Where to Incorporate an Internet Based Business
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Mary Martin
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Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
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UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023
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UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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The process of choosing a state to incorporate an Internet business is not substantially different than choosing where to incorporate a brick and mortar business. You must first ask yourself where you will be conducting all or the majority of your business. You should also consider other business issues such as privacy and tax benefits.
Benefits of Incorporating Locally for Small Businesses
If your online business will be small and somewhat local, consider incorporating in the state where you will do most of your business. Incorporating in your home state will be less complicated and less expensive. Filing federal taxes will be less difficult than if your corporation were incorporated elsewhere. Furthermore, you will end up filing one state tax return instead of multiple returns.
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Incorporating a Large Business
If your business will be larger, or you will operate and deliver nationwide, then you may choose to broaden your search. There are some drawbacks to this approach. For example, being required to qualify to register as a foreign corporation in your home state means some additional expense as a result (the associated fees, reporting and filing requirements). However, some states offer tax and legal advantages that make it worth the effort to incorporate in another state. This makes even more sense if a substantial amount of your business will be carried out in that state or across multiple states. Two of the most popular states for incorporating businesses of all sizes and types are Delaware and Nevada.
Incorporating in Delaware
Delaware is home to the most business friendly environment for incorporating. It has a Court of Chancery, consisting of judges who hear only corporate law cases. This specialization means court rulings are consistent, relatively fast, and and there are numerous court precedents. Because e-commerce law is evolving, Delaware’s legal track record gives Internet business management, investors, and counsel confidence.
Incorporating in Nevada
Along with being a tax-free state, Nevada has several compelling privacy benefits that make it an attractive state for online business incorporation. State law allows for the names of corporation members of the board of directors to be kept off public record. You can do the same with certain types of investors. If privacy is a huge concern, then you may consider incorporating in Nevada.
Ultimately, the right state in which to incorporate depends on you, your business needs, and your individual situation. For the short term, pick the state that meets your needs now as you can change corporate domicile later. It is a question of saving a bit of money now or paying more later if you are successful.
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Case Studies: Incorporating an Internet-Based Business
Case Study 1: Benefits of Incorporating Locally for Small Businesses
Explore the advantages of incorporating an online business in the state where the majority of operations are conducted. By incorporating in their home state, businesses like Jane’s E-commerce Store or John’s Web Design Agency can benefit from a less complicated and more cost-effective process.
They can file federal taxes and a single state tax return, simplifying their financial obligations.
Case Study 2: Incorporating a Large Business
Delve into the considerations for incorporating a larger online business that operates and delivers nationwide. For example, GlobalTech Solutions, a multinational software company, faces the challenge of qualifying as a foreign corporation in its home state.
However, the potential tax and legal advantages offered by states like Delaware and Nevada can outweigh the initial challenges, especially when a substantial portion of the business is conducted in those states or across multiple states.
Case Study 3: Incorporating in Delaware
Analyze the benefits of incorporating an Internet business in Delaware, a state known for its business-friendly environment. TechConnect Inc., a rapidly growing e-commerce platform, can take advantage of Delaware’s Court of Chancery, which specializes in corporate law cases.
The presence of consistent and efficient court rulings, along with numerous court precedents, instills confidence in TechConnect’s management, investors, and legal counsel.
Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.
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Mary Martin
Published Legal Expert
Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
Published Legal Expert
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.