Certificate of Formation Help Guides

Very few states require that the articles of incorporation be filed in person, and even then, it is only required in a few states for those who wish to expedite the filing time. These days most states accept the articles of incorporation via mail or fax, and many are also now offering online filing portals....

“EIN” stands for Employer Identification Number and is required by the IRS for tax identification purposes for any business with employees as well as businesses falling under a few other categories. Specifically, the IRS requires that a business obtain an EIN if it: has employees; operates as a corporation or partnership; withholds taxes on income o...

Legal proceedings can be very intimidating for businesses, especially for those who are unprepared. A lawsuit and a settlement or judgment looks slightly different for each business structure. It will also vary depending on the nature of the claim, whether you have insurance, and who is asserting the lawsuit. Planning ahead can save you and your bus...

Once you get the most common business licenses, including your occupational license, you need to look at other permits and licenses you may need for your specific business. Certain types of businesses will need more licenses and permits. In the excitement and stress of setting up a business, it is easy to forget one of the many licenses and permits...

If you are interested in forming an S corp or C corp, you will not get far without filing articles of incorporation. Sometimes referred to as a corporate charter, this critical document establishes your business as an official corporate entity. Valid articles of incorporation outline essential information such as the company's name, where it is base...

According to the Conway Center for Family Business, the majority of United States businesses are family owned; upwards of 80 percent of businesses are family based. Even big businesses like Ford, Marriot, and Walmart are family held. These family-based businesses do more than just keep everyone employed and prospering; they also account for about 60...

You are ready to embrace the entrepreneurial life. This is an exciting time—but also one of uncertainty. Before you proceed with an LLC operating agreement or articles of incorporation, you will need to make arguably the most important decision of all: business entity classification. From sole proprietorship to C corp, options abound. Tread carefull...

You have developed a genius idea, drafted a mission for your company, and are ready to take the next step in the business formation process. Next up: your articles, which achieves legal recognition from your Secretary of State. As you proceed with developing your company's articles of incorporation or articles of organization, consider who you want...

When business professionals want to know the legal differences between a limited liability company (LLC) and a corporation, the underlying issue is which entity will benefit the business most. This is a complicated question that will depend on your business plan and issues like tax obligations, asset protection, foreign investment needs, and much mo...

Starting your own business can be exciting and deeply gratifying, but it is also rife with challenges—including numerous legal forms. Preparation is critical; without understanding the complications that lie ahead, it is easy to go about the process of business formation in the wrong order. Follow these steps to ensure you have a smooth and easy pro...