Form 205--General Information (Certificate of Formation--Limited Liability Company) The attached form is designed to meet minimal statutory filing requirements pursuant to the relevant code provisions. This form and the information provided are not substitutes for the advice and services of an attorney and tax specialist. Commentary The limited liability company (hereinafter LLC) is neither a corporation nor a partnership; rather, it is a distinct type of entity. An LLC is governed by title 3, chapter 101 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC). Title 1, chapter 3, subchapter A of the BOC governs the formation of an LLC and sets forth the provisions required or permitted to be contained in the certificate of formation. The owners of an LLC are called "members." An LLC may have one or more members. Members may be individuals, partnerships, corporations, and any other type of legal entity. Taxes: LLCs are subject to a state franchise tax. Contact the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Tax Assistance Section, Austin, Texas, 78774-0100, (512) 463-4600 or (800) 252-1381 for franchise tax information. For information relating to federal employer identification numbers, federal income tax filing requirements, tax publications, and forms call (800) 829-3676 or visit the Internal Revenue Service web site at www.irs.gov. Instructions for Form Article 1--Entity Name and Type: Provide a company name and organizational designation. Under section 5.053 of the BOC, if the name chosen is the same as, deceptively similar to, or similar to the name of any existing domestic or foreign filing entity, or any name reservation or registration filed with the secretary of state, the document cannot be filed. The administrative rules adopted for determining entity name availability (Texas Administrative Code, title 1, part 4, chapter 79, subchapter C) may be viewed at www.sos.state.tx.us/tac/index.shtml. If you wish the secretary of state to provide a preliminary determination on name availability, you may call (512) 463-5555, dial 7-1-1 for relay services, or e-mail your name inquiry to corpinfo@sos.state.tx.us. A final determination cannot be made until the document is received and processed by the secretary of state. Do not make financial expenditures or execute documents based on a preliminary clearance. Also note that the preclearance of a name or the issuance of a certificate of formation under a name does not authorize the use of a name in violation of another person's rights to the name. Article 2--Registered Agent and Registered Office: The registered agent can be either (option A) a domestic entity or a foreign entity that is registered to do business in Texas or (option B) an individual resident of the state. The limited liability company cannot act as its own registered agent; do not enter the limited liability company name as the name of the registered agent. Consent: Effective January 1, 2010, a person designated as the registered agent of an entity must have consented, either in a written or electronic form, to serve as the registered agent of the entity. Although consent is required, a copy of the person's written or electronic consent need not be submitted with the certificate of formation. The liabilities and penalties imposed by sections 4.007 and 4.008 of the BOC apply with respect to a false statement in a filing instrument that names a person as the registered agent of an entity without that person's consent. (BOC § 5.207) Form 205 1 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com Office Address Requirements: The registered office address must be located at a street address where service of process may be personally served on the entity's registered agent during normal business hours. Although the registered office is not required to be the entity's principal place of business, the registered office may not be solely a mailbox service or telephone answering service (BOC § 5.201). Article 3--Governing Authority: The certificate of formation must state whether the LLC will or will not have managers. If the LLC will have managers, select option A and provide the name and address of each initial manager in the space provided. If the LLC will not have managers, select option B and provide the name and address of each initial member of the LLC in the space provided. A minimum of one person is required. If the governing person is an individual, set forth the name of the individual in the format specified. Do not use prefixes (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms.). Use the suffix box only for titles of lineage (e.g., Jr., Sr., III) and not for other suffixes or titles (e.g., M.D., Ph.D.). If the governing person is an organization, set forth the legal name of the organization. For each governing person, only one name should be entered. Do not include both the name of an individual and the name of an organization. An address is always required for each governing person. Please note that a document on file with the secretary of state is a public record that is subject to public access and disclosure. When providing address information for a manager or member, use a business or post office box address rather than a residence address if privacy concerns are an issue. Article 4--Purpose: An LLC may be formed for any lawful purpose or purposes not expressly prohibited under chapter 2 of title 1 or title 3 of the BOC. This form provides for the creation of an LLC with a general purpose. Please note that while the BOC allows a general purpose, other laws, including the Internal Revenue Code, may require that the certificate of formation include more specific purposes or language as a basis for granting a license or tax-exempt or tax-deductible status. The additional space provided in the "Supplemental Provisions/Information" section may be used to set forth a more specific purpose or purposes. This form cannot be used to engage in a licensed activity when such license cannot be issued to the LLC. To form a professional limited liability to provide a professional service use Form 206. Supplemental Provisions/Information: Additional space has been provided for additional text to an article within this form or to provide for additional articles to contain optional provisions. Duration: Pursuant to section 3.003 of the BOC, a Texas LLC exists perpetually unless provided otherwise in the certificate of formation. If formation of an LLC with a stated period of duration is desired, use the "Supplemental Provisi