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Delaware law requires all entities domiciled in Delaware to retain a Registered Agent with a street address in Delaware. The general duties of the Registered Agent are to accept and forward Annual Report Tax Notices and any other official documentation from the Secretary of State to the entity contact; and to accept and forward Service of Process.

You may need to register for authority, sometimes referred to as “qualify”, to do business as a foreign entity in the State(s) of operation. Please contact the Secretary of State/Commonwealth in that jurisdiction for more information.

A close or general corporation that has elected S-Corporation status with the IRS passes earnings and losses through the corporation and is reported on the owners’ personal income tax returns. This avoids the “double taxation” feature of general business corporations. The IRS places certain restrictions on corporations electing S-Corporation status. For more information, visit IRS S-Corporation information.

A business entity is an organization established by law and existing to engage in business activities, charitable work, or other allowable activities.

Click an Entity Type Below to Learn More

More of a visual person? Us too. Here's a handy chart for you.

• Limited Liability Company
• Corporation
  
• General Corporation
• Close Corporation
• "S" Corporation
• Non-Stock/Not for Profit Corporation
• Partnership

Almost 60% of Fortune 500 companies have made Delaware their business organizations' state of choice, and for good reason. Delaware's business laws, its Chancery Court with nationally recognized expertise and governmental services make Delaware a corporate haven. Delaware's business entity laws are among the most advanced and flexible in the United States. They are designed to provide maximum flexibility in the structuring of business entities and the allocation of rights and duties among owners and managers.

Liability Protection - personal financial liability of owners no greater than the shareholders' or members' investment; owners are insured from personal liability for negligent acts of the entities and its debts. 
Substantial Tax Advantages - deductible retirement contributions and investment tax credits. 
Separate Legal Identity - a corporation or LLC has a distinct identification completely apart from its owners, directors and officers. 
Ease of Transferability of Ownership - shares of stock in a corporation or interest in an LLC may be sold or distributed without impairing organization or operation. 
Uninterrupted Legal Existence - both corporations and LLC's have a perpetual life even upon death of primary owners or officers. 
Subchapter S Election or LLC Partnership Treatment - permits tax savings by flowing through deductions and losses to personal tax returns. 
Favorable Legislative Climate encourages laws supportive of business. 
Experienced State Administration permits efficient operation of state functions. 
Unequaled Corporate Judicial System provides skilled and prompt adjudication. 
No Sales Or Use Tax In Delaware. 
No Delaware Income Tax levied on corporations or LLC's not doing business in Delaware. 
Broad Corporate Powers permit conduct of several legal businesses by one corporation. 
No Delaware Tax To Beneficiaries or corporate stock held by nonresidents. 
All Meetings of members/stockholders and directors may be held outside of Delaware. 
Bank Accounts not required to be in Delaware. Capital requirements have no minimum. 
By-Laws may be made and altered by directors or by agreement of Members. 
Only One Director, one shareholder, or one officer required for a Delaware corporation; only one member required for an LLC. 
No Par Value required for stock.