Form

What will be the form of your business? How will you operate? As a DBA (doing business as) or more formally as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company?

The form your business takes will determine many things, like how much taxes you pay, when you pay your taxes, whether you can raise capital, who can invest in your company and what your legal duties are as a member of this entity.

So you want to form a corporation? check out what the Department of State's website says about that:

Forming a Business Corporation in New York State
New York recognizes many business forms including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and other less familiar forms. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For any particular venture, personal and business circumstances will dictate the business form of choice. The Department of State cannot offer advice about the choice of business form and strongly recommends consulting with legal and financial advisors before making the decision. Forming a corporation should only be done after careful analysis. This brochure has been developed to answer your questions regarding formation of a business corporation and to assist in the filing of a certificate of incorporation.

What is a Corporation?
A corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from the individual(s) who compose the business. It has rights and abilities similar to those of a natural person. Principal features are perpetual duration, limited liability and easy transferability of interests.

How Do I Form a Corporation?
One or more persons, called "incorporators" may form a corporation. Incorporators are natural persons who are 18 or older. The incorporator(s) signs the Certificate of Incorporation. The completed Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Department of State pursuant to Section 402 of the Business Corporation Law. Please see Section 102(a)(4) of the Business Corporation Law for the definition of a corporation.

What is a Professional Service Corporation?
One or more professionals may form, or cause to be formed, a professional service corporation (P.C.) for pecuniary profit for the purpose of rendering the professional service or services that the professionals are authorized to practice. A P.C. is formed by filing a Certificate of Incorporation pursuant to Section 1503 of the Business Corporation Law. "Profession," as defined in Section 1501(b) of the Business Corporation Law, includes the occupations regulated by Title VIII of the Education Law plus any practice as an attorney and counselor-at-law, or as a licensed physician.

Are There Any Special Responsibilities Associated With Forming a Corporation?
The existence of the corporation begins upon the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State. After the corporate existence has begun, an organization meeting of the incorporator or incorporators must be held for the purpose of adopting by-laws, electing directors and transacting any other business. (See Section 404 of the Business Corporation Law.)

The initial by-laws of a corporation are adopted by its incorporator or incorporators at the organization meeting. (See Section 601 of the Business Corporation Law.)

The corporation is required to keep correct and complete books and records of account and must keep minutes of the proceedings of its shareholders, board of directors and executive committee, if any. The corporation must also keep a record containing the names and addresses of all shareholders, the number and class of shares held by each and the dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof. (See Section 624 of the Business Corporation Law.)

In addition, a meeting of shareholders must be held annually for the election of directors and the transaction of other business on a date fixed by or under the by-laws. (See Section 602 of the Business Corporation Law.)

Please note by-laws and corporate books and records are not filed with the Department of State or any other state agency. These are internal documents maintained by the corporation. The Department of State cannot provide legal advice regarding the preparation of these documents.

Do I Need a Lawyer?
A Certificate of Incorporation has legal effect and enforceable rights and responsibilities. The Department of State recommends that a lawyer guide the preparation of these and other legal documents. However, there is no requirement that a lawyer prepare the documents when forming a corporation.

When I File a Certificate of Incorporation, What Will I Receive From the Department of State?

The Department of State issues an official filing receipt to the filer of the Certificate of Incorporation. The filing receipt reflects the date of filing, the name of the corporation, an extract of information provided in the Certificate of Incorporation and an accounting of fees paid. Filers should verify that this information is correct.

The filing receipt is your proof of filing. The Department of State does not issue duplicate filing receipts to replace those lost or destroyed.

Where Do I Get a Seal and Corporate Kit?
Corporate kits may be purchased from a legal stationery store. A corporate kit usually contains a corporate seal, blank stock certificates and forms for the adoption of by-laws and recording the minutes of meetings. Rather than composing their own forms, some may find it easier to use the preprinted forms provided in a corporate kit. Please note that New York State law does not require a corporation to have a seal.

How is a Corporation Taxed?
The New York State Tax Law requires a corporation to file franchise tax reports and pay franchise taxes annually even if the corporation does not conduct business or loses money. Franchise tax requirements begin the date the corporate existence begins. Tax responsibilities continue until the corporation is legally dissolved by the Secretary of State.

The corporation will need a taxpayer identification number, obtainable from the federal Internal Revenue Service (http://www.irs.gov/). The IRS can answer questions about paying or withholding federal income tax, social security taxes and other federal taxes.

Questions concerning New York State taxes should be directed to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (http://www.tax.state.ny.us/), Taxpayer Assistance Bureau, W.A. Harriman Campus, Albany, NY 12227. You may contact The Business Tax Information Center at the following toll free numbers: from the continental United States at 1-800-972-1233 or from within New York State at 1-800 CALL TAX (1-800-225-5829).

Does a Corporation Need Licenses and Permits?
Some business activities require licenses or permits from state or local governments, or both. For assistance in identifying whether your business requires any New York State licenses or permits, contact the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform (http://www.gorr.state.ny.us/gorr/), P.O. Box 2017, Albany, New York 12220-0107. You may call the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform at (518) 474-8275 or (800) 342-3464.

Contact the county clerk and the clerk of the city, town or village in which the business will operate with questions regarding local licenses or permits.
Other agencies with useful information include the New York State Department of Labor (http://www.labor.state.ny.us/) and the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (http://www.wcb.state.ny.us/).

Instructions for Completing the Certificate of Incorporation
A Certificate of Incorporation form has been developed to meet the basic requirements of the Business Corporation Law. The form does not include any optional provisions permitted by law. A Certificate of Incorporation may include other provisions consistent with law. You are not required to use this form. You may draft your own form or use forms available from legal stationery stores.

The Department of State must make an official record of the completed Certificate of Incorporation presented for filing. The Department will not accept papers incompatible with its recording technology. All entries and signatures should be typewritten or legibly printed in black ink on white paper. Avoid dark paper, small or light type, outline or condensed fonts, colored inks, etc.

Paragraph First - Corporation Name
Enter the name of the corporation on the line in the certificate’s title. Also enter the name of the corporation in Paragraph First and in the title of the certificate on the last page of the form. The name of the corporation must be exactly the same in all three places, including spacing and punctuation.

Choosing the Name of the Corporation
First, Section 301(a)(1) of the Business Corporation Law requires that the name of the corporation contain one of the following words: Incorporated, Corporation or Limited, or one of the following abbreviations: Inc., Corp. or Ltd.
Second, the name of the corporation must be distinguishable from the names of other corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships already on file with the Department of State.

Third, Section 301 of the Business Corporation Law prohibits or restricts the use of certain words and phrases in the name of the corporation. Generally, the name of a corporation may not include a word or phrase restricted by another statute unless the conditions of the restriction have been complied with. In addition, certain words and phrases in the name of a corporation require consent or approval from another agency prior to filing the Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State.

Prior to submitting the Certificate of Incorporation for filing, the proposed name of the corporation can be searched for availability by writing to the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. The written inquiry should state that you wish to determine the availability of a corporate name (or names) and list the name (or names) to be searched. There is a $5 fee for each corporate name to be searched for availability, which must accompany the request. Searching the availability of a corporate name does not reserve the name.

Some filers may wish to reserve the corporate name prior to filing the Certificate of Incorporation. To reserve a corporate name, file an Application for Reservation of Name. A form for that purpose is part of this brochure. The fee for filing an Application for Reservation of Name is $20. The filing of an Application for Reservation of Name is optional. An Application for Reservation of Name holds the name for 60 days and may be extended twice for additional periods of 60 days. The fee to extend the reservation of name is also $20. The filing receipt issued by the Department of State for the Application for Reservation of Name must accompany the Certificate of Incorporation when presented to the Department of State for filing. The filing receipt issued by the Department of State for an Application for Reservation of Name must also accompany any request to extend the name reservation.

Paragraph Second - Purposes
The Certificate of Incorporation form developed by the Department of State contains an all-purpose clause which is sufficient for filing in most cases and nothing more needs to be added.

Certain corporate purposes, however, such as the establishment or maintenance of a hospital or facility providing health related services, and the establishment or operation of a substance abuse, substance dependence, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, chemical abuse or dependence program require the consent or approval of another state agency. In addition, a corporate purpose that promotes education in any way requires prior consent. A document indicating the consent or approval of the relevant state agency must be attached to the Certificate of Incorporation when the certificate is submitted to the Department of State for filing. Before issuing its consent or approval, the regulatory agency may require that specific purposes be stated in the Certificate of Incorporation.

The following is a partial list of agencies that must consent to, or approve, the filing of certain Certificates of Incorporation prior to filing with the Department of State. If you have any questions concerning any consent or approval that may be required, please contact the agency at the address or telephone number listed:
Purpose Requiring Consent or Approval Applicable Section of Law Agency Consent or Approval Required From

The establishment or operation of institutions for the care of destitute, delinquent, abandoned, neglected or dependent children. See Business Corporation Law Section 405-a. Office of Children and Family Services
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144
(518) 473-8351

The promotion of science, literature, art, history or other department of knowledge, or of education in any way, associations of teachers, students, graduates of educational institutions, and other associations whose approved purposes are, in whole or in part, of educational or cultural value deemed worthy of recognition and encouragement by the university. See Education Law Section 216. Department of Education
Office of Counsel
State Education Building, Room 148
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 473-8296

Note: The Department of Education requires a $20 fee to obtain consent.
Establishment or maintenance of a hospital or facility providing health related services. See Business Corporation Law Section 202(e). Public Health Council
Department of Health
Division of Legal Affairs
Corning Tower, Room 2482
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
(518) 473-3233

Establishment or operation of a substance abuse, substance dependence, alcohol abuse, alcoholism, chemical abuse or dependence program. See Business Corporation Law Section 406. Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
Bureau of Certification
1450 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203-3526
(518) 485-2251
Paragraph Third - County Location

Paragraph Third must indicate the county within New York State where the office of the corporation will be located. Enter only the name of a county in New York State. Do not include the street address. In New York City, the borough of Manhattan is New York County, the borough of Brooklyn is Kings County, and the borough of Staten Island is Richmond County. Bronx and Queens denote both the borough and the county.
Paragraph Fourth - Stock Structure

Every business corporation must designate in its certificate of incorporation the number of shares which the corporation shall have the authority to issue and must state whether the shares are with par value or without par value. Shares without par value may be issued or sold at any price. Shares with a stated par value cannot be issued or sold at a price less than the stated par value.

The form developed by the Department of State contains an authorized stock structure of 200 shares with no par value. Most corporations are formed with 200 shares no par value. Nothing more needs to be added unless you wish to have a different stock structure. If this is the case, delete the present statement and insert the desired number of shares and a statement of their par value or a statement that they are without par value.

There is a minimum tax of $10 on shares that the corporation is authorized to issue which must be paid at the time of formation of the corporation. The $10 tax authorizes the corporation to issue a maximum of 200 shares no par value or a par value of all authorized shares up to $20,000. Corporations wishing to be authorized to issue more than 200 shares no par value or par value shares totaling more than $20,000 will incur a tax of more than $10. The tax rate is 5 cents per share of no par value stock and 1/20 of one percent (.05%) of the par value of the shares that have a stated par value. (Please see Section 180 of the Tax Law.)
Paragraph Fifth - Designation for Service of Process

The corporation must designate the Secretary of State as its agent for service of process. Complete Paragraph Fifth by providing an address within the United States to which the Secretary of State may mail a copy of any process received. "Process" means the papers that acquire jurisdiction of the corporation in a legal action. To avoid a default judgment, the corporation should keep the address for service of process current by filing its Biennial Statement, or a Certificate of Change or Certificate of Amendment, as appropriate.

Signing the Certificate of Incorporation
The incorporator or incorporators, if there is more than one, must sign the Certificate of Incorporation. The incorporator(s) must type or print their name and address.
Filer

Provide the name and address of the filer of the Certificate of Incorporation. The Department of State issues the official filing receipt to the filer of the Certificate of Incorporation.

Filing Fee
The fee for filing the Certificate of Incorporation is $125 plus the applicable tax on shares required by Section 180 of the Tax Law. The minimum tax on shares is $10. The tax on 200 no par value shares is $10 for a total of $135. The fee may be paid by cash, check, money order, MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the "Department of State." Please do not send cash through the mail.

The Department of State’s Division of Corporations accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club for the payment of fees. Complete and sign the Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form and submit it to the Division of Corporations with your Certificate of Incorporation. The Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form and instructions are available from the Department of State’s website at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/corp/nfpfaq.htm#creditcrd or by calling (518) 473-2492.

Filing the Certificate of Incorporation
By mail - Send the completed Certificate of Incorporation with any consents and approvals you have obtained and the filing fee (or a Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form) to the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12231.

In person - Deliver the completed Certificate of Incorporation, with any consents and approvals you have obtained and the filing fee to the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231. The Division of Corporations is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
By fax - Fax the completed Certificate of Incorporation with any consents and approvals you have obtained and a Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form to the Division of Corporations at (518) 474-1418.

Expedited Filing
The Division of Corporations offers optional expedited processing of documents. For an additional, non-refundable fee, the Division of Corporations will ensure that a document is processed within the following time frames: (1) within 2 hours for an additional fee of $150; (2) the same day for an additional fee of $75; and (3) within 24 hours for an additional fee of $25. The additional, non-refundable fee for expedited processing must be paid by a separate check or money order or indicated in the appropriate space on the Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form http://www.dos.state.ny.us/corp/nfpfaq.htm#creditcrd. Processing of your document begins when the document is received by the appropriate unit of the Division of Corporations. The fee for expedited processing is charged to the filer regardless of whether or not the document is accepted for filing by the Department of State.
A written request for the expedited processing desired must be submitted with the Certificate of Incorporation and must indicate the level of expedited processing requested. Certificates of Incorporation submitted through the mail should be marked with the notation "Expedited Handling" on the envelope and in your cover letter. Certificates of Incorporation submitted via fax with the Credit Card/Debit Card Authorization Form must specifically indicate the level of expedited processing requested.

Certified Copies
A certified copy of the filed Certificate of Incorporation may be obtained from the Department of State. A certified copy may be obtained by submitting a written request along with the Certificate of Incorporation, or at any time after the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State. The fee for each certified copy is $10.

Filing Receipt
The Department of State issues an official filing receipt to the filer of the Certificate of Incorporation. The filing receipt is mailed two business days after the Certificate of Incorporation is filed by the Department of State.
You may check on the status of a filed Certificate of Incorporation by accessing our Corporation and Business Entity Database on the Department of State’s website at www.dos.state.ny.us. The Corporation and Business Entity Database is normally current through the previous business day.

Please note that the filing receipt and certified copy, if requested, are sent by first class mail. The filing receipt and certified copy, if requested, are mailed separately. We do not provide these documents by fax. You may request that your filing receipt be returned to you by overnight delivery service by: (1) completing a shipping label from your overnight delivery service provider and mailing it to the Department of State with your Certificate of Incorporation; or (2) including a written request to return your filing receipt by overnight delivery service and providing your account number with the overnight delivery service provider; or (3) including a written request to return your filing receipt by overnight delivery service and a request to charge your credit card with the shipper for these charges. A separate request may be made for overnight delivery service for certified copies.
Contacting the Division of Corporations

If you require technical advice or have any questions regarding the filing of your Certificate of Incorporation, please contact the Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. The telephone number of the Division of Corporations is (518) 473-2492. The Department of State’s website address is www.dos.state.ny.us. The email address is corporations@dos.state.ny.us.
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Corporate Fee Schedule NYS Department of State
Division of Corporations, State Records and UCC
Albany, NY 12231
(518) 473-2492
________________________________________
FILING UNDER THE BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW
(Organization tax on shares pursuant to Section 180 of the Tax Law, if applicable, not included)*
Incorporation (all corporations) $125*
Amendment or Restated 60*
Consolidation or Merger 60
Change §805-A(a) or §1309-A(b) 30
Change §805-A(b) or §1309-A(c) 5
Resignation for Receipt of Process 60
Dissolution 60
Reservation of Name or Extension or Cancellation of Reservation 20
Application for Authority (Foreign) 225
Application for Authority (Foreign Professional) 200
Surrender of Authority or Termination of Foreign Corporation 60
Resignation of Registered Agent 60
Biennial Statement/Biennial Statement Amendment 9
FILING UNDER THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW
Incorporation 75
Amendment or Restated 30
Consolidation or Merger 30
Change 20
Dissolution 30
Reservation of Name or Extension or Cancellation of Reservation 10
Application for Authority 135
Surrender of Authority or Termination of Foreign Corporation 30
Resignation of Registered Agent 30
Type 30
Annulment of Dissolution, Reinstatement and Report of Corporate Existence 30
EXPEDITED HANDLING
All filings except Biennial Statement – per document
For processing within 2 hours 150
For processing the same day 75
For processing within 24 hours 25
All certificates under seal or all copies – per entity requested
For processing within 2 hours 150
For processing the same day 75
For processing within 24 hours 25
SERVING PROCESS
Corporation, Joint Stock Association, or Business Trust 40
Motor Vehicles, Boats, or Aircraft 10
Certificate as to Service of Process 25
CERTIFICATES ISSUED, ETC.
Certificates as to Documents on File, Status of Corporation, Etc. 25
Affixing the Great Seal of the State 10
Certified Copy 10
Uncertified Photocopy of Filed Document 5
AVAILABILITY OF NAME
Fee for each name submitted 5
________________________________________
Revised, June 2003

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Limited Liability Company
Fee Schedule NYS Department of State
Division of Corporations, State Records and UCC
Albany, NY 12231
: (518) 473-2492
FILING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY CERTIFICATES
DOMESTIC
Articles of Organization $200
Reservation of Name 20
Certificate of Publication 50
Amendment to Articles of Organization 60
Certificate of Correction 60
Restated Articles of Organization 60
Certificate of Change §211-A(a) 30
Certificate of Change §211-A(b) 5
Biennial Statement 9
Resignation of Registered Agent 20
Judicial Dissolution 60
Articles of Dissolution 60
Certificate of Merger or Consolidation 60
Certificate of Conversion 200
Articles of Organization — Prof. Service 200
Resignation for Receipt of Process 10

FOREIGN
Application for Authority 250
Certificate of Publication 50
Amendment to Application for Authority 60
Certificate of Change §804-A(a) 30
Certificate of Change §804-A(b) 5
Surrender of Authority 60
Termination of Existence 60
Certificate of Merger or Consolidation 60
Application for Authority For. Prof. 200
Resignation for Receipt of Process 10
Biennial Statement 9
EXPEDITED HANDLING
All Filings Except Biennial Statement – Per Document
For Processing Within 2 Hours
150
For Processing the Same Day
75
For Processing Within 24 Hours
25
All Certificates Under Seal – Per Entity Requested
All Copies – Per Entity Requested
For Processing Within 2 Hours
150
For Processing the Same Day
75
For Processing Within 24 Hours
25
SERVING PROCESS
Limited Liability Company 40
Certificate as to Service of Process 25
CERTIFICATES ISSUED, ETC.
Certificates as to Documents on File, Status of Limited Liability Company 25
Affixing the Great Seal of the State 10
Certified Copy 10
Uncertified Photocopy of Filed Document 5
AVAILABILITY OF NAME
Fee for Each Name Submitted 5

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