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 Maine

Corporate Name Requirements

* The name cannot use any name the same as or deceptively similar to the name of any domestic corporation or qualified foreign corporation without authorization. The name cannot use a reserved name. The name shall not contain any word or phrase which indicates it is organized for any purpose not permitted by the Act.

Articles of Incorporation Requirements

Director Information

  • Minimum Number – Three or more. If only one or two shareholders, the number of directors can be less than three but not less than the number of shareholders.
  • Residence Requirements. – No provision.
  • Age Requirements – None.
  • Directors are 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 shares may cause an increase in the initial filing fee.

Yearly Requirements

Annual Statements

  • File annually, on a staggered basis as determined by Secretary of State, for preceding 12-month period a $60 fee must accompany report.

Income Tax Rate

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, the Maine corporate tax rates are as follows:

If adjusted federal taxable income is:

Greater than But not over The gross tax is:
$0 $350,000 3.5% of adjusted federal taxable income
$350,000 $1,050,000 $12,250 plus 7.93% of the excess over $350,000
$1,050,000 $3,500,000 $67,760 plus 8.33% of the excess over $1,050,000
$3,500,000 or more $271,845 plus 8.93% of the excess over $3,500,000

For more information on taxes, visit Maine Revenue Services

 

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