Incorporating in New Hampshire has many benefits for businesses. The Granite State has no personal income tax or sales tax, you don’t have to include shareholder identities in your filing, and the focus of filings is typically on officers, directors, and the annual report. As long as you use the legal structure responsibly, the state offers a simple incorporation process to make your business idea a reality.

Below, we’ll explain how incorporation works in New Hampshire, including what to file, what’s required, and how to stay in good standing with the state.

What’s in this article?

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

What does it mean to incorporate a business in New Hampshire?

Incorporating in New Hampshire means giving your business a separate legal identity by creating a corporation that can own property, open bank accounts, hire employees, sign contracts, and be held accountable, all in its own right.

That separation is foundational for limited liability. It shields the people who run the company from the company’s obligations. If the corporation takes on debt or faces a lawsuit, the business is liable, not the founders.

Once you file with the New Hampshire secretary of state and get approved, your company becomes a recognized legal entity. From there, you can issue shares, allocate ownership, and raise capital through equity investment.

Incorporation turns a business idea into a real business entity, with the associated protections and capabilities.

What are the advantages of forming a corporation in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire offers businesses many benefits, starting with its tax structure. There’s no state personal income tax and no general sales tax. That means there’s no state-level tax on wages, dividends, or distributions to owners and no sales tax burden to pass on to customers. For pass-through entities such as S corporations, profits that flow through to owners avoid state income taxation entirely.

Here’s a closer look at the advantages of incorporating here.

Modest business taxes

There’s no franchise tax and no capital stock tax, but New Hampshire has two business taxes:

• Business Profits Tax (BPT): 7.50% on gross income over $109,000, as of 2025

• Business Enterprise Tax (BET): 0.55% on compensation, interest, and dividends, if gross receipts exceed $298,000, as of 2025

The state has steadily lowered both rates over time. (In 2021, BPT was 7.70% and BET was 0.60%.) There are signs of continued policy support for business-friendly tax treatment.

Low administrative requirements

Annual reports are due April 1 via the NH Quickstart portal. You report or update basic information such as principal office address, officers and directors, and registered agent.

Compelling business incentives

New Hampshire also offers meaningful financial incentives for doing business in the state:

• The Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit Program reimburses up to 10% of qualifying R&D wages, capped at $50,000 annually for each entity, with unused credits carried forward for 5 years.

• The Economic Revitalization Zone Credit provides tax credits based on capital investment and job creation in qualifying areas. For this initiative, the state has designated up to $825,000 statewide per year in tax credits.

What are the legal requirements to incorporate in New Hampshire?

Corporations in New Hampshire are subject to specific structural, filing, and compliance rules.

Here are the legal requirements you need to know about.

Business name

Your corporation’s name must be distinguishable from existing New Hampshire entities and must include a corporate identifier such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or an abbreviation (e.g., “Inc.,” “Corp.”). You can check availability through the secretary of state’s business name database.

Articles of incorporation

You must file articles of incorporation with the New Hampshire secretary of state. You can file online via the NH Quickstart portal, which is the fastest method, or you can file by mail or in person.

This document must include:

• Legal name of the corporation

• Principal office address

• Registered agent name and physical New Hampshire address

• Number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue

• Name and address of each incorporator

Registered agent

Every New Hampshire corporation is required to maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address (no PO Boxes). This agent accepts legal and official correspondence. You can serve as your own agent or hire a professional service. If the state can’t reach your agent, your business risks losing its good standing.

Initial corporate structure

New Hampshire requires a corporation to have at least one director, with no residency or age restrictions. The incorporator appoints the board, which adopts bylaws and appoints officers (e.g., president, treasurer, secretary). These steps aren’t filed with the state, but they’re foundational.

Document board resolutions, officer appointments, bylaws, and initial share issuances and keep a stock ledger (internal record of ownership). Shareholder names aren’t included in public filings, but accurate internal records are necessary for legal clarity.

Annual reporting

Compliance requirements in New Hampshire are minimal. Corporations must file annual reports by April 1. The report should update details such as office address, officers, directors, and registered agent. Late filings can lead to administrative dissolution.

How much does it cost to incorporate in New Hampshire?

Filing the articles of incorporation with the secretary of state costs $100, whether they’re submitted online through the NH Quickstart portal or by mail. Online filings typically process faster and provide immediate confirmation. It costs $15 to reserve a business name for 120 days. Filing an annual report costs $100. There’s a $50 penalty if you’re late with your filing.

If you don’t have a physical address in New Hampshire, you’ll also need to hire a registered agent service, which typically costs $100–$300 annually.

What are the steps to incorporate your business in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire handles incorporations through the secretary of state’s NH Quickstart portal. If your filing is rejected, you’ll receive guidance on what to fix. The processing time can vary, but expedited service is available in person for a $25 fee.

Here are the steps to incorporate in New Hampshire.

Choose a name

Your corporation’s name must be unique within New Hampshire and include a corporate designator. You can search the state’s online database to confirm availability, and you can reserve a name if you’re not ready to file.

Appoint a registered agent

All New Hampshire corporations must designate a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This person or service is responsible for receiving legal notices and state communications. You can act as your own agent, if you meet the requirements, or hire a commercial agent.

File articles of incorporation

File your articles of incorporation through the NH Quickstart portal, by mail, or in person. Once they’re approved, the state will issue a certificate of incorporation, your formal proof of existence as a New Hampshire corporation.

Hold your organizational meeting

After incorporation, the incorporator (or initial director) holds an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws, appoint officers (e.g., president, secretary, treasurer), approve issuance of shares, and record decisions in meeting minutes.

These internal actions aren’t filed with the state, but they’re legally important. You should also prepare a stock ledger to track share ownership. While New Hampshire doesn’t require public disclosure of shareholders, your ledger is the definitive internal record.

Check for additional licenses or permits

New Hampshire doesn’t have a statewide general business license, but industry- and location-specific licenses might apply. For example, food service, construction, healthcare, and professional services can require state or municipal permits. Check with the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs or the local city hall to confirm what applies to your business.

File your annual report

Every corporation must file an annual report via NH Quickstart by April 1. You’ll update or confirm basic details: business address, officers, directors, and registered agent. Missing the deadline can result in late fees and eventual administrative dissolution.

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.