This presentation instructs the business owner how to start a corporation (incorporate) in Pennsylvania. This guide will help you file formation documents, get tax identification numbers, and set up your company records. It includes information on fees, forms, and processing times. If you are looking to incorporate in another state, or to form an LLC, stay tuned.

2. 1. Choose a corporate structure
• Incorporating means starting a corporation
• C-Corp and S-Corp are tax elections, not
structures
• For a comparison of entities, click here

3. 2. Check name availability
• Do a name search with the Pennsylvania
Department of State
• Your name cannot conflict with an existing
one
• Licensing boards (e.g. doctors, lawyers)
require name pre-approval

4. 3. Appoint a registered agent
• You are required to maintain a registered
agent in Pennsylvania
• The agent receives notice of lawsuit and
legal / government notices
• Can be an individual with an address in the
state (not P.O. Box) or a commercial
agent.

5. 4. File Articles of Incorporation
• Form DSCB:15-1306: Articles of
Incorporation – For Profit
• Fee: $125
• Must be accompanied by docketing
statement
• Mail to Pennsylvania Department of State
• Turnaround: 10-14 days

6. 5. Publish Incorporation
• Advertise notice of incorporation in two
approved newspapers in the county of the
registered agent
• 1 must be legal publication
• Newspaper fees total about $200
• Obtain affidavits for your records

7. 6. Bylaws and Records
• Keep your articles, affidavits, and other
important documents
• Draft bylaws for the organization
• Record kit & templates save time!

8. 7. Appoint Initial Directors
• These directors serve on the board until the
annual meeting of shareholders
• Appointed by incorporator
• Documented in corporate records

9. 8. Hold Organizational Meeting
• Consists of incorporators and/or initial
directors
• Keep minutes of this meeting
• Appoint officers (e.g. President, Secretary)

10. 9. Issue Stock Certificates
• Owners may be issued stock certificates as
proof of ownership
• Secretary’s stock ledger records issued
stock

11. 10. Obtain EIN
• Federal Employer Identification Number
• Required for corporations
• File Form SS-4 with IRS by mail, fax, or
online

12. 11. Obtain PA State Tax IDs
• Pennsylvania issues multiple Tax IDs
• File PA-100: PA Enterprise Registration Form
• Submit to Pennsylvania Department of
Revenue
• Fee: $0 + applicable license fees

13. 12. Consider S-Corp Election
• By default, the corporation is taxed as a C-
Corp
• Consider S-Corp for tax savings as a small
business
• IRS Form 2553

14. 13. Obtain Applicable Licenses
• To run your business legally, you may need
a host of local, state, or federal licenses and
permits
• Search your requirements on SBA.gov

15. 14. Ongoing Activities
• Annual report with Department of State
• Board meetings
• Annual shareholder meeting
• Maintain a registered agent
• Update the government with address
change

16. For More Info:
• How to Incorporate in Pennsylvania
• Email: info [AT] HarborCompliance [DOT] com

17. The information contained in this
presentation is not legal, financial, or tax
advice. Harbor Compliance is not a
legal or accounting firm.