Iowa Articles of Incorporation
Iowa articles of incorporation form a corporation by filing with the Secretary of State for $50, setting the name, agent, and shares. Attorney review available.
Find out where you stand in Iowa
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Introduction
Iowa charges a flat $50 to file the Articles of Incorporation - Profit, the same fee whether you use online Fast Track Filing or mail, and paying it is the step that creates the corporation as a separate legal entity with the Iowa 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. Iowa law requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, the registered office and registered agent, and the incorporators (Iowa Code 490.202). The filing fee paid to the Secretary of State is $50, the same for online Fast Track Filing or by mail. The registered agent named in the articles must have a registered office in Iowa and agree to receive legal papers for the corporation. Iowa does not impose a franchise tax on general business corporations; the state franchise tax reaches only financial institutions such as banks and credit unions, and general corporations are instead subject to Iowa corporate income tax. After formation, for-profit corporations must file a biennial report with the Secretary of State every even-numbered year, between January 1 and April 1, with a $60 filing fee (Iowa Code 490.1621). DocDraft builds your Iowa articles of incorporation from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
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Iowa's formation filing is the Articles of Incorporation - Profit, submitted to the Secretary of State for a flat $50 fee, and that filing creates the corporation as a separate legal entity.
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You file the articles with the Iowa Secretary of State and pay a $50 filing fee, the same for online Fast Track Filing or by mail. The Secretary of State is the filing office for forming an Iowa corporation.
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Iowa requires the articles to set forth the corporation name, the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, the registered office and registered agent, and the incorporators (Iowa Code 490.202).
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The registered agent named in the articles must have a registered office in Iowa and agree to accept legal papers for the corporation. The corporation must keep a registered agent on file at all times (Iowa Code 490.501).
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Iowa does not impose a franchise tax on general business corporations. The state franchise tax reaches only financial institutions such as banks and credit unions; general corporations are subject to Iowa corporate income tax instead.
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After formation, for-profit corporations must file a biennial report with the Secretary of State every even-numbered year, between January 1 and April 1, with a $60 filing fee (Iowa Code 490.1621).
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Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Iowa 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 Iowa, 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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Iowa Requirements for Articles of Incorporation
File Articles of Incorporation With the Secretary of State
An Iowa for-profit corporation is formed by filing Articles of Incorporation - Profit with the Iowa Secretary of State. The filing fee is $50, the same online through Fast Track Filing or by mail. The corporation legally exists once the Secretary of State files the articles (Iowa Code 490.202).
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 Iowa Secretary of State (Iowa Code 490.202).
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 (Iowa Code 490.202).
Registered Office and Registered Agent
The articles must state the registered office in Iowa and the name of the registered agent at that office, and the corporation must maintain a registered agent at all times (Iowa Code 490.202, 490.501).
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 (Iowa Code 490.202).
Biennial Report
For-profit corporations must file a biennial report with the Secretary of State every even-numbered year, between January 1 and April 1, with a $60 filing fee (Iowa Code 490.1621). Missing it can lead to administrative dissolution.
No Franchise Tax on General Corporations
Iowa does not impose a franchise tax on general business corporations. The state franchise tax reaches only financial institutions such as banks and credit unions; general corporations are subject to Iowa corporate income tax instead.
Corporation Versus LLC
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form an Iowa 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.