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.

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 such as 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 co-founders. 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 co-founders 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 EIN. Founders with a US Social Security number, address and mobile 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 such as 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 payments volume.

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