Lesson 13 of 13
Ongoing corporate compliance
Corporate formalities are not bureaucracy for its own sake. They are the evidence that the corporation is a real, separate entity.
The annual rhythm
- Annual shareholder meeting and board meetings, or written consents in place of them
- Minutes recorded and kept in the minute book
- Stock ledger updated for every issuance or transfer
- State reports and franchise tax filed on time
- Corporate and payroll tax returns filed
- Beneficial ownership reporting where currently required, per FinCEN guidance
- Business licences renewed
Protecting the shield
Keep corporate and personal funds strictly separate, sign in the corporate name with your title, document loans and related-party transactions, and follow your own bylaws. Courts look at exactly these habits when someone asks them to disregard the corporate form.
Official sources
Want us to incorporate for you?
You can incorporate directly with the state using the steps in this course. If you would prefer, Gullia Filing prepares and files the Articles of Incorporation, supplies bylaws and organisational resolutions, obtains your EIN and acts as your registered agent.