Idaho Articles of Incorporation
Idaho articles of incorporation form a corporation by filing Articles of Incorporation - General Business with the Secretary of State for a $100 base fee. Attorney review available.
Find out where you stand in Idaho
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Introduction
Idaho is one of the states that charges no annual Secretary of State franchise or privilege tax to keep a corporation alive, and you bring that corporation into existence as a separate legal entity by filing Articles of Incorporation - General Business with the Idaho Secretary of State. Filing brings the corporation into existence so it can own property, sign contracts, and give its owners limited liability for the debts of the business. Idaho law requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, a statement of purpose, a registered agent, and the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue (Idaho Code 30-29-202). The base filing fee paid to the Secretary of State is $100. A paper filing adds a $20 manual processing fee, for a $120 total. The registered agent named in the articles must have a registered office in Idaho and agree to receive legal papers for the corporation. Idaho does not charge an annual Secretary of State franchise or privilege tax to keep the corporation in existence, and the annual report is free when filed online through the SOSBiz portal, due by the last day of the anniversary month each year (Idaho Code 30-21-213). Separately, the Idaho State Tax Commission imposes a $20 minimum corporate income or franchise tax per return. DocDraft builds your Idaho articles of incorporation from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
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Idaho forms a for-profit corporation through the Articles of Incorporation - General Business filed with the Secretary of State, which is the filing that creates the corporation as a separate legal entity.
- 2
You file the articles with the Idaho Secretary of State and pay a $100 base filing fee. A paper filing adds a $20 manual processing fee, for a $120 total. The Secretary of State is the filing office for forming an Idaho corporation.
- 3
Idaho requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, a statement of purpose, a registered agent, and the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue (Idaho Code 30-29-202).
- 4
The registered agent named in the articles must have a registered office in Idaho and agree to accept legal papers for the corporation. The corporation must keep a registered agent on file at all times (Idaho Code 30-21-404).
- 5
Idaho does not charge an annual Secretary of State franchise or privilege tax to keep the corporation in existence. Separately, the Idaho State Tax Commission imposes a $20 minimum corporate income or franchise tax per return.
- 6
Every Idaho corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, due by the last day of the anniversary month each year (Idaho Code 30-21-213). The report is free when filed online through SOSBiz; a paper filing adds a $20 manual processing fee.
- 7
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Idaho limited liability company you file a Certificate of Organization instead, and corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Articles of Incorporation in Idaho, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Articles of Incorporation guide walks through them.
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Idaho Requirements for Articles of Incorporation
File Articles of Incorporation With the Secretary of State
An Idaho for-profit corporation is formed by filing Articles of Incorporation - General Business with the Idaho Secretary of State. The base filing fee is $100, and a paper filing adds a $20 manual processing fee for a $120 total. The corporation legally exists once the Secretary of State files the articles.
Corporate Name With a Designator
The corporation name in the articles must include a word such as Corporation, Incorporated, Company, or Limited, or an abbreviation, and must be distinguishable from other entities on file with the Idaho Secretary of State (Idaho Code 30-29-202).
Statement of Purpose
Idaho articles include a purpose statement that the corporation is formed to engage in any lawful business or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Idaho Business Corporation Act (Idaho Code 30-29-202).
Registered Agent and Office
The articles must name a registered agent with a registered office in Idaho who agrees to accept legal papers for the corporation. The corporation must keep a registered agent on file at all times (Idaho Code 30-21-404).
Authorized Shares
The articles must state the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue. If more than one class or series is authorized, the articles state the designation and number of each class or series (Idaho Code 30-29-202).
Annual Report
Every Idaho corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, due by the last day of the anniversary month each year (Idaho Code 30-21-213). The report is free when filed online through SOSBiz; a paper filing adds a $20 manual processing fee.
No Secretary of State Franchise Tax
Idaho does not charge an annual Secretary of State franchise or privilege tax to keep the corporation in existence. Separately, the Idaho State Tax Commission imposes a $20 minimum corporate income or franchise tax per return; confirm the current figure with the Tax Commission.
Corporation Versus LLC
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Idaho limited liability company you file a Certificate of Organization instead. Corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files with the state.