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  • California Corporations

Before Proceeding:

Blue shading and * designate required fields: you must enter something in all required fields to submit the form. If you don't have an answer to a required field, enter "n/a" or "?".

Primary Contact for Formation Solutions Correspondence

For contact from Formation Solutions(questions, clarifications).
Official company contact info is collected further down.

First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Office Phone
Mobile/Alternate Phone

Please provide at least one phone number.


Legal Address for Company

This contact information will be given when filing paperwork with the state, county, the IRS and other agencies.
   Name of principal
   officer		 *
   Email *
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   Daytime Phone *
   Fax Number
   County *

Name of Company

The name of the corporation must contain the word "corporation", "incorporated" or "limited" or an abbreviation of one of such words. The name must not be likely to mislead the public, be the same as, or resemble so closely as to lead to deception, the name of a domestic or qualified foreign corporation, a name under reservation, or the registered or assumed name of a foreign corporation. The name would need Superintendent of Bank's approval if it contained the words "Bank," "Trust," or "Trustee."

(Case and punctuation are important: submit exactly what you'd like, including "Corp," "Inc.," etc.)

First Choice *
Second Choice *
Third Choice

State of Formation * required
   
Please describe your business briefly.
*
 

Capital Stock Info

There is a distinction between "authorized shares," which is a pool of shares that the company is authorized to issue, and "issued shares," which is the number of shares that are actually issued (sold/granted) to the founders, investors, etc. The authorized pool is typically much larger than the number of shares that are initially going to be issued.

You first must indicated the number of shares authorized. Then under "Founders Shares," you'll indicate how many of those authorized shares will be issued to the founders. Those founders shares will initially represent 100% of the ownership.

1. Authorized Shares.

Before shares are issued to founders, investors, or others, a pool of shares must be "authorized." Then, a portion of those authorized shares are actually "issued." For many companies, the numbers are fairly arbitrary. Many of our clients authorize 1,000 to 10,000 shares, then create Bylaws that give the Board of Directors the authority to authorize more shares later as needed.

So for example, if there are 3 owners, each to be issued 100 shares, the company could "authorize" 300 shares and then "issue" them all. But to create some flexibility going forward, the company might want to authorize a much higher number of authorized shares--say, 10,000, even if only 300 will be issued for now--to leave room for issuance of new stock.

   Shares to be Authorized    *


2. Founders (Issued) Shares.

When the Board of Directors convenes the first time, it will issue shares of ownership to the initial shareholders. Please list the shareholders here. The total of the shares "issued" will represent 100% of the company initially.

First Shareholder  
   Name *
   Email *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
Capital Contribution in consideration of shares. *
(dollar amount of cash or describe other contributed property)
Number of Shares to be issued *
   
Second Shareholder (if applicable)
   Name
   Email *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code
Cash Capital Contribution in consideration of shares.
(dollar amount of cash or describe other contributed property)
   Shares to be issued
   
Third Shareholder (if applicable)
   Name
   Email *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code
Cash Capital Contribution in consideration of shares.
(dollar amount of cash or describe other contributed property)
   Shares to be issued
Check this box if there are more than three shareholders. (We will collect the other shareholders' information separately.)

Director Information
First Director  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   
Second Director (if applicable)
   Name
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code
   
Third Director (if applicable)
   Name
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code
Check this box if there are more than three initial directors. (We will collect the other director's information separately.)

Officers

  
   
CEO / President  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   
Secretary  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *
   
CFO / Treasurer  
   Name *
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address *
   City *
   State *
   Zip Code *

Fictitious Business Name

For most companies, the corporation name is the name you will "do business as," so there is no need for a Fictitious Business Name, also known as a DBA. However, if you wish to "do business as" another name, please list your name choices here.

If you do not require a DBA, skip this section.

   First Choice
   Second Choice
Check this box if there are more than two business names to register. (We will collect the other DBA's separately.)

Registered Agent

California requires corporations to name a Resident Agent for Service of Process in the Articles of Organization. The registered agent must either be an individual having a physical location (PO Box not acceptable) in California and be available during normal business hours, or be a company registered with the Secretary of State to be an agent.

Formation Solutions, Inc. will act as Registered Agent for an annual fee of $125. Documents accepted by Formation Solutions, Inc. will be delivered to you by overnight mail, and the document will be emailed you as a scanned PDF. Indicate below if you'd prefer to have a different individual act as your agent.

We'll use Formation Solutions, Inc. as Agent.
We'd prefer to use the information below for our Agent.
  If you'd prefer to have a different individual act as your agent, complete this information. Otherwise, skip to next section.
Name   
  Do you want to copy principal business address here?
   Address
   City
   State
   Zip Code

Federal Employer Identification Number and Tax Election Issues

As part of this project, we will obtain your Federal Tax ID number (FEIN) for you. For this, the IRS requests other information.


Indicate principal line of merchandise sold; specific construction work done; products produced; or services provided.

*required

Name the closing month of your company's accounting year: *required
(The issue here is this: do you need the company to have a fiscal year that is not the same as the calendar year. If not, simply enter December.)

What is the highest number of employees expected in the next 12 months for each of the following categories? (Enter the number in each of the appropriate boxes.)

      Agricultural Household Other

C or S Corporation

By default, all corporations start out as a "C" corporation. To become a Subchapter S Corporation (or "S Corp"), we must make the S election with the IRS on your behalf.
Does the entity wish to be taxed as an
S or C corporation? * required		 S Corp
C Corp

Spouse Contact Information

For S Election only (skip if this is a C corp)

Making the election to have your corporation taxed as a Subchapter S corp will have the effect of "passing through" profits and losses to shareholders, who then report the income or loss on their personl tax returns. For married couples filing jointly, this will affect the spouse(s) of all shareholders.

As a result, the IRS requires that shareholders' spouses give consent to the S election. This is done by having spouses sign the S election form along with shareholders. To prepare this filing, we will need to collect spouse information for the form.

List as many as there are shareholders with spouses. If there are more, we'll collect separately.

Spouse 1 Name
Spouse 1 Email
Spouse 1 - Spouse of
(shareholder name)


Spouse 2 Name
Spouse 2 Email
Spouse 2 - Spouse of
(shareholder name)



Spouse 3 Name
Spouse 3 Email
Spouse 3 - Spouse of
(shareholder name)



Spouse 4 Name
Spouse 4 Email
Spouse 4 - Spouse of
(shareholder name)



Spouse 5 Name
Spouse 5 Email
Spouse 5 - Spouse of
(shareholder name)

Employees

Does the entity plan to have employees in this quarter? Yes No (* one choice required)
   
If so, what is the first date wages or annuities were paid or will be paid:   

Check the one box that best describes the principal activity of the business:* one choice required

Construction
Rental & Leasing
Transportation & Warehousing
Health Care & Social Assistance
Real Estate
Manufacturing
Finance & Insurance
Accommodation & Food Service
Retail
Wholesale - Owner
Wholesale - Agent/Broker
Other (specify)

How did you hear about Formation Solutions?

Do you have any comments, complaints, or suggestions about this process?

We have great contacts with CPAs, attorney and other service firms. We can help make a good match for you if you need it. Would you like assistance with a referral to any of the following types of service firms?

Accountants   
Attorneys   
Digital Strategy & Web Development   
Social Media Marketing   
Payroll Specialists   

Authorization & Approval: No Legal Services

  Important Disclaimer Information : Formation Solutions, Inc. is not a law firm, and it's employees and representatives are not attorneys. Neither Formation Solutions, Inc., nor any of its owners, employees, agents, or affiliates for whom it is responsible provide any legal services, legal representation or legal advice. The information and suggestions contained in this website have been developed from sources, including publications and research that are considered and believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed insofar as they apply to any particular individual, corporation, or taxpayer. Moreover, because of the technical nature of this material and the fact that laws and statutes are never static, but ever changing, the assistance of a competent, qualified lawyer or accountant is recommended when implementing these documents. This material does not constitute legal advice and should not be taken as or used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel. Formation Solutions, Inc. specifically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence of the use and/or application of the information in these documents.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above disclaimer information. I agree that Formation Solutions. Inc., nor its employees and agents have not provided any legal, tax or financial advice and that the information I have provided above is accurate. * required