Idaho LLC Operating Agreement

An Idaho LLC Operating Agreement, in plain language, is essentially a customized plan for your LLC that offers a straightforward structure for managing its daily activities. Picture it as we're having coffee together, and I'm describing it as your one-of-a-kind guidebook specifying the guidelines for operating your business, covering aspects such as ownership division, decision-making methods, and plans for leadership transition.


Last Updated: Oct. 23, 2024

Operating Agreement
Idaho LLC Operating Agreement Template | Legal GPS
17:04

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(S Corp)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed as an S Corporation.

contractImage D

Manager-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Manager-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(S Corp)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed as an S Corporation.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Multi-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

Legal-GPS-Hero-Image-5

Legal GPS Pro

Get access to all our operating agreements, 100+ other important contract templates, and a step-by-step, interactive platform that will help you build a solid legal foundation for your business. All included in Legal GPS Pro.

Do you need an operating agreement in Idaho?

No, it's not legally required in Idaho under § 30-25-102. Single-member LLCs need an operating agreement to preserve their corporate veil and to prove ownership. And multi-member LLCs need one to help provide operating guidance, determine voting rights and contributions.

What's included in an Idaho operating agreement?

Here are some key components that are typically included in a Idaho LLC operating agreement:

  1. Name and Purpose

  2. LLC Management - Member or Manager

  3. Registered Agent

  4. LLC Duration

  5. Capital Contributions

  6. Indemnification

  7. LLC Tax Status

  8. Profit and Loss Distributions

  9. Amending your LLC

  10. Corporate Formalities Waiver

  11. Dissolution

  12. Effective Date

Step-By-Step Guide for Creating an Operating Agreement

Let's break down the usual sections and provide some explanation for each to guide you.

1. LLC Name and Purpose

Obviously, by this stage, you know your LLC's name—it's the one registered during your LLC's formation. However, it's equally paramount to describe your LLC's role. A generalized statement offers flexibility for branching into new ventures without having to refile paperwork.

OPERATING AGREEMENT of [COMPANY NAME]

This operating agreement is adopted as of [Date] (the “Effective Date”), by [Member’s Name], an individual and the sole member (the “Member”) of [Company Name] (the “Company”).

 

The Member hereby adopts this agreement as the operating agreement of the Company, which agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the Member regarding its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements regarding its subject matter. 

 

The purpose of the Company is [Company Purpose], and the conduct of other activities as may be necessary or appropriate to promote the stated purposes, and to engage in any other lawful business or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Act.

2. Management Structure - Member-Managed or Manager-Managed

Here, you get to declare if your Idaho LLC is either member-managed or manager-managed. This part also delineates each member's rights and duties, including capital contributions, voting privileges, and management structure. Though it might seem needless as a solo member, it's invaluable when it comes to establishing your single-member LLC.

Member-Managed LLC.

The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by the Member. The vote, action, decision, or consent of the Member will constitute a valid decision of the Member and the Company. The Member may appoint one or more officers (including the Member, if the Member is an individual) who will have such powers and authority to act on behalf of the Company granted to them by the Member.

OR

Manager-Managed LLC.

The business and affairs of the Company will be managed by the manager of the Company and any successor thereto appointed by the Member, which manager may also be referred to as the Company’s president (the “Manager”). The initial Manager will be [Manager Name], who will serve until the Manager’s death, removal by the Member (for any reason or no reason), or resignation. The Manager will have the right and authority to manage the affairs of the Company and make decisions and take action with respect thereto without further approval or consent of any kind by the Member. Except as otherwise required by this agreement and in lieu of any limitations set forth in [State Name]’s laws for limited liability companies (the “Act”), the Manager will be solely responsible for and is hereby authorized to manage and operate the business of the Company. Except to the extent that the authority of the Manager is expressly limited by the Member, the vote, action, decision, or consent of the Manager will constitute a valid decision of the Manager and the Company.

3. Registered Agent

Your registered agent is the designate for receiving and handling vital paperwork for your company. You have the choice to include this in the LLC agreement, but it's not compulsory, given that it's mentioned in the formation paperwork filed with your state.

The Company’s registered agent in State is: Registered Agent Name, Address. The members may designate other registered agents or offices at any time in this state or, if necessary, in other states.

4. Duration of Your LLC

The "LLC term" is just a fancy way of referring to your Limited Liability Company's lifespan as stated in your formation paperwork. Many business proprietors establish LLCs with indefinite operational intervals, but there's an option to specify a particular period or expiry for your LLC.

Defaults for LLCs in most states become "perpetual"- indicating an endless lifespan if nothing else is specified. Most Idaho LLCs opt for perpetual duration, but here's a provision sample for you:

The duration of the Company will be perpetual.

5. Capital Contributions

Capital Contributions are the initial investments you use to trigger your LLC's operations. If you're a single-member LLC, you control the capital contributions, allowing you to choose how much you want to invest in your business.

Accurately documenting your capital contributions is vital as it offers transparency about your business's financial infrastructure and comes in handy for tax reasons.

The Member’s capital contribution(s) to the capital of the Company for the Member’s membership interest in the Company will be reflected on the books and records of the Company.

OR

The members have made or shall make the contributions of cash, property or services to the LLC as set forth on Exhibit A attached

6. Indemnification

An Indemnification provision in your LLC’s Operating Agreement serves as a safety harness, shielding members from specific expenses linked to legal issues that may spring up from their duties for the business. This means the LLC will offset any legal costs or damages if a member faces a lawsuit related to their business responsibilities.

Your agreement should vividly define the circumstances and exceptions when the LLC provides this protection. Typically, indemnification doesn't cover intentional misconduct or serious negligence. It's therefore paramount to tailor these terms based on your business's unique risks.

The Member, the Manager, the officers, and the organizer of the Company and their respective affiliates, stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, trustees, and representatives (individually, an “Indemnitee”) will be indemnified by the Company against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, in which the Indemnitee may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise by reason of the Indemnitee’s status as any of the foregoing, which relates to or arises out of the Company or its assets, business, or affairs, if in each of the foregoing cases (A) the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, and (B) the Indemnitee’s conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, will not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in clause (A) or (B) above. Any indemnification under this section 5 will be made only out of the assets of the Company, and the Member will not have any personal liability on account thereof.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(S Corp)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed as an S Corporation.

contractImage D

Manager-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Manager-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(S Corp)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed as an S Corporation.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Multi-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

Legal-GPS-Hero-Image-5

Legal GPS Pro

Get access to all our operating agreements, 100+ other important contract templates, and a step-by-step, interactive platform that will help you build a solid legal foundation for your business. All included in Legal GPS Pro.

7. LLC Tax Status

Just like a chameleon, your Idaho LLC can take on one of four tax statuses: sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, or C corporation. Your chosen status and the number of members dictate how your LLC gets taxed.

Include tax status specifications in your operating agreement, discussing how you can alter it, and how you manage tax returns and allocations (when necessary). This gives your business a financial plan, covering profits, losses, dividends, and taxes, and offering a clear course for tending to any tax-related concerns.

The Company will be disregarded for federal and state income tax purposes. The admission of one or more additional members, however, will cause the Company to be recognized for tax purposes, and to be taxed, as a partnership.

OR

The Member acknowledges that the Company has elected to be taxed as a corporation for federal tax purposes pursuant to the regulations currently in effect under Section 7701 of the Code, and to be taxed as an electing small business corporation under the provisions of Subchapter S of the Code. Notwithstanding such tax treatment, the Member acknowledges and agrees that the Company will be a limited liability company, for state law purposes, under the provisions of the Act, the Articles of Organization, and this operating agreement.

 

The Member acknowledges that the Company has filed or will timely file a Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) with the Internal Revenue Service and that the election made pursuant to the filing is or will be in force and effect covering all periods since the date of this operating agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this operating agreement, during the term of this operating agreement and the continuation of the Company’s “S” corporation election under Section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code, no Member shall take any action which would cause the revocation or termination of the Company’s “S” election (under Section 1362(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) and any attempt to take such an action will be null and void and without effect. Without limiting the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, any transfer or attempt to transfer any membership interest to any of the following will be null, void, and without effect:

 

(a) a person whose ownership thereof would cause the Company to have a number of Members and assignees of membership interests (shareholders of an “S” corporation) greater than the number permitted by Section 1361(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(b) an individual who is not a United States citizen or resident;

 

(c) a trust (or the trustee thereof) which fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 1361(c)(2)(A) or 1361(d) of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(d) a corporation; and

 

(e)any other entity whose ownership would cause the termination or revocation of the Company’s tax status as an “S” corporation.

8. Distribution of Profits and Losses

The profit and loss distribution section indicates when your LLC will disperse its earnings. For single-member LLCs, this clause may be less critical. However, for LLCs with multiple members, it's important to specify the prerequisites and the methods for distribution.

As the sole member of the LLC, the Member is entitled to all profits of the LLC and is responsible for all its losses. Profits and losses shall be determined annually and will be allocated to the Member's capital account. Distributions of cash or other assets will be made at such times and in such amounts as deemed appropriate by the Member.  

Legal GPS Subscription

Legal GPS Pro

Protect your business with our complete legal subscription service, designed by top startup attorneys.

  • Complete Legal Toolkit
  • 100+ Editable Contracts
  • Affordable Legal Guidance
  • Custom Legal Status Report
Subscribe TodayLearn more

9. Agreement Amendments

Need to alter anything in your LLC? Simply stick to your LLC’s amendment clause. For an LLC with one member, this process is straightforward. However, for multi-member LLCs, thoroughly weigh your priorities concerning the voting percentages and criteria for amending the operating agreement.

This agreement and the articles of organization of the Company may not be altered, modified, or changed, and no provision of this agreement may be waived, except by an amendment or waiver, as applicable, approved by the Member.

10. Corporate Formalities Waiver

Granting LLCs don't typically stick to corporate protocols, these tend to align more with corporations. However, in certain instances, failing to observe such formality may risk maintaining your corporate veil. Hence, we suggest including a formality waiver in the operating agreement.

The failure of the Company or the Member to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business or affairs under this operating agreement or the laws in the state in which the Company is which govern limited liability companies will not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Member for liabilities of the Company.

11. Dissolution

This is your plan B for when things don't go as planned. It specifies how to terminate your LLC and who will retain control if you are no longer part of the LLC.

Upon the occurrence of any event which terminates the continued membership of the Member in the Company, the Company will not be dissolved, and the business of the Company will continue. The Member hereby specifically consents to such continuation of the business of the Company upon any such event. The Member’s legal representative, assignee, or successor will automatically become an assignee of the Member’s interest and will automatically become a substitute Member in place of the withdrawn Member.

12. Effective Date

The effective date of your operating agreement is the day it becomes live. In other words, it's the day your agreement "takes effect."

 

Contract Banner

 

Do you need to formally file your Agreement?

Not at all. Your operating agreement, unlike your Articles of Organization, is an internal document that you keep in your business records. Sign it and maintain a copy in an accessible location. That's all it takes!

What If You Need to Add Another Member to Your LLC Later?

For most business owners, the opportunity to grow and add another member to the LLC is a thrilling prospect. Should you be in this position, you'll need to revise your paperwork in line with the new partner's agreement. Most likely, you'll brew a completely unique agreement since a multi-member operating agreement greatly differs from a single-member version.

Idaho LLC Operating Agreement Laws

  • Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act § 30-25-102: While Idaho law does not necessitate an Operating Agreement for an LLC, it is highly advised to create one to lay out the rules and guidelines of the business, manage member relationships, and avoid default state rules that might not align with the preferences of the LLC's members.
  • Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act § 30-25-201: Dictates the "Formation of LLC," requiring the submission of a document known as the Certificate of Organization to the Secretary of State to officially establish an LLC.
  • Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act § 30-25-407: This section addresses the "Management and Voting Rights" within an LLC. Per this code, unless otherwise provided in the Operating Agreement, each member has equal rights to participate in the LLC's management and daily operations.
  • Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act § 30-25-304: States that members and managers are not personally liable for a company's debts, obligations, or liabilities just because of their role in the company. So, their personal assets are safe. Plus, even if the company doesn't follow proper procedures in its activities or management, it's not a reason to impose liability on members or managers. In other words, an LLC's legal responsibilities belong solely to the company, keeping members and managers protected, even if the company is dissolved. Time for a worry-free coffee toast!
  • Idaho Uniform Limited Liability Company Act § 30-25-702: Discusses the "Events Causing Dissolution" and outlines the circumstances in which an LLC's closure warrants the winding up of its affairs and asset distribution.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(S Corp)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Member-Managed LLCs taxed as an S Corporation.

contractImage D

Manager-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

contractImage D

Manager-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(S Corp)

$35

Template for Idaho Single-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed as an S Corporation.

contractImage D

Member-Managed
Operating Agreement Template
(Default)

$35

Template for Idaho Multi-Member, Manager-Managed LLCs taxed under the default status.

Legal-GPS-Hero-Image-5

Legal GPS Pro

Get access to all our operating agreements, 100+ other important contract templates, and a step-by-step, interactive platform that will help you build a solid legal foundation for your business. All included in Legal GPS Pro.