How to start a moving company in Michigan (2026)
Everything a new moving company in Michigan needs in the first months: registration, licenses, taxes, insurance and the yearly deadlines, with official links.
1. Register your business
Most owners form an LLC with the Michigan Corporations Division (LARA). Once it's registered, find it here to claim a free website and see your exact dates.
2. Licenses
Moving household goods across state lines needs a USDOT number and household goods authority from FMCSA, insurance and a BOC-3 on file, and an arbitration program for disputes. Moves only inside Michigan are regulated by the state, and many states require a mover's permit. How to get a USDOT number
Your city or county may also require a general business license or tax receipt.
3. Taxes
Get a free EIN from the IRS first. How. Register with Michigan before your first taxable sale. Register in Michigan
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, you pay estimated tax four times a year.
Michigan's yearly report
An annual statement is due February 15 every year. LLCs formed after September 30 skip the first one. The state fee is about $25.
Example: an LLC formed today would have its first one due Feb 15, 2027.
Your first-month checklist
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Get your mover registrations
Moving household goods across state lines needs a USDOT number and household goods authority from FMCSA, insurance and a BOC-3 on file, and an arbitration program for disputes. Moves only inside Michigan are regulated by the state, and many states require a mover's permit. How to get a USDOT number
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Insure your trucks and the goods you carry
Commercial auto covers the truck; cargo coverage protects customers' belongings. Interstate movers must keep proof on file with FMCSA. See options
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Get general liability insurance
Covers damage to a building or a customer's home during a move. See options
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Get your EIN
Free from the IRS, online in about 10 minutes. Banks, clients and payroll all ask for it. You never need to pay a service for it. How to get it free
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Open a business bank account
Keeps the company's money separate from yours, which is what protects your LLC. See options
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Payroll and workers' comp before your first hire
Most states require workers' comp once you have employees, and payroll software handles the tax filings. See options
What insurance costs
| Coverage | Median per month |
|---|---|
| General liability | $120 |
| Commercial auto | $876 |
| Workers' compensation | $755 |
Source: Insureon, Jun 2025. Your price depends on your work, location and history.
Other trades in Michigan
Sources: state agency sites linked above; annual report rules compiled from state sites (checked Oct 2026). Rules change, so confirm with the agency before filing.