Free incorporation cost calculator. Estimate total costs to incorporate including state filing ($100-$800), bylaws, stock certificates, and legal fees.
Incorporating a business creates a separate legal entity that provides liability protection and potential tax advantages. The cost of incorporation includes state filing fees ($100–$800+), attorney fees for articles and bylaws ($500–$3,000), registered agent services, and various administrative costs.
Corporations require more formalities than LLCs: bylaws, board resolutions, stock certificates, annual meetings, and minutes. These ongoing requirements add to the total cost of maintaining a corporation.
This calculator estimates the total cost to incorporate, including all first-year setup expenses.
Legal professionals, business owners, and individuals alike benefit from transparent incorporation cost calculations when evaluating obligations, settlements, or compliance requirements. Bookmark this page and return whenever circumstances change so you always have current figures at your fingertips.
From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, having reliable incorporation cost numbers at your disposal strengthens your position and streamlines decision-making. Adjust the inputs to reflect your unique circumstances and run the calculation as many times as needed to cover every plausible scenario.
From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, having reliable incorporation cost numbers at your disposal strengthens your position and streamlines decision-making. Adjust the inputs to reflect your unique circumstances and run the calculation as many times as needed to cover every plausible scenario.
Incorporation costs vary widely. Getting an accurate estimate helps you compare incorporation vs. LLC formation and budget for all necessary expenses. Instant recalculation as you change inputs lets you model multiple scenarios quickly, giving you the data foundation needed for well-informed legal and financial decisions. No registration or login is required, and you can return to this page anytime to re-run calculations as laws, rates, or circumstances evolve. No registration or login is required, and you can return to this page anytime to re-run calculations as laws, rates, or circumstances evolve.
Total Incorporation Cost = State Filing Fee + Attorney/Service Fee + Registered Agent + Corporate Kit + Bylaws + Stock Certificates + Initial Franchise Tax DIY: $200–$600 | Service-assisted: $400–$1,200 | Attorney: $1,500–$5,000
Result: $2,225
State filing $300 + attorney fees $1,500 + registered agent $150 + corporate kit $75 + initial franchise tax $200 = $2,225 total first-year incorporation cost.
1) Choose and verify business name availability. 2) Select a registered agent. 3) Draft and file Articles of Incorporation. 4) Issue stock certificates. 5) Draft corporate bylaws. 6) Hold organizational meeting and elect directors/officers. 7) File for EIN. 8) Open corporate bank account. 9) File S Corp election if desired.
Corporations suit businesses seeking investors, multiple owners, or public offering. LLCs suit small businesses wanting simpler compliance. Both provide liability protection. LLCs have more flexible tax treatment; corporations have more established legal precedent.
Delaware advantages: specialized business court (Court of Chancery), well-developed corporate law, no state income tax on out-of-state revenue. Disadvantages: must also register in your home state as a foreign corporation, Delaware franchise tax can be costly for large share counts.
A C Corp pays corporate income tax and shareholders pay tax on dividends (double taxation). An S Corp passes income through to shareholders who pay personal tax only (no double taxation). S Corp election has eligibility requirements: max 100 shareholders, one class of stock, US shareholders only.
Delaware incorporation is beneficial for companies seeking venture capital, multiple shareholders, or eventual public offering. For single-owner small businesses operating in one state, incorporating in your home state is usually simpler and cheaper.
Articles of incorporation (or certificate of incorporation) is the document filed with the state to create the corporation. It includes: corporation name, purpose, registered agent, authorized stock, and incorporator information.
Yes. Bylaws govern internal corporate operations: shareholder meetings, board structure, officer roles, voting procedures, and record-keeping. While not filed with the state, they are essential for corporate governance and may be required by banks and investors.
Annual costs include: franchise tax ($0–$800+), annual report filing ($25–$200), registered agent ($50–$300), corporate income tax preparation ($500–$2,000), and potentially payroll processing if officers are employees. Review your results periodically to ensure they still reflect current conditions.
Yes. Most states allow single-person corporations. You can serve as the sole shareholder, director, and officer. However, you must still maintain corporate formalities (meetings, minutes, separate finances) to preserve liability protection.