A corporation is a business structure that provides personal liability protection by separating the owner’s personal assets from the business’s assets. Thus, a corporation is liable for the business’s actions and finances, while the owners (known as shareholders) are not.
Corporation Pros
- Corporations provide liability protection for the shareholders
- A corporation can raise non-debt financing by selling shares of the business
- Taxation may be lower than a sole proprietorship or partnership
Corporation Cons
- Corporations are more complex and expensive to set up than sole proprietorships, partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- At a minimum, corporations are required to hold an annual board of directors meeting and shareholders meeting, take minutes at the meetings, issue shares, etc., to maintain the entity’s liability protection.
Generally, Corporations are chosen over Limited Liability Companies when a significant amount of funding is being raised from investors. However, due to the cost and complexity of a Corporation, most small businesses are better off forming an LLC.
Related: How To Form An LLC In New Mexico
The following steps are to create a domestic Corporation, which is the most common type for businesses. The other types of Corporations in New Mexico include a foreign Corporation (an out-of-state Corporation wanting approval to physically operate in the state), a professional Corporation (designated for Corporations offering professional services), or a non-profit Corporation.
Related: New Mexico Business Checklist
Steps to Forming a Corporation in New Mexico
Step 1: Choose a Name
The first step in forming a Corporation in New Mexico is selecting a name.
The name of the Corporation has to be different from other entity names in the state of New Mexico. Check available corporation names in New Mexico.
The name of the Corporation must include one of the following designators at the end of the business name:
- Corporation
- Company
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Or an abbreviation for one of those words: Corp., Co., Inc., or Ltd.
A comma may be used after the business name and before the designator. For example, “Common Grounds Coffee Inc.” and “Common Grounds Coffee, Inc.” are both acceptable.
If there is a name you want but are not ready to register the Corporation, you can file the Application for Reservation of a Domestic Profit Corporate Name with the New Mexico Secretary of State. The name reservation will hold a name for up to 120 days.
While a Corporation has to select a unique name that another New Mexico Corporation isn’t using, that doesn’t guarantee that the name isn’t currently used by someone else. Before registering a Corporation name, be sure to do a trademark search to verify it is available for you to use.
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
To have a Corporation in New Mexico, a New Mexico Registered Agent must be identified to act as a central point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc., on behalf of the Corporation. This can either be a resident of New Mexico or a commercial registered agent service.
You can act as the Corporation’s Registered Agent in New Mexico, and you are not required to pay for a registered agent. The requirements to be a Registered Agent include someone generally present at a physical street address in the state during normal business hours. A PO Box is not allowed.
Related: Do I Need To Hire A Registered Agent In New Mexico?
Step 3: File the New Mexico Articles of Incorporation
Next, you can start filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. The Articles of Incorporation can be filed on the Secretary of State’s website or in paper form.
The information requested includes:
- The name of the Corporation must contain the words “Corporation,” “Company,” “Incorporated,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation.
- The number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue.
- The purpose of why the Corporation is being organized.
- Information regarding the shares of the Corporation. This section includes the class of stock (common stock is most common), the number of shares authorized, and the value of those shares.
- Whether the Corporation elects to be designated as a Benefit Corporation.
- Duration of the Corporation. Most will choose perpetual as the end date as the business. Some businesses (such as an investment fund or real estate investment) will already have established a final date to close the Corporation.
- Registered Agent’s name and registered office address
- Business address for the principal place of business.
- Name and address of the initial board of directors.
- The name and address of the initial incorporator(s). These can be the corporation’s owners or someone helping with the formation of the entity.
In addition, the designated initial Registered Agent will have to sign the Statement of Acceptance of Appointment, acknowledging their appointment as the initial Registered Agent.
The New Mexico Articles of Incorporation can be filed online or submitted by mail. The mailing address is:
New Mexico Secretary of State
325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
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Step 4: Create Corporate Bylaws
Bylaws are the general guiding principles and procedures for a business’s operations. For example, the bylaws may include the name of the corporation’s officers, the responsibilities of the board members, terms of office, procedures for removing or adding a new director or shareholder, policies for authorizing new shares, when shareholder and director meetings will be held, and more.
Step 5: Hold the Initial Board of Directors Meeting
During the first board meeting, the board of directors will, at minimum, elect the corporation’s officers (the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary). They will also typically review and approve corporate bylaws, choose a bank, issue shares of stock, and decide whether the Corporation will be taxed as a C corporation or S corporation.
It’s critical to remember that taking meeting minutes at all meetings is necessary to protect the shareholders from lawsuits and court actions. The minutes provide a written record of all decisions and actions taken during the meeting. Minutes aren’t filed with the state but should be stored along with other Corporate documents.
Step 6: Issue Shares of Stock
The corporation can exchange shares of stock in exchange for money or services. The number of shares of stock issued cannot be more than the number of authorized shares listed in the Articles of Incorporation.
Step 7: Obtain an EIN
The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also called a Federal Employer Identification Number, FEIN, or Tax ID Number) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number assigned to a business by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Like an individual’s social security number, the EIN identifies the Corporation for tax purposes. The EIN will be needed to hire employees, open a bank account, register for business licenses and permits, file tax returns, and more.
The EIN is free when registering through the IRS. The number is available immediately when applying through the IRS website; however, you can also register by phone, fax, or mailing IRS Form SS-4.
Step 8: Elect the Corporation’s Form of Federal Income Taxation
By default, a new corporation will be taxed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) like a C-Corporation. C-Corporations pay corporate taxes on their profits, and the owners pay personal income taxes on their dividends.
A Corporation can elect to be taxed as an S-Corporation. S-Corporations are taxed as “pass-through entities,” meaning the Corporation does not file corporate taxes. Instead, the profits (or losses) “pass through” to the shareholders, who then report this income on their individual taxes.
For most small businesses, the S-Corporation tax election is the most beneficial because it eliminates the double taxation of the C-Corporation. This tax election can be changed; however, it is highly recommended to talk with an accountant before making this decision.
Step 9: Open a Bank Account
Opening a bank account for your Corporation is important for liability protection as the bank account separates the business’s funds from the member’s personal funds.
Several documents will be needed to open a business bank account, such as:
- A banking resolution is a document that authorizes the members to open a business bank account on behalf of the LLC.
- Copies of the original Articles of Incorporation showing the creation of the Corporation in addition to the bylaws.
- Driver’s licenses of the members.
- Depending on the age of the Corporation, a New Mexico Certificate of Good Standing may be needed to prove the business entity is active and in good standing with the state.
Step 10: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits
Depending on what your business does and its location, various business licenses and permits will likely be needed before starting your business. Some common registrations include:
New Mexico Business Licenses – The state of New Mexico doesn’t have a general business license; however, many cities require a business license to operate.
Combined Reporting System Number – All businesses in the state must register for a New Mexico Combined Reporting System Number from the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. This number is commonly used to report the New Mexico gross receipts tax.
Professional Licensing – Some professions or occupations, such as barbers, handyman services, interior designers, and recyclers, require licensing in New Mexico. While this isn’t a business license, it is required to operate. The New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department (RLD) oversees many regulatory boards for licensed professionals.
Zoning – Before starting to operate a business (even if it’s home-based), be sure to check local zoning regulations before starting any business activity from a location.
Related: How To Register A Business In New Mexico
Step 11: File the Initial Corporate Report
New Mexico Corporations are required to file an Initial Corporate Report with the New Mexico Secretary of State within 30 days of incorporation.
Step 12: File Biennial Reports
Corporations are required to submit a New Mexico biennial report to the New Mexico Secretary of State by filing. The biennial report is due every two years by the 15th day of the third month following the business’s fiscal year. Many Corporations use December 31st as their fiscal year, and if so, have their Annual Report due March 15th.
New Mexico LLCs aren’t required to file an annual or biennial report.
