Indiana Articles of Incorporation
Indiana articles of incorporation form a corporation by filing with the Secretary of State for $95 online, setting the name, agent, and shares. Attorney review available.
Find out where you stand in Indiana
DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.
Introduction
In Indiana you report to the state only every two years through the Business Entity Report, and the corporation that report keeps current is created as a separate legal entity when you file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State's Business Services Division through INBiz. 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. Indiana law requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, the street address of the initial registered office and the name of the initial registered agent at that office, and the name and address of each incorporator (IC 23-1-21-2). The filing fee paid to the Secretary of State is $95 when filed online through INBiz, or $100 by paper. Indiana does not impose a corporate franchise tax on general for-profit corporations; a separate Financial Institutions Tax applies only to banks and similar entities. After formation, the corporation must file a Business Entity Report with the Secretary of State every two years, with a $32 fee online or $50 by paper, due in the anniversary month of formation (IC 23-0.5-2-13). DocDraft builds your Indiana articles of incorporation from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
- 1
Indiana files corporations through the Secretary of State's Business Services Division on INBiz, where submitting the Articles of Incorporation brings the corporation into existence as a separate legal entity.
- 2
You file the articles with the Indiana Secretary of State and pay a $95 fee when filing online through INBiz, or $100 by paper. The Secretary of State is the filing office for forming an Indiana corporation.
- 3
Indiana requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, the initial registered office and registered agent, and the name and address of each incorporator (IC 23-1-21-2).
- 4
The registered agent named in the articles must have a physical Indiana street address and agree to accept legal papers for the corporation. The corporation must keep a registered agent on file at all times (IC 23-0.5-4-1).
- 5
Indiana does not impose a corporate franchise tax on general for-profit corporations. A separate Financial Institutions Tax applies only to banks and similar financial institutions.
- 6
After formation, the corporation must file a Business Entity Report with the Secretary of State every two years (biennially), with a $32 fee online or $50 by paper, due in the anniversary month of formation (IC 23-0.5-2-13).
- 7
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Indiana limited liability company you file articles 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 Indiana, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Articles of Incorporation guide walks through them.
Open the Articles of Incorporation guideCustomize your Articles of Incorporation Template with DocDraft
Indiana Requirements for Articles of Incorporation
File Articles of Incorporation With the Secretary of State
An Indiana for-profit corporation is formed by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division, through INBiz. The filing fee is $95 online or $100 by paper. 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 Indiana Secretary of State (IC 23-1-21-2).
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 (IC 23-1-21-2).
Registered Office and Registered Agent
The articles must state the street address of the initial registered office in Indiana and the name of the initial registered agent at that office, and the corporation must maintain a registered agent at all times (IC 23-1-21-2, 23-0.5-4-1).
Incorporators
The articles must state the name and address of each incorporator, and the incorporators sign the articles. An incorporator does not have to be an owner, director, or officer of the corporation (IC 23-1-21-2).
Business Entity Report
After formation the corporation must file a Business Entity Report with the Secretary of State every two years, with a $32 fee online or $50 by paper, due in the anniversary month of formation (IC 23-0.5-2-13). Missing it can lead to administrative dissolution.
No Corporate Franchise Tax
Indiana does not impose a corporate franchise tax on general for-profit corporations. A separate Financial Institutions Tax applies only to banks and similar entities, and general corporations are subject to Indiana corporate income tax instead.
Corporation Versus LLC
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Indiana limited liability company you file articles of organization instead. Corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files with the state.