What is corporation in business? A corporation is an organization created by individuals that comes with certain liabilities and rights, with the organization separate from its creators. The corporation is also a legal entity that’s managed by officers, also called a board of directors. The corporate structure is the most lucrative way of starting a business because it exists as a distinct entity that safeguards business owners.

The business itself has the legal rights of a person, with the exception of voting rights, along with various other limitations. In essence, a corporation is also called a legal person, and it is subject to the same mandates as any other individual, such as paying taxes.

A corporation can also be the following:

• A non-profit group that services the public good 

• A municipal corporation in the form of a town or city

• A private business organized to amass profit (standard corporation)

With that, most corporations are created to provide income to shareholders. The main advantages include:

• Indefinite existence, even if members die or file bankruptcy

• Ownership shares can be transferred in the form of shares or gifts

• Limited liability protections to members

The most common type of corporation in the United States is a C corporation. A corporation is created through a group of shareholders who retain ownership of the business, and such ownership is representedthrough the retention of common stock. Further, a corporation may have several shareholders or a single one. When it comes to publicly-traded corporations, thousands of shareholders may hold stock in one corporation.

 State Requirements

Corporations exist under state laws that grant corporate charters. You may choose the state where you wish to incorporate, and the state you choose will be the headquarters of your business, or the place where you conduct most of your business operations.

Moreover, some owners incorporate in states that have fewer regulations, and other states do not mandate corporate income taxes. Such states include:

• Delaware

• Wyoming

• Nevada

If you choose to incorporate in one of the aforementioned states but wish to register in another state, you need to ask for qualification in the state where you intend to conduct business, and you may have to pay a fee to get the qualification. You would then have to register the business as a foreign entity in the state where you will conduct business, in addition to paying state taxes.

When it comes to creating a corporation, many states mandate at least two or three individuals create a corporation, but they do not have to be shareholders.

Note:  You can also ask family members or friends to be officers in your business.

Board members are not usually held liable for corporate debts, but they are obligated to care about a corporation, and they can be personally responsible if they fail in such a duty.

Incorporation Registration

You may incorporate the business via the filing of articles of incorporation with the right agency in your state, usually the secretary of state office. To successfully register your corporation you must have articles of incorporation with the following information on it:

• Physical address and name of the corporation

• Description of business goods and services

• Address and name of registered agent, or a person authorized to receive official paperwork on behalf of your business

• Share numbers and the shareholders

Corporate Names

State authorities will grant a corporation any name, so long as the name is not in use by another company. Such well-known corporations include:

• Toyota Motor Corporation

• The Coca-Cola Company

• Microsoft Corporation

Certain corporations also do business under various names. For instance, Alphabet Inc. notably operates as Google. After the incorporation process, company shareholders receive stock in exchange for cash or other assets to obtain the stock.

Corporate Management

The shareholders usually get one vote for each share and can choose a board of directors that appoints officers to oversee daily aspects of the business. A board of directors must also execute a corporation’s goals and business plans and carry out the will of the shareholders.

Additionally, shareholders elect a board of directors each year, and the directors regularly meet anywhere from once a month to a year to discuss business affairs and the general direction of the company. Also, the directors choose officers in the form of

• Presidents

• Vice presidents

• Secretaries

• Treasurers

What is corporation in business? To learn more,  submit your legal inquiry to the UpCounsel marketplace. UpCounsel’s lawyers have graduated from some of the best law schools in the nation, and they will answer any questions you have regarding the corporate registration process, including how to maintain your corporate entity. In addition, they will help you maximize all tax advantages afforded to you under a corporate structure.