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 a Limited Liability Company when a significant amount of funding is being raised from investors. However, due to the cost and complexity of the Corporation, most small businesses are better off forming an LLC.
Related: How To Form An LLC In Pennsylvania
The following steps are to create a domestic Corporation, which is the most common type for businesses. The other types of Corporations in Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania Business Checklist
Steps to Forming a Corporation in Pennsylvania
Step 1: Choose a Name
The first step in forming a Corporation in Pennsylvania is selecting a name.
The name of the corporation has to be different from other entity names in the state of Pennsylvania. Check corporation name availability in Pennsylvania.
The name of the Corporation must include one of the following designators at the end of the business name:
- Corporation
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Company
- Or an abbreviation of one of those words – Corp., Inc., Ltd., or Co.
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 Name Reservation Form (Form 15-208) with the Pennsylvania Department 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania Registered Agent or Registered Office 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 be a Pennsylvania resident or a commercial registered agent service.
You can act as the Corporation’s Registered Agent in Pennsylvania, and you are not required to pay for a registered agent. The requirements to be a Registered Agent include someone generally present at a registered address in the state during normal business hours. A PO Box is not allowed.
Related: Do I Need To Hire A Registered Agent In Pennsylvania?
Step 3: File the Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation
Next, you can start filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State. The Articles of Incorporation can be filed on the Department of State’s Keystone Login website or Form 15-1306.
The information requested includes:
- The name of the Corporation must contain the words “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Limited,” “Company,” or an abbreviation.
- Registered Agent’s name or physical address of the Registered Office.
- Information regarding whether the Corporation has shares and, if so, the number and shares authorized.
- The name, address, and signature of the incorporator(s). These can be the corporation’s owners or someone helping with the formation of the entity.
- Effective date. If you want to finalize the corporation’s paperwork but not have it start until 90 days in the future, enter the future date. Otherwise, leave it blank.
The Pennsylvania Articles of Incorporation can be filed online or submitted by mail. The mailing address is:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722
Along with the Articles of Incorporation, a docketing statement should be filed with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. The docketing statement is essentially the cover page and includes additional information, such as the entity’s name, a description of business activities, and the individual responsible for tax reports.
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Step 4: Publication Requirements
A publication with either the intent to file or the actual filing of Articles of Incorporation must be made in two newspapers of general circulation, with one preferably in a legal journal or legal newspaper. Proof of the advertisement is not required to be sent to the state but should be filed with the corporation’s minutes.
The advertisements must contain the proposed corporation’s name and a statement that the corporation is to be or has been incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988.
Step 5: 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 6: Hold the Initial Board of Directors Meeting
During the first organizational 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 7: 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 8: 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). Similar to a social security number for an individual, 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 9: 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 10: 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 Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing may be needed to prove the business entity is active and in good standing with the state.
Step 11: 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:
Business Licenses: The state of Pennsylvania doesn’t have a general business license; however, many cities require one to operate.
Sales Tax License: Businesses selling products and certain services will register for a Pennsylvania Sales Tax License with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Professional Licensing: Some services, such as architects, barbers, and vehicle dealers, require licensing in Pennsylvania. While this isn’t a business license, it is required in order to operate.
Zoning: Before starting to operate a business (even if it’s home-based), be sure to check local zoning regulations before starting to operate out of a location.
Related: How To Register A Business In Pennsylvania
Step 12: File Decennial Reports
Corporations are required to submit a Pennsylvania annual report to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
