{"id":4880,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/state-guide-corporation-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T00:02:11","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T05:02:11","slug":"state-guide-corporation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/state-guide-corporation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"State Guide: Corporation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State Guide: Corporation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Small business owners who want to start a new business must follow special rules called state corporation laws. These laws help protect people who own businesses and those who buy things from them. There are different types of businesses, like sole proprietorships and partnerships. There are also limited liability companies (LLCs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and corporations. Laws governing these different business structures are not the same, especially in areas such as personal liability for business debts and the business’s tax obligations.<\/p>\r\n

This article will discuss corporations<\/a> and the state laws pertaining to these business entities.<\/p>\r\n

Corporations Generally<\/h2>\r\n

A corporation is like a person in the eyes of the law. This legal entity can own things, owe money, and do business. The most important aspect of corporations is that they offer limited liability protection to the owners of the corporation. This means that if the business gets into trouble, the business owners don’t use their money or personal assets to fix it. But it’s not so simple. Corporations must follow several rules to incorporate<\/a> and continue existing. For example, they must pay business taxes and send tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service<\/a> (IRS) for federal taxes.<\/p>\r\n

Requirements for Business Corporations<\/h2>\r\n

To start a corporation, you must first do a few things by law. First, choose a unique business name<\/a>, meaning that no one else has it. Then, tell the secretary of state (or a similar state agency) about your business by filing the appropriate paperwork, like the articles of incorporation<\/a>. You will also need to pay filing fees, depending on your jurisdiction.<\/p>\r\n

After your corporation<\/a> is formally incorporated, you will generally need to get a special ID number from the IRS. This number is called an employer identification number<\/a> (EIN). This number is like a social security number for the corporation. You can use it to open a business bank account and file taxes.<\/p>\r\n

Corporations must also keep good records of their business activities and money. They must follow both state and federal law on record keeping. Sometimes, they may also need business licenses<\/a> from the state or local government. Finally, your state might require an annual report or other ongoing requirements. This is why it’s so important to know your state’s rules before diving into business.<\/p>\r\n

State Corporation Laws<\/p>\r\n

Select a state from the following chart to view its corporations code. See FindLaw’s Incorporation and Legal Structures<\/a> section for additional articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alabama<\/th>\r\nTitle 10A<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Partnerships, and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Alaska<\/th>\r\nTitle 10<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Arizona<\/th>\r\nTitle 10<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Arkansas<\/th>\r\nTitle 4, Subtitle 3<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
California<\/th>\r\nCalifornia Corporations Code<\/a><\/td>\r\nCalifornia Corporations Code<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Colorado<\/th>\r\nTitle 7<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Connecticut<\/th>\r\nTitle 33<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Delaware<\/th>\r\nTitle 8<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
District of Columbia<\/th>\r\nTitle 29<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Florida<\/th>\r\nTitle 36<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Organizations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Georgia<\/th>\r\nTitle 14<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Corporation Code<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Hawaii<\/th>\r\nTitle 23<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Partnerships<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Idaho<\/th>\r\nTitle 30<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Illinois<\/th>\r\nChapter 805<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Organizations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Indiana<\/th>\r\nTitle 23<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness and Other Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Iowa<\/th>\r\nTitle 12<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Entities<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Kansas<\/th>\r\nChapter 17<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Kentucky<\/th>\r\nTitle 23<\/a><\/td>\r\nPrivate Corporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Louisiana<\/th>\r\nTitle 12<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Maine<\/th>\r\nTitle 13<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Maryland<\/th>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Massachusetts<\/th>\r\nTitle 22<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Michigan<\/th>\r\nChapter 450<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Minnesota<\/th>\r\nChapter 300<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Mississippi<\/th>\r\nTitle 79<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Associations, and Partnerships<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Missouri<\/th>\r\nTitle 23<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Associations and Partnerships<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Montana<\/th>\r\nTitle 35<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Partnerships, and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Nebraska<\/th>\r\nChapter 21<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Corporation Act<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Nevada<\/th>\r\nTitle 7<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Associations; Securities; Commodities<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
New Hampshire<\/th>\r\nTitle 27<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Associations, and Proprietors of Common Lands<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
New Jersey<\/th>\r\nTitle 14a<\/a><\/td>\r\nNew Jersey Business Corporation Act<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
New Mexico<\/th>\r\nChapter 53<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
New York<\/th>\r\nBusiness Corporation Law<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Corporation Code<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
North Carolina<\/th>\r\nChapter 55<\/a><\/td>\r\nNorth Carolina Business Corporation Act<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
North Dakota<\/th>\r\nTitle 10<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Ohio<\/th>\r\nTitle 17<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations – Partnerships<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Oklahoma<\/th>\r\nTitle 18<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Oregon<\/th>\r\nTitle 7<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Partnerships<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Pennsylvania<\/th>\r\nTitle 15<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Business Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Rhode Island<\/th>\r\nTitle 7<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Associations, and Partnerships<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
South Carolina<\/th>\r\nTitle 33<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Partnerships, and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
South Dakota<\/th>\r\nTitle 47<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Tennessee<\/th>\r\nTitle 48<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Texas<\/th>\r\nBusiness Organization Code<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Organization Code<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Utah<\/th>\r\nTitle 16<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Vermont<\/th>\r\nTitle 11<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations, Partnerships, and Associations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Virginia<\/th>\r\nTitle 13.1<\/a><\/td>\r\nCorporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Washington<\/th>\r\nTitle 23B<\/a><\/td>\r\nWashington Business Corporation Act<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
West Virginia<\/th>\r\nChapter 31D<\/a><\/td>\r\nWest Virginia Business Corporation Act<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Wisconsin<\/th>\r\nChapter 180<\/a><\/td>\r\nBusiness Corporations<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Wyoming<\/th>\r\nTitle 17<\/a><\/td>\r\nWyoming Business Corporation Act<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Navigating Support: Resources for Corporations<\/h2>\r\n

For corporations, especially startups and nonprofits, understanding business law and tapping into available resources is key to your success. The federal government offers a treasure trove of help through federal agencies like the Small Business Administration<\/a> (SBA). The SBA is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs. The SBA and Small Business Development Centers<\/a> (SBDCs) are fantastic providers of assistance programs.<\/p>\r\n

These programs cater to a variety of business needs, from crafting a business plan to securing funding. They play a pivotal role in economic development by ensuring small businesses have the support they need to thrive. These agencies also often hold workshops and training sessions, offer one-on-one counseling, and provide access to online resources and tools.<\/p>\r\n

Additional Resources<\/h2>\r\n