Law Offices of Boucher & Kanan
Starting a Corporation
If you are thinking of starting a corporation, below is a checklist of steps to take before you open for business. Keep in mind that your corporation's startup requirements might vary from the list below, depending on the specific type of business you are in, and where your business is located.
- Decide on a business name for your corporation. Keep in mind that your state may require that your corporation's name include an identifying word such as "incorporated," "limited," "corporation," or an abbreviation of such a term.
- Search availability of your corporation's chosen business name, and for similarity to existing names.
- Register your corporation's name
- Pick a place to incorporate.
- Choose directors for your corporation.
- Create and sign your corporation's articles of incorporation.
- Write your corporation's by-laws.
- Create a shareholder agreement.
- File your corporation's articles of incorporation with your state's Secretary of Stateoffice, and pay related filing fees.
- Elect "S" corporation tax status .
- Open a separate bank account for your corporation.
- Start a minute book for your corporation's meetings.
- Hold your first board of directors' meeting.
- Issue certificates to your corporation's initial stockholders (if applicable).
- Obtain business licenses and permits for your corporation from:
- The federal government.
- Your state government.
- Your local government.
- Follow all legal requirements for running a corporation.
