Information on the 50 States and the District of columbia

Click to select any of the states in the list below and scroll down to see state requirements.

 

Incorporating in Alabama

Corporate Name Requirements

* The name of the corporation shall contain the word “corporation” or “incorporated” or an abbreviation. If the corporation is a banking corporation the words “bank,” “banking” or “bankers” may be used. The name may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for a purpose other than that permitted by the articles of incorporation. The name cannot be the same as or deceptively similar to the corporate name of a domestic corporation or a foreign qualified corporation.

Articles of Incorporation Requirements

Director Information

  • Minimum Number – One or more
  • Residence Requirements. – None
  • Age Requirements – Directors must be natural person of the age of at least nineteen of age
  • Directors are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation.

Officer Information

  • The officers are not required to be listed in the articles of incorporation.

Stock Information

  • An increase in the amount of shares of stock does not increase fees.

Yearly Requirements

Annual Statements

  • Each domestic corporation and each foreign corporation authorized to transact business in Alabama must file an annual report with the Secretary of State between January 1 and March 15 accompanied by a $10 fee to the Secretary of State. The first annual report of a domestic or foreign corporation must be filed between January 1 and March 15 of the year following the year in which a domestic corporation was incorporated or a foreign corporation was authorized to transact business.

Tax Rate

  • Annual franchise tax
  • Liability. Every domestic corporation and every foreign corporation doing business in Alabama must pay $10 per $1,000 of capital stock. Minimum tax is $50. New domestic corporations organized after June 30 pay half year’s tax.
  • Return and payment. To Department of Revenue, when organized; and thereafter by March 15 annually. Initial franchise taxes are due within 30 days after organization Penalties include not more than 25% of the tax due plus 1% a month for lateness.
  • Annual registration fee (corporation permit) payable to Department of Revenue on incorporating and annually thereafter on or before March 15. Application for permit is filed when payment is made. Fee is based on capital stock paid in as follows: $25,000 or less, $10; over $25,000 to and including $50,000, $20; over $50,000 to and including $100,000, $30; over $100,000 to and including 150,000, $50; over $150,000, $100. No statutory rule covering no par shares, but in practice same as shares having par value.
  • Income Tax Rate: 6.5% of net income

For more information on taxes, visit Alabama Dept of Revenue

 

C-Corporation

  • Shareholders have limited liability protection
  • May be listed and traded as a publiccorporation on the stock market or “over the counter”
  • Has a separate and independent tax status from its owners

S Corporation

  • Profits are not subject to “double taxation”
  • Corporate losses may be “passed through” to share holders
  • Shareholders are afforded the same protection as C Corp.

LLC formation

  • Contains characteristics of both corporation and partnership
  • Shareholders may take advantage of “Pass-Through” taxation
  • Limited liability for share holders

Not for profit corp

  • Eligible for tax-exempt status
  • Limited Liability protection
  • Qualify for public and private gains