter


Part I

Getting Started

Chapter
1

Introduction

What the manual covers, how to use it, and the full range of legal services KEYTLaw attorneys provide.

9 sections
1.1Overview of the Operations Manual
1.2Arizona LLC Law
1.3The KEYTLaw Arizona LLC Law Website
1.4Other KEYTLaw Websites
1.5Visit the KEYTLaw Youtube Channel
1.6Please Give Me a Testimonial
1.7Legal Services Offered by KEYTLaw Attorneys
1.8KEYTLaw is a Full Service Law Firm: Forming LLCs is One of the Many Legal Services We Offer
1.9KEYTLaw Attorney & Staff Contact Information
Chapter
2

Formation of the Company

From the Articles of Organization filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission to newspaper publication and confidential trusts.

5 sections
2.1Articles of Organization Submitted to the Arizona Corporation Commission
2.2When the New Company May Begin Doing Business
2.3Newspaper Publication
2.4When a Confidential Trust Owns an Interest in Your LLC
2.5How to Amend Your Confidential Trust
Chapter
3

Important Tasks to Accomplish in the 1st 75 Days

The formation tasks that matter most in your company’s first 75 days, and the alert system that keeps you on schedule.

2 sections
3.1Important LLC Formation Tasks to Accomplish in the First 75 Days
3.2The Operations Compliance Alert System
Part II

Understanding & Running Your LLC

Chapter
4

Arizona Limited Liability Companies

Members, managers, fiduciary duties, PLLCs, authorized filers, and keeping the Commission’s records accurate.

18 sections
4.1General Information About Arizona Limited Liability Companies
4.2The Two Types of LLCs: PLLCs vs. LLCs
4.3Statutory Difference between LLCs and PLLCs
4.4Professional Real Estate Service PLLCs
4.5Members
4.6Management: Member Managed or Manager Managed
4.7Fiduciary Duties of Members of Member Managed LLCs & PLLCs
4.8Fiduciary Duties of Managers of Manager Managed LLCs & PLLCs
4.9Liability for Filing a False Document with the Arizona Corporation Commission
4.10Annual Meetings of Members and Managers
4.11When the LLC Must Amend Its Articles of Organization
4.12What is an Authorized Filer & When Does Your LLC or PLLC Need One?
4.13Why It Is Important to Document Changes of Members and Their Percentage Interests in the Company
4.14Arizona Statutory Requirements to Become a Member of an Arizona LLC
4.15How to Add or Delete a Member or Change the Percentage Interests of Members
4.16How to Hire Richard Keyt to Document the Addition or Removal of a Member
4.17How to Change the Name of an Arizona LLC
4.18The Company’s Known Principal Address
Chapter
5

Operating the Company

EINs, bank accounts, signing contracts, trade names, holding title to assets, real estate, and title insurance.

25 sections
5.1Get an IRS Employer Identification Number for the LLC
5.2Open a Bank Account in the Name of the LLC
5.3Have all Members Sign an Operating Agreement
5.4Books and Accounting
5.5Hire an Accountant
5.6Accountants Recommended by Richard Keyt
5.7Recordkeeping Requirements
5.8Members’ Right to Inspect Company Records
5.9How the Company Should Sign Contracts
5.10Can the Company Engage in More than One Activity?
5.11How Should the LLC Hold Title to Assets?
5.12Trademarks & Service Marks
5.13Arizona Trade Names
5.14Arizona DBA or “Doing Business As”
5.15How to Search the Arizona Secretary of State’s Database of Registered Trade Name
5.16How to Register an Arizona Trade Name / DBA
5.17How to Apply for an Arizona Trade Name When Your Trust Owns Your LLC
5.18The Trust Letter
5.19Copyrights
5.20How to Transfer Real Estate to the LLC
5.21How to Prevent the Loss of Title Insurance on Real Property Transferred to the Company
5.22Title-Insurance Endorsements for Limited Liability Company Transactions
5.23Insuring Real Property Acquired by the Company
5.24Due on Sale Clauses in Real Estate Loan Documents
5.25Doing Business Outside Arizona
Chapter
6

LLC Operating Agreements

What an Operating Agreement does, what Arizona law imposes when you don’t have one, and how to change it.

12 sections
6.1What is an Operating Agreement?
6.2How is an Arizona LLC Governed if It does not have an Operating Agreement?
6.3Examples of the Arizona LLC Act’s Default Treatment with Respect to Common LLC Situations When the Members Have Not Signed an Operating Agreement
6.4The Proposed Operating Agreement
6.5Important Provisions in Your KEYTLaw Prepared Operating Agreement
6.6What Should You Do If Your Operating Agreement Contains a Springing Member Provision?
6.7What Should You Do If Your Operating Agreement Contains a Noneconomic Member Provision?
6.8How to Modify the Operating Agreement
6.9How to Create a Legally Binding Obligation on a Member to Contribute Money or Property
6.10All Members Need to Sign the Operating Agreement
6.11How to Make Changes to the Operating Agreement
6.12How to Obtain an Operating Agreement for an LLC Not Formed by Richard Keyt
Chapter
7

Buy Sell Agreement for Multi-Member LLCs

How multi-member LLCs plan for death, disability, divorce, and departures before a dispute ever starts.

12 sections
7.1What is a Buy Sell Agreement
7.2Why Multi-Member LLCs Must Adopt a Buy Sell Agreement
7.3Typical Buy-Sell Triggering Events
7.4Fixing the Purchase Price on a Buy-Out
7.5Mandatory Versus Optional Triggering Events
7.6Terms and Conditions of the Purchase
7.7Buy Sell Agreement Preparation Service
7.8My Fee to Prepare a Buy Sell Agreement
7.9Our Fee Includes Attorney Consultation & Revision Time
7.10How to Hire Me to Prepare a Buy Sell Agreement
7.11My Recommendation for Multi-Member LLCs
7.12Best Time to Adopt a Buy Sell Agreement
Part III

Ownership, Marriage & Death

Chapter
8

Community & Separate Property

How Arizona community and separate property law affects who owns an interest in your LLC.

7 sections
8.1Why You Must Understand Community & Separate Property Law & the Consequences of Not Understanding
8.2How to Determine if a Married Member Owns an Interest in the Company as Separate Property or Community Property
8.3Sample Disclaimer Form to Be Signed by a Spouse Who Does Not Own an Interest in the LLC
8.4About the Disclaimer Found as an Exhibit to Your Operating Agreement
8.5Statement of Character of Membership in the Operating Agreement
8.6Affect of Arizona Community Property Law on Nonresidents of Arizona
8.7Disclaimer to Be Signed by Spouse of a Member Who Owns His or Her Interest as Separate Property
Chapter
9

What Happens to a Member’s Interest on Death?

Why the way you hold title decides who inherits your membership interest, and how to plan ahead.

12 sections
9.1Disposition of a Membership Interest After Death Depends on How the Deceased Member Holds Title to the Interest
9.2Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS)
9.3Tenants in Common
9.4Community Property
9.5Community Property with Right of Survivorship
9.6Arizona Law Presumption that Property Acquired by Either Spouse During Marriage is Community Property
9.7Caution For Married Arizona Members Who Intend to Acquire an Interest in an LLC as Separate Property - the Nonmember Spouse Must Sign a Disclaimer
9.8How to Determine How an Unmarried Person Holds Title to His or Her Membership Interest in an Arizona Limited Liability Company
9.9How to Determine How a Married Member Holds Title to His or Her Membership Interest in an Arizona Limited Liability Company
9.10How Most Members Hold Title Their Membership Interest in an LLC
9.11Who Will Inherit Your Membership Interest When You Die?
9.12What You Must Do to Insure that When You Die Your Membership Interest Will be Inherited by the Person(s) You Chose as Quickly and Inexpensively as Possible
Part IV

Protecting Your Limited Liability

Chapter
10

When Arizona LLCs Do Not Provide Limited Liability

When members and managers can lose their liability shield, from veil piercing to personal guarantees.

9 sections
10.1Fundamental Rules of Asset Protection
10.2General Rule: Members and Managers of an Arizona LLC are Not Liable for Debts of the Company
10.3When an LLC Does Not Protect Members and Managers from the Company’s Liabilities
10.4The Importance of Complying with Arizona LLC Law
10.5Piercing the Corporate / Company Veil – the Ultimate Disaster
10.6Factors that Increase the Risk that a Court May Pierce the Company Veil and Hold the Members Liable for the LLC’s Debts
10.7Personal Guarantees
10.8Liability for False Statements in the Articles of Organization
10.9When Should You Diversify & Form a New LLC?
Part V

Federal & Arizona Taxes and Employees

Chapter
11

Federal Income Tax Issues

EINs, how the IRS taxes LLCs by default, and electing S corporation or C corporation status.

14 sections
11.1Federal Employer Identification Numbers
11.2We Get the EIN for Purchasers of Our Silver & Gold LLC Packages
11.3How to Get a Federal Employer Identification Number for Your LLC
11.4Update Your LLC's EIN Information if there is a Change in the Responsible Party or Contact Information
11.5How to Notify the IRS If You Change the Name of Your Company
11.6How Non-U.S. Citizens Get an EIN for Their LLC
11.7How to Get Your LLC's EIN if You Lose It
11.8Federal Income Taxation of LLC
11.9Electing C Corporation or S Corporation Tax Status
11.10Relief for Late Filing of Form 2553 to Elect S Corp Status
11.11Partnership Taxation Issues
11.12Federal Tax Forms
11.13Request for Taxpayer Identification Number: IRS Form W-9
11.14KEYTLaw Not Hired to Give Tax Advice
Chapter
12

Employees and Independent Contractors

Classifying workers correctly, payroll taxes, and the IRS rules that separate employees from contractors.

13 sections
12.1Employees, Payroll Taxes and the Importance of Hiring a Payroll Service to Do Payroll & Prepare & File Payroll Tax Returns
12.2The General Rule for Employees & Independent Contractors
12.3The Importance of Properly Classifying Employees & Independent Contractors
12.4Who is an Independent Contractor?
12.5How to Report Payments Made to Independent Contractors
12.6Common-Law Employees
12.7Common-Law Rules - Factors Considered by the IRS
12.8Statutory Employees
12.9Social Security and Medicare Taxes for Statutory Employees
12.10Statutory Nonemployees
12.11Misclassification of Employees
12.12What to Do If You Are Unsure About a Worker’s Status
12.13Where to Get More Information on This Topic
Chapter
13

Arizona Taxes & Unemployment Insurance

Arizona tax ID numbers, state income tax withholding, use tax, and unemployment insurance.

6 sections
13.1How to Obtain an Arizona State Tax ID Number, Use Tax & Employer Withholding Number
13.2Arizona Department of Revenue E-Business Services
13.3Withholding of State Income Tax from Wages
13.4Arizona Income Tax Withholding Frequently Asked Questions
13.5Arizona Use Tax
13.6Arizona Unemployment Insurance
Chapter
14

Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax

Arizona’s transaction privilege tax: who needs a license, city taxes, filing deadlines, and cancellation.

10 sections
14.1What is the Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax?
14.2More About the Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax
14.3How to Apply for the Transaction Privilege Tax License Online
14.4Arizona City Transaction Privilege Taxes
14.5Arizona Cities that are “Nonprogram” TPT Cities
14.6How to Check if an Arizona City Has Licensing Information Online
14.7Changes that Affect the TPT License
14.8Due Dates of TPT Returns
14.9Transaction Privilege Tax Special Situations
14.10How to Cancel a TPT License
Part VI

Compliance & Legal Representation

Chapter
15

Arizona Statutory Agent Requirements

What a statutory agent does, who should serve, how to change one, and how to reinstate a terminated LLC.

7 sections
15.1What is an Arizona Statutory Agent?
15.2Why the Statutory Agent is Important
15.3Who Should Be the Company’s Statutory Agent
15.4KEYTLaw Statutory Agent Service
15.5How to Change the Company’s Statutory Agent
15.6$100 Fee to Reinstate the Company if the Arizona Corporation Commission Terminates the Company
15.7How to Review the ACC’s Records About the Company
Chapter
16

KEYTLaw Legal Representation

The scope of KEYTLaw’s engagement, additional services, document retention, and disputes.

4 sections
16.1Scope of Legal Services
16.2Additional Legal Services
16.3KEYTLaw Document Retention Policy
16.4Disputes
Chapter
17

Legal Services Provided by KEYTLaw Attorneys

How to reach KEYTLaw attorneys and staff, and the business legal services the firm provides.

2 sections
17.1KEYTLaw Attorney & Staff Contact Information
17.2KEYTLaw’s Business Legal Services
Chapter
18

LLC Legal Audit

A legal checkup that finds and fixes the problems in an existing Arizona LLC before they cost you.

Online legal audit

Related Arizona LLC Articles

The step-by-step formation guide.
Companion reading for Chapter 7.
Companion reading for Chapter 4.
All of KEYTLaw’s Arizona LLC resources in one place.

Hire Experienced Arizona LLC Attorneys

Let Us Form Your Arizona LLC the Right Way

Arizona LLC attorneys Richard Keyt and his son, attorney and former CPA Richard C. Keyt, have formed 10,000+ Arizona LLCs.

 

See the contents of our Bronze, Silver & Gold LLC packages.

 

To hire us to form an LLC submit our online questionnaire at keytlaw.com/llcq, call 480-664-7478, or email rk@keytlaw.com.


This table of contents is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Copyright 2026 Richard Keyt | All Rights Reserved.

Created November 8, 2026, by Richard Keyt, Arizona attorney

Call, email or text Richard Keyt, father

Direct phone: 480-664-7478

Email: rk@keytlaw.com

See his bio

Call, email or text Richard C. Keyt, son

Direct phone: 480-664-7472

Email: rck@keytlaw.com

See his bio