Incorporating a Business Online
Online Services For Incorporating Your Business Compared
Every business has a business structure, regardless of whether you take actions to form one or not. With no action on your part, you are a sole proprietor, which is far from the most ideal business structure to use. Incorporating a business gives you many advantages over using no formal business structure.
Advantages of Incorporating a Business
The number one advantage to incorporating your business is that as a corporate owner, or shareholder, you are not personally liable legally or financially for corporate debt. This means that your personal assets are safe from corporate creditors and lawsuits.
There are also tax advantages to incorporating a small business that you do not have as a sole proprietor. You are able to deduct many expenses that you incur during the operations of your company. (Always seek the advice of an accountant when it comes to corporate tax matters.)
Another advantage of incorporating a company is the credibility you get from potential customers and vendors. Also, by incorporating yourself, you make it much easier to get small business loans, or you can even raise capital through the sale of stock.
Incorporating Your Business Online
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to incorporate is to use online incorporating services. Such services will complete and file all of the necessary paperwork for you, ensuring all documents are prepared and filed as your state requires, eliminating the chance of making mistakes that might occur if you were to file the paperwork yourself.
Always consult a lawyer if you have specific issues about incorporating a business as online incorporation services are not able to give out legal advice. Keep in mind while you can have a lawyer incorporate your business for you, they most likely will be substantially more expensive than using an online service.
With packages starting at just $99, plus the required state filing fees, incorporating a business online is very affordable. See the below comparison tables to see what the leading services offer in their various packages. LegalZoom and BizFilings tend to offer more comprehensive packages with LegalZoom giving you fully customized corporate documents.
Incorporating a business is one of the smartest moves you can make as an entrepreneur. Incorporating your business online just makes sense, saving you time and, most importantly, money!
Basic Incorporating a Business Package Comparison
(See individual incorporating a business service websites for additional package information.)| Basic Incorporating Your Business Packages Include: |  Economy |
 Basic |
 Economy |
| Price (+State Fees) | $99 |
$129 | $99 |
| Preliminary Corporation Name Check with State |  |
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| Review of Formation Documents | |
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| Preparation & Filing of Articles of Incorporation | |
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| Customized Corporate Bylaws | |
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| Sample (Non-Customized) Bylaws & Other Corporate Documents | N/A | |
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| Corporate Kit & Company Seal | |
$99 | $99 |
| 6 Months of Registered Agent Service | $149/Year | |
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| Expedited Processing (State Fees May Apply) | |
$60 | $60 |
| Expedited Shipping | |
$20 | $18 |
| Federal Tax ID (EIN) Application Preparation | $30 | |
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| Prepare Application & Obtain Federal Tax ID (EIN) | $79 | $70 | $75 |
| Prepare S Corporation Election Form | $45 | |
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| Obtain S Corporation Status from IRS | $80 | $45 | |
| Business License Application Package | |
$99 | $99 |
| Overall Rating |  |
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Middle Incorporating a Business Package Comparison
(See individual incorporating a business service websites for additional package information.)| Middle Incorporating Your Business Packages Include: | Standard |
Standard |
Basic |
| Price (+State Fees) | $239 | $250 | $279 |
| Preliminary Corporation Name Check with State | |
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| Review of Formation Documents | |
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| Preparation & Filing of Articles of Incorporation | |
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| Customized Corporate Bylaws | |
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| Sample (Non-Customized) Bylaws & Other Corporate Documents | N/A | |
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| Corporate Kit & Company Seal | |
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| 20 Customized Stock Certificates | |
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| FREE Peachtree Accounting Software Download | |
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| 6 Months of Registered Agent Service | $149/Year | |
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| Expedited Processing (State Fees May Apply) | |
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$60 |
| Expedited Shipping | |
$20 | |
| Federal Tax ID (EIN) Application Preparation | $30 | |
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| Prepare Application & Obtain Federal Tax ID (EIN) | $79 | $70 | $75 |
| Prepare S Corporation Election Form | $45 | |
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| Obtain S Corporation Status from IRS | $80 | $45 | |
| Business License Application Package | |
$99 | $99 |
| Overall Rating | |
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Top Incorporating a Business Package Comparison
(See individual incorporating a business service websites for additional package information.)| Top Incorporating Your Business Packages Include: | Express Gold |
Complete |
Complete |
| Price (+State Fees) | $369 | $380 | $399 |
| Preliminary Corporation Name Check with State | |
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| Review of Formation Documents | |
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| Preparation & Filing of Articles of Incorporation | |
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| Customized Corporate Bylaws | |
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| Sample (Non-Customized) Bylaws & Other Corporate Documents | N/A | |
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| Corporate Kit & Company Seal | |
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| 20 Customized Stock Certificates | |
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| FREE Peachtree Accounting Software Download | |
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| 6 Months of Registered Agent Service | $149/Year | |
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| Expedited Processing (State Fees May Apply) | |
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| Expedited Shipping | |
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| Federal Tax ID (EIN) Application Preparation | |
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| Prepare Application & Obtain Federal Tax ID (EIN) | $49 | |
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| Prepare S Corporation Election Form | |
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| Obtain S Corporation Status from IRS | $35 | |
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| Business License Application Package | |
$99 | $99 |
| Overall Rating | |
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