For privacy, if I use a resident agent, when do I use their address vs. my own?

I have a question regarding Resident Agents and privacy. I run a home based business and would like more privacy. If I were to hire a resident agent, do I use the resident agent address for other things, such as opening business bank accounts and applying for business credit cards or do I use my personal address? Or when I deal with customers or vendors that need to pay me and need my EIN number, am I supposed to use my resident agent address or my personal address?

Answer

The Resident Agent is for official business such as notices from the state, IRS, and lawsuits.

It's not a mail forwarding service (though some providers bundle mail forwarding with registered agent services together for your convenience).

When it comes to dealing with customers, to best protect your privacy, I would use a post office box or a private mailbox and/or mail forwarding service.

So, you would have your business address as a PO Box (all your bank statements, bills, payments from customers would be directed there--if you get a lot of mail that requires a street address, look into private mailbox services that provide street addresses), and use a registered agent service for your registered agent.

When you form your LLC with Legalzoom, you have the option to add registered agent services for $149 for the first year.