Articles of Incorporation Archives

What Needs to be Included on Nonprofit Formation Documents

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

When forming your nonprofit corporation online at MaxFilings, certain information must be included in order for the process to go smoothly. Online incorporation services like MaxFilings can help you properly complete what’s required

Just like for-profit corporations, articles of incorporation or certificate of incorporation are the documents required to form a nonprofit. Each state’s requirements vary, but the most common are:

1.    Nonprofit Name – The desired name of the nonprofit must be included. Some states require a corporate identifier, such as “Corporation”, “Company”, or “Incorporated”.
2.    Business Purpose – Explanation of what the nonprofit is being formed to do or provide. This is also very important for ensuring the nonprofit is properly classified as such with the IRS.
3.    Registered Agent – Virtually all states require them to have a registered agent, or a designee to receive official legal and tax correspondence from the state.
4.    Incorporator – Name of the person filing the incorporation documents with the state.
5.    Directors – Most states require the names and addresses of the initial board of directors to be included in business filing documents.

The above list is a general outline. Consult with a professional or with the state you intend to incorporate in to be sure you include all required information.

Online incorporation service MaxFilings can help you easily form your nonprofit in any state or the District of Columbia.

Business Incorporation Terms – A Handy Glossary

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Ever browse through online incorporation articles and blogs and get confused by all of the terms they use? Maintaining focus on your business is difficult enough so having to decipher what a particular word means can be a major headache.

This is one of the main reasons why MaxFilings maintains a handy list of business incorporation terms. In addition to providing online incorporation services across the nation, the business terms list provides concise explanation of many common phrases such as apostille, liquidity, quorum, and so on.

The glossary of business terms is a small but very helpful part of the Knowledge Center at MaxFilings, an extensive resource for small business incorporation.

So the next time you want to briefly know what “pass-through taxation” means, use the glossary of business terms as your first source!

What are Articles of Incorporation?

Sunday, May 4th, 2008

If you’re incorporating your business, chances are you’ve heard you will need "articles of incorporation". Though it may sound like a complicated set of documents, it is actually the initial document that sets forth the information about a corporation that is required by the laws of the state in which you are forming your corporation.

Articles of incorporation are sometimes also called the certificate of incorporation or charter – in fact, these 3 terms are often used interchangeably. Bear in mind that some of that information will be included in the public record.

So, if you are forming a corporation in California for example, you’ll need to submit the information required for California articles of incorporation. Here you can learn more about the specifics for incorporating in California , including articles of incorporation.

Basic Comparison of Business Entities

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Deciding on the entity type for your newly formed business is a time-consuming task. Researching the pros and cons of each business entity can involve hours of Internet searches and consulting with attorneys and accountants. To find a simple comparison of common business entities available, check out this simple chart found at the online incorporation Knowledge Center at MaxFilings.

The entity comparison chart provides side-by-side comparisons of sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, C corporations, S Corporations, and Limited Liability Companies. Each of these entities is compared and contrasted according to different situations, such as transfer of ownership, management decisions, and the raising of capital. In addition, the Knowledge Center at MaxFilings provides more detailed information on each type of business entity to aid in your decision.

The business entity comparison chart is only an informational resource. You should always consult with a professional before making any final decisions. Once an entity type has been decided, incorporate your business online at your convenience at MaxFilings online incorporation service.

Common Terms Used in Incorporation

Sunday, December 9th, 2007

Articles of Incorporation

Also known as “Charter” or “Certificate of Incorporation” in some states. The Article of Incorporation is the legal document that is filed with The Secretary of State (state agency) to start the corporation.

Shareholder

Person who owns shares of a company’s stock. In small corporations, shareholders are officers and directors of the corporations.

Board of Directors

The board of directors oversees major corporate decisions and elects the officers.

Officers

Elected by the board of directors. Officers include president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Registered Agent

Also known as “resident agent” in some states; person or incorporation company that is designated by the corporation to receive tax and legal documents on behalf of the corporation. Failure to maintain a Registered Agent in the jurisdiction where the corporation is registered may result in the forfeiture of the corporate status.

Bylaws

Rules and regulations that govern the structure and operation of the corporation.