Incorporation
Establish a Corporation.
The structure investors recognize. Stock, a board, and the separation between company and shareholder that lets a US business raise capital and stand on its own credit.
What it is
A Corporation, in plain terms.
A Corporation, also written as C-Corp, is the entity that runs on a board of directors elected by its shareholders. Understanding what sets it apart is the first step in choosing well.
Because the Corporation is a separate legal entity, the company's commercial debts stay separate from the personal liabilities of its directors, investors, and shareholders. That separation is foundational, and it's what lets the company take on commitments without exposing the people behind it.
Where a Corporation differs sharply from an LLC is in stock. A Corporation issues shares, can list them on a public market, and can transfer ownership without restructuring the company. That makes it the structure investors expect when they put capital in.
Eligibility
Who can incorporate.
Anyone, US resident or not, can form a Corporation. The path is open to founders worldwide. The requirements are administrative, not personal.
You'll need a valid identification document. For foreign founders, an ID or passport from your country of residence is sufficient. The Corporation also needs a physical address in the state of incorporation, where official notices and correspondence are received.
Once incorporated, you can begin opening US bank accounts, applying for an EIN, and accepting payments globally. The doors that were closed before, to capital, to credit, and to platforms, open in sequence.
Two requirements that apply
- Identification document: your national ID or passport, regardless of residency.
- Physical address in the state of incorporation: this is where official notices arrive and where your registered agent operates.
Stock and shareholders
Built around shares.
What sets a Corporation apart from any other US entity is its share structure. Ownership is expressed in stock, and stock is fluid.
Shares are easily transferable. A shareholder can sell their stake without restructuring the company or amending the operating documents. That makes the Corporation the natural choice for anyone planning to raise capital or eventually list publicly.
Capital itself is raised by issuing more shares, not by taking on personal debt or restructuring partner contributions. The company can grow its balance sheet by selling equity, and the founders' liability stays bounded.
Why this structure
Six reasons to incorporate.
The Corporation isn't always the right answer; for many small founders, an LLC is simpler and cheaper. But where a Corporation wins, it wins decisively. These are the six reasons clients choose this structure with us.
- Investor-grade. A Corporation is the structure venture and angel investors expect to fund. Stock is recognizable, transferable, and ready for term sheets.
- Stock-market access. Corporations can list shares publicly. The entity is built for valuation, intervention in markets, and emerging-market access.
- Liability separation. Director, investor, and shareholder liabilities are distinct from the company's. Corporate debts don't reach personal assets.
- Easy ownership transfer. Shares can change hands cleanly, without restructuring the entity or amending core documents.
- Capital access. Raise money by issuing shares, not by adding debt or restructuring. Equity expands without straining the company's credit.
- Open to non-residents. There's no citizenship requirement. Foreign founders can own and run a US Corporation directly.
What's included
Everything in your formation package.
- IDs and documents review
- Preliminary verification of corporate name
- State registration filing
- Articles of Incorporation (filing and copy)
- Certificate of Status
- BOI reporting
Questions
Frequently asked
Does a Corporation file income tax only as a company?
No. The Corporation pays its own corporate income tax at 21%. When shareholders receive dividends, they file personal returns on those distributions as well: the source of what's commonly called double taxation.
Is a Corporation only for large companies?
Not at all. Corporations work for small, mid-size, and large companies. There's no minimum number of partners, and no upper limit on shareholders. The structure scales from a one-person founding team to a publicly traded company.
What's the difference between a C-Corp and an S-Corp?
Two things. First, an S-Corp can only be owned by US citizens or residents and is capped at 100 shareholders. Second, an S-Corp's profits flow through to partners' personal returns, while a C-Corp pays its own corporate tax. Most non-resident founders form a C-Corp for that reason.
Is Inc the same as Corp?
Inc abbreviates Incorporated; Corp abbreviates Corporation. Legally and tax-wise they're identical; both refer to a corporation formed under state law. They aren't interchangeable in the registered name though: once you incorporate as one, you keep that suffix.
How does a Corporation protect my personal assets?
The Corporation is its own legal entity. Its assets and liabilities are separate from yours. If a creditor sues the company, they can only reach company assets, not the directors', shareholders', or investors' personal property. That separation is the central reason most founders incorporate.
How is a Corporation taxed?
C-Corporations file their own income tax return and pay 21% federal tax on net profit for the fiscal year. State corporate tax varies. Dividend distributions trigger withholding for shareholders depending on residency and treaty status.
Begin your Corporation.
Twenty-four years of experience, fifteen thousand companies formed across all 50 states. Your Corporation can be filed today.
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