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What is a corporation?

There are two types of corporations: S corporation (S corp) and C corporation (C corp). We’ll discuss each of these in a minute, but first let’s outline the characteristics of corporations in general. Forming a corporation shields your personal assets from business liabilities as there is a complete separation between the two finances. It is allowable in all 50 states. There are international corporations as well with their own set of rules.

Corporations are owned by a group on individuals who work together to generate a profit. Each owner controls a percentage of the corporation based on the number of shares they own. If you intend on growing and adding outside investors, you need to form a corporation. There is great deal of paperwork required to incorporate, but the advantages as far as taxes, protection and growth opportunities may be worth it.

There are several types of corporate entities, but there are two that focus on profit. S corp or a C corp are the most common choices when setting up your business. It is important to do your homework or consult with an attorney or tax consultant in order to choose the best business formation structure for you.

***If you decide that the right structure for you is LLC (Limited Liability Company) then check out our top picks for ‘Best LLC formation services‘.

Why use an online formation service to form an LLC or an s corporation?

Online filing services offer a fast and cost-effective solution to forming a business. These filing services and industry experts offer all the services you would need to launch your business, such as preparation and filing of LLCs and corporations, business licenses, legal documents, compliance and registered agent services, all in one place, for an affordable price.

Do you need help starting an LLC or an s corp? With online LLC filing services registering your business is a quick, straightforward, and smooth process and they can advise you on the right structure for your business. Forming your LLC and launching your business is no longer a complicated, lengthy, and expensive process when you leave it to these industry professionals to do the work for you. The top services also offer very knowledgeable chat support.

Professional services can also help you expedite your LLC formation. If it’s important for you to start your business fast and with minimal effort, ZenBusiness offers expedited filing including banking resolution in their Pro package for $199 + state fees. Their pro package includes everything you need to launch your business.

How to form my LLC or an s corp in 3 simple steps

Registering your company is super easy and fast when using a trusted professional formation service. Once you’ve selected a filing service, complete the following 3 steps:

1. Fill in your company name and address
2. Designate a registered agent
3. Pay for the filing service (and possible add-ons such as Operating Agreement, expedited filing service, etc…) + state fees

S-Corporation

S corporations are generally designed for smaller business entities. It works very similar to an LLC in protecting your personal assets, but you are able to pay yourself a salary from the company. Owners pay personal income tax on the profits and business income and loss is passed to the owners on tax returns. There can be no more than 100 shareholders so the entity will stay on the smaller side and have different management structure than a C corporation. Shareholders must also be US citizens or resident aliens. ZenBusiness s corp offer

C-Corporation

The C corporation might be the right choice for businesses that sell products, have a storefront and/or have employees. If you ever want to go public in the future, this is the entity you should choose in order to have unlimited shareholders. Tax implications are key in choosing this entity. Businesses must pay a corporate income tax, and dividends are distributed at the individual level. Owners pay personal income tax on profits and healthcare premiums for your employees can be written off. ZenBusiness c corp offer

Where should I file?

While you can file a corporation in any state you wish, bear in mind the extra fees and paperwork required when you file outside the state that you do business. You should consider picking the state where you live or have the most connection – where you own a house, where you have your driver’s license, or where you pay your state taxes. If your business is more complicated and you have offices in two states then you should consult on the right structure for your business.

Additional Corporation & business services

C corp vs s corp: Do I need to appoint a registered agent?

Yes, in most states, appointing a registered agent is mandatory. We highly recommend using a professional registered agent service. All brands listed on our charts offer professional registered agent services.

BOIR for corporations

Starting in 2024, new and existing U.S. businesses should submit the ‘Beneficial Ownership Information Report’ (BOIR) to FinCEN. This report includes personal information about key individuals in the company including the entity, its beneficial owners, and in some cases its company applicants. The top LLC filing services listed on our chart can help you with the BOIR requirement.

Business license

Many businesses might require licenses or permits. The license and permits requirements will depend on the type of business as well as the state in which you incorporate your business. Professional business formation services can help you obtain a business license in all 50 states and assist with submitting your BOIR.

Same day s corp and c corp filing

Rush corporation filing is available in the Pro and Premium packages with most of our top business formation services or as an upgrade to the free LLC package. ZenBusiness offers a comprehensive service that includes everything you need to launch your business. Their Pro package, priced at $199 plus state fees, covers all necessary steps for business formation.