Incorporating a business is the US generally incurs costs, such as filing fees. But entrepreneurs can minimise or potentially offset these expenses by using available resources. Small business owners in the US spend an average of US$40,000 in their first full year of business, so it's important to reduce costs where possible.

Below is a practical guide on how to complete the incorporation process while minimising expenses.

What's in this article?

• What is required to incorporate a business?
  
• Types of corporate structures – and how to choose one
  
• What are the costs involved in incorporation?
  
• How to incorporate a business for a reduced cost
  

What is required to incorporate a business?

The specific requirements and fees for incorporating a business in the US vary depending on the location and the type of business entity that you choose. To incorporate a business in the US, you will generally need to complete the following steps:

• Create a business name: Ensure that the name is available and complies with any naming regulations.

• Select a location of incorporation: Determine where you want to incorporate your business in the US. This could be the business's home state or another state with favourable business laws.

• Choose a corporate structure: Decide whether you want to form a C corporation, S corporation, benefit corporation (B corp) or a limited liability company (LLC). Each has different legal and tax implications.

• Appoint a registered agent: A registered agent is an individual or business entity with a physical address in your place of incorporation, who will receive legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of your business.

• File the articles of incorporation: Prepare and file the necessary paperwork with the appropriate government agency. This typically includes information about your business name, purpose, registered agent and the number of authorised shares (if applicable).

• Write bylaws: These are the internal rules that govern your corporation's operations, including how meetings are held, how officers are elected and how decisions are made. LLCs are not required to have bylaws.

• Obtain an employer identification number: An EIN is a federal tax ID number that you'll need to open a business bank account, file taxes and recruit employees.

• Acquire any necessary licences and permits: Depending on your industry and location, you may need to obtain additional licences or permits to operate legally.

Types of corporate structures – and how to choose one

Your corporate structure affects multiple areas of your business, from daily operations to taxes and personal liability. Here are the primary types of corporate structures and advice on how to choose the right one based on your business needs.

Sole proprietorship

This is the simplest form of business entity. With a sole proprietorship, one person is responsible for all the company's profits and debts. These companies are easy to form and give owners complete managerial control, but they present some level of risk by making the owner personally liable for all of the business's financial obligations. This structure is best for small, low-risk businesses and those testing their business idea before establishing a more formal business.

Partnership

There are three types of partnerships: general partnerships (GPs), limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). These businesses are easy to establish and generally come with more available capital than sole proprietorships, as multiple owners are contributing to them. Partners are jointly responsible for the business and might be personally liable for business debts. This business structure is best for businesses where two or more individuals are involved, and for professional groups such as law or accounting firms.

• General partnership (GP): The company only has general partners, who share equal responsibility for management and liabilities.

• Limited partnership (LP): The company has both general and limited partners. Limited partners have minimal control over daily business decisions and liabilities.

• Limited liability partnership (LLP): The partners have limited personal liability. This structure is usually used for professionals such as lawyers and accountants.

Corporation

There are two main types of corporations: C corporations and S corporations. These businesses come with limited liability protection, which means that the shareholders' personal assets are not at risk for business liabilities. They're more expensive to establish than other structures and are subject to more regulations, as well as corporate tax rates. This business structure is best suited to larger companies with a vision to "go public", or to smaller businesses that want liability protection but prefer to be taxed on a personal level (S corp).

• C corporation: An independent legal entity owned by shareholders. The corporation itself is legally liable for the actions and debts incurred by the business, not the shareholders.

• S corporation: Similar to a C corporation but with the benefit of passing corporate income, losses, deductions and credits through to shareholders for federal tax purposes.

Limited liability company (LLC)

This is a hybrid business structure that allows owners, partners or shareholders to limit personal liability while enjoying the tax and flexibility benefits of a partnership. This structure provides limited liability without the double taxation of C corporations, but it is more complicated to form than a sole proprietorship or partnership. This structure is best suited to medium-risk businesses that want flexibility and fewer formalities than a corporation.

Choosing the right structure

Consider the following factors when determining which business structure is best for your needs:

• Liability: If your business involves major financial risks, consider structures with liability protection, such as LLCs or corporations.

• Tax implications: Sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corps enjoy pass-through taxation. C corps are subject to double taxation.

• Future goals: If you plan to raise substantial outside capital or eventually go public, a corporation will probably be the best option.

• Cost and administrative burden: More complex structures, such as corporations and LLCs require more paperwork and ongoing fees. If cost is a concern, simpler entities, such as sole proprietorships or partnerships, might be preferable.

What are the costs to incorporate?

At a minimum, the cost to incorporate a business includes filing fees and registered agent fees. The exact fees vary depending on the following factors:

• Location of incorporation: Filing fees and requirements differ from state to state in the US.

• Type of business entity: The cost to form a C corp may differ from that of an S corp or LLC. Each type of entity has different filing fees and ongoing costs.

• Additional services: If you choose to use a lawyer or an online legal service to assist with the incorporation process, their fees will add to the overall cost.

• Optional costs: You may incur additional costs by adding on certain services for incorporation. For example, one optional cost associated with incorporation includes reserving a business name.

How to incorporate a business for a reduced cost

While it's not possible to incorporate a business for free, you can reduce costs by following these steps:

• Do it yourself (DIY): Avoid legal fees by handling the incorporation process yourself. Many local governments provide online resources and forms to guide you through the process. For example, you can find instructions and the necessary documents on the relevant state's Secretary of State website.

• Act as your own registered agent: Instead of paying for a registered agent service, you can designate yourself (or another member of your company) as the registered agent. This person will be responsible for receiving legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of the business. They must also be available during normal working hours and have a physical address in the same place as where you're incorporated.

• Use free resources and free trials: Several online platforms have free or low-cost resources for incorporating a business, and some even provide templates for articles of incorporation and other necessary documents. Some online legal services also have free trials for incorporation services, although you should consult automatic renewal and cancellation policies carefully.

• Take advantage of free LLC formation offers: Certain companies might offer free LLC formation services, but they often come with conditions or upsells. Read the fine print carefully before opting for such services.

Even if you do it yourself and act as your own registered agent, you'll still need to pay the relevant filing fee, which varies. You should also note that there are ongoing costs associated with maintaining a business (e.g. franchise taxes and annual reports). When considering whether to lower the cost of incorporation, weigh up the cost savings against the time and effort required to complete the process yourself – and the potential risks of making errors.

Angel investors vs. other types of investors

Before pursuing funding from angel investors, familiarise yourself with other types of startup investors. Here's an overview of investment options:

• Venture capitalists: Venture capitalists (VCs) are firms or individuals that invest in startups showing strong potential for growth, usually in exchange for equity. Unlike angel investors, they typically invest during the later stages of a startup's development, after the business has shown some market traction. VCs invest larger sums of money than angel investors and are usually more involved in the direction of the company. They seek substantial returns and typically have a more aggressive view toward scaling the business and achieving an exit within a specific timeframe.

• Seed funds: Seed funds are specialised VC funds that focus on early-stage investments, often before angel investment and larger VC rounds. They invest in startups that have moved past the conceptual stage and have a minimum viable product (MVP) or some initial traction.

• Incubators and accelerators: These programs support early-stage companies through education, mentorship and financing. Incubators focus most often on the initial development phase, helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into a viable business. Accelerators, on the other hand, look to scale up the growth of existing companies over a short period of time.

• Corporate investors: Some corporations invest in startups to access innovative technologies, enter new markets, or nurture strategic partnerships. These investors can offer ample resources, but they might seek more than just financial returns, such as an ownership stake in the technology or control over the company's direction.

• Crowdfunding: This involves raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically through online platforms. Crowdfunding can be a good option for startups that want to validate their product with a broad audience, interact with potential customers and raise funds without giving up equity or incurring debt.

• Government grants and subsidies: In some sectors – particularly those involving scientific research, clean technology, or social impact – government grants and subsidies can provide funding without diluting equity.

• Peer-to-peer lending and debt financing: Debt financing includes loans from financial institutions or peer-to-peer lending platforms. This type of financing is typically more challenging for early-stage startups to secure and it obligates a startup to repay the loan, with interest, but it doesn't dilute ownership.

• Family offices: High net-worth families often have private wealth management advisory firms, known as family offices, that directly invest in startups. These investors can provide substantial funding and might be interested in longer-term investments compared to traditional VCs.

• Angel groups and syndicates: Unlike individual angel investors, angel groups or syndicates pool resources to invest in startups. These groups can provide larger sums of capital and combine the expertise and networks of multiple investors.

Each type of investor offers different advantages, expectations and levels of involvement. Startups should carefully consider their stage of development, industry, funding needs and the kind of strategic relationships they want to grow before deciding which type of investor to work with.