Mississippi’s incorporation system is built to make the process as easy as possible. The secretary of state’s online portal, Y’all Business, handles every step, from name search to certificate issuance, without paper forms or in-person filings. Applications typically process within 24 hours, and fees are among the lowest in the region.

The Mississippi Business Corporation Act follows the national model code but simplifies it for closely held companies (those whose shares aren’t publicly traded). There’s no publication requirement, franchise tax, or shareholder disclosure. Flexible bylaws and permissive capitalization rules make it easier for small and family-owned corporations to organize quickly and stay compliant.

Below, we’ll explain how to incorporate in Mississippi, including the benefits and costs.

What’s in this article?

• What does it mean to incorporate a business in Mississippi?
  
• What are the advantages of forming a corporation in Mississippi?
  
• How much does it cost to incorporate in Mississippi?
  
• What are the steps to incorporate your business in Mississippi?
  
• How Stripe Atlas can help
  

What does it mean to incorporate a business in Mississippi?

Incorporating in Mississippi means creating a legal entity that exists apart from the people who run it. The secretary of state issues that recognition when it accepts your articles of incorporation under the Mississippi Business Corporation Act. From that moment on, the corporation can own property, sign contracts, and pay taxes in its own name. Incorporation is a legal boundary that separates business assets and liabilities from personal ones.

This legal boundary also introduces structure. A Mississippi corporation is a system of roles and rights defined in statute. Shareholders supply capital, directors set strategy, and officers make it happen. The entity continues regardless of who holds the shares, which gives it a permanence that many unincorporated businesses lack.

Mississippi law recognizes several corporate forms, including C corporations (C corps), S corporations (a federal tax election the state automatically honors), professional corporations for licensed fields, and nonprofit corporations for charitable or educational work.

To incorporate in Mississippi is to give your business a distinct legal identity, one that the state can regulate, investors can trust, and you can build on.

What are the advantages of forming a corporation in Mississippi?

Mississippi combines low formation costs with incentive programs that reduce real operating expenses. Here are a few of the benefits associated with incorporating in Mississippi.

Predictable costs and governance

Filing costs for articles of incorporation are low. The Mississippi Business Corporation Act follows the Revised Model Business Corporation Act, which includes well-defined rules on shareholder rights, director duties, and limited liability. Mississippi has a graduated income tax rate: 0% on the first $10,000 of taxable income​ and 4.7% on the remaining taxable income in excess of $10,000. That means you can plan for what you’ll need to pay.

Speedy redemption of incentives

The Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive (MFLEX) is the state’s flagship credit. Qualifying projects (those that create more than 10 jobs and expect at least $2.5 million in capital investment) can use 1 discretionary credit to offset several liabilities: income, franchise, sales, and even withholding. It’s administered by the Mississippi Development Authority and reconciled annually against actual payroll and investment numbers.

If you’re an employer who’s increasing head count, the Advantage Jobs Rebate Program returns up to 90% of the payroll tax withheld for up to 10 years, as long as the jobs pay at least 110% of the state’s or your county’s average wage. It’s structured as a rebate rather than a carryforward credit, which means you see an immediate effect on your cash flow.

Structural advantages for capital investment

Manufacturers pay 1.5% sales tax on machinery and parts, compared with the standard 7.0%, and utilities used directly in production are often exempt. Local governments can approve property tax abatements on new or expanded facilities in manufacturing, data processing, or distribution. Together, these can reduce up-front and ongoing costs in ways that materially change a project’s return on investment.

How much does it cost to incorporate in Mississippi?

Mississippi’s incorporation cost structure is simple and transparent. Every fee is fixed by statute and handled online through the secretary of state’s filing system.

Core state fees

• Articles of incorporation filing fee: $50 (for both for-profit and nonprofit corporations)

• Annual report fee: $25, due April 15 each year

• Reservation of business name: $25 to hold it for 180 days

• Certificate of Authority for a foreign corporation: $500

• Registered agent change of address: $10 per company

What are the steps to incorporate your business in Mississippi?

Mississippi’s incorporation process is fast and fully digital. You can move from concept to a chartered corporation in a day if your information is ready.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to incorporating.

Choose a compliant name

Your corporation’s name must be unique in the state’s database and include a corporate identifier: Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, or an abbreviation (Inc., Co., Ltd., or Corp.). To use words such as “Bank” and “Insurance,” you must be licensed for those activities, as they trigger additional review. You can check name availability through the secretary of state’s online search tool.

Designate a registered agent

Every Mississippi corporation must have a registered agent with a physical street address in the state (no PO Boxes). This can be a Mississippi resident or a commercial registered agent authorized to do business in the state.

File articles of incorporation online

You can file through the secretary of state’s business portal. Doing so via paper mail is no longer possible. Pay the $50 fee by card or eCheck. Filings are generally approved immediately, and you’ll receive a stamped certificate of incorporation online. You’ll need to list:

• Corporate name and principal address

• Registered agent name and street address

• Incorporator name and address

• Authorized shares (minimum of one; specify classes if applicable)

• Duration (perpetual by default)

• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that describes your business activity

Adopt bylaws and seat your board

After formation, hold an organizational meeting of the incorporators or initial directors to:

• Approve bylaws (kept internally, not filed with the state)

• Elect directors (if not named in the articles)

• Appoint officers (president, secretary, treasurer, etc.)

• Authorize stock issuance and record ownership in the shareholder ledger

These actions establish the governance required under state law and preserve the liability shield that incorporation provides.

Register for state tax and local licenses

If your corporation does any of the following, you need to register for the appropriate checks:

• Sell goods or taxable services: Register for a sales tax permit with the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) via the TAP system.

• Have employees: Register for withholding tax and unemployment insurance accounts through DOR and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

• Operate in a regulated industry: Obtain any required professional or municipal licenses. (Many cities require a general business or “privilege” license.)

File your annual report

All corporations must file an annual report by April 15 each year and pay the $25 fee. The form is brief and filed online. Missing the deadline risks administrative dissolution, but reinstatement is available through the same portal.

If you’re based out of state, register as a foreign corporation

An existing corporation organized elsewhere must obtain a Certificate of Authority before it does business in Mississippi. You file through the same online system and pay $500. Once approved, you’re authorized to transact business and must file annual reports like a domestic corporation.

Stay organized

Keep corporate records at your principal office. These can include articles, bylaws, minutes, stock ledger, and state filings. Mississippi law doesn’t require you to file these, but maintaining them is important to prove corporate compliance and protect the liability shield.

Mississippi’s incorporation process is deliberately simple, with one online filing to create the entity, one annual report to maintain it, and transparent, consistent rules for corporations to follow.

How Stripe Atlas can help

Stripe Atlas sets up your company’s legal foundations so you can fundraise, open a bank account, and accept payments within two business days from anywhere in the world.

Join 75K+ companies incorporated using Atlas, including startups backed by top investors like Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.

Applying to Atlas

Applying to form a company with Atlas takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll choose your company structure, instantly confirm whether your company name is available, and add up to four cofounders. You’ll also decide how to split equity, reserve a pool of equity for future investors and employees, appoint officers, and then e-sign all your documents. Any cofounders will receive emails inviting them to e-sign their documents, too.

Accepting payments and banking before your EIN arrives

After forming your company, Atlas files for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Founders with a US Social Security number, address, and cell phone number are eligible for IRS expedited processing, while others will receive standard processing, which can take a little longer. Additionally, Atlas enables pre-EIN payments and banking, so you can start accepting payments and making transactions before your EIN arrives.

Cashless founder stock purchase

Founders can purchase initial shares using their intellectual property (e.g., copyrights or patents) instead of cash, with proof of purchase stored in your Atlas Dashboard. Your IP must be valued at $100 or less to use this feature; if you own IP above that value, consult a lawyer before proceeding.

Automatic 83(b) tax election filing

Founders can file an 83(b) tax election to reduce personal income taxes. Atlas will file it for you—whether you are a US or non-US founder—with USPS Certified Mail and tracking. You’ll receive a signed 83(b) election and proof of filing directly in your Stripe Dashboard.

World-class company legal documents

Atlas provides all the legal documents you need to start running your company. Atlas C corp documents are built in collaboration with Cooley, one of the world’s leading venture capital law firms. These documents are designed to help you fundraise immediately and ensure your company is legally protected, covering aspects like ownership structure, equity distribution, and tax compliance.

A free year of Stripe Payments, plus $50K in partner credits and discounts

Atlas collaborates with top-tier partners to give founders exclusive discounts and credits. These include discounts on essential tools for engineering, tax, finance, compliance, and operations from industry leaders like AWS, Carta, and Perplexity. We also provide you with your required Delaware registered agent for free in your first year. Plus, as an Atlas user, you’ll access additional Stripe benefits, including up to a year of free payment processing for up to $100K in payment volume.

Learn more about how Atlas can help you set up your new business quickly and easily, or get started today.