How to Register a Corporation

Blog

January 10, 2023

A corporation is a legal entity that is separate from its owners. It has the ability to enter contracts, own property, and sue or be sued. Corporations are created by filing articles of incorporation with the state. Learning how to register a corporation is fundamental to the health of your future organization. This can be done yourself by visiting your local Secretary of State’s website and following the steps listed below. You can also start your business by reaching out to our Business Formation Specialists at Business

Rocket for assistance. The team at Business Rocket has the knowledge and experience to file the documents on your behalf so you get the most benefits from whatever business structure you select.

Here are the steps on how to register a corporation:

Choose a business name.
File your articles of incorporation.
Hold an organizational meeting.
Issue stock.
Obtain a business license.
Open a corporate bank account.
File your taxes.

Step 1: Choose a business name

Your business name must be unique and cannot be the same as any other business name in your state. You can search for available business names on your state’s secretary of state website.

Step 2: File your articles of incorporation

Your articles of incorporation are the legal documents that create your corporation. They must include the following information:

The name of your corporation
The purpose of your corporation
The address of your corporation
The number of shares of stock that your corporation will issue
The names and addresses of your corporation’s incorporators

You can file your articles of incorporation with your state’s secretary of state office.

Step 3: Hold an organizational meeting

At your organizational meeting, you will elect your corporation’s board of directors and officers. You will also adopt your corporation’s bylaws.

Step 4: Issue stock

Your corporation can issue stock to its shareholders. Stock is a share of ownership in your corporation. Shareholders have the right to vote on corporate matters and to receive dividends from the corporation’s profits.

Step 5: Obtain a business license

You will need to obtain a business license from your city or county government. The requirements for obtaining a business license vary from location to location.

Step 6: Open a corporate bank account

You should open a corporate bank account to keep your business finances separate from your personal finances. This will make it easier to track your business expenses and income.

Step 7: File your taxes

Corporations are required to file taxes with the IRS. The type of taxes that your corporation will file depends on its income and structure.

Benefits of Registering a Corporation

There are many benefits to registering a corporation, including:

Limited liability: The owners of a corporation are not personally liable for the debts and liabilities of the corporation. This means that if the corporation goes bankrupt, the owner’s personal assets will not be at risk.
Perpetual existence: A corporation exists in perpetuity, even if its owners change. This means that the corporation will not be dissolved if one or more of its owners die or sell their shares.
Ability to raise capital: Corporations can raise capital by issuing stock to investors. This can be a great way to finance the growth of your business.
Tax benefits: Corporations may be able to take advantage of certain tax benefits, such as the ability to deduct business expenses.

Knowing How to Register a Corporation

Registering a corporation is a complex process, but it can be a great way to protect your business and its assets. If you are considering starting a business, I encourage you to speak with an attorney to discuss the benefits of registering a corporation.

Call to Action

If you are ready to register a corporation, I can help you get started. I offer a variety of services to help businesses register and operate successfully. Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you achieve your business goals.