Mississippi Articles of Incorporation
Mississippi articles of incorporation form a corporation by filing Form F0001 with the Secretary of State for $50, setting the name, agent, and shares. Attorney review available.
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Introduction
Mississippi is phasing out its corporate franchise tax, but the way a business comes into being has not changed: a for-profit corporation is created as a separate legal entity by filing its articles of incorporation (Form F0001) online with the Mississippi Secretary of State. Filing brings the corporation into existence so it can own property, sign contracts, and give its owners limited liability for the corporation's debts. Mississippi law requires the articles to set forth the corporation's name, the number of shares it is authorized to issue, the street address of its initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent at that office, and the name and address of each incorporator (Miss. Code 79-4-2.02). The filing fee is $50. After the corporation is formed, Mississippi levies a corporate franchise tax with a $25 minimum; that tax is being phased out and is scheduled for full repeal for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, so confirm the current-year rate with the Department of Revenue. Every Mississippi corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year, and the fee for a domestic for-profit corporation is $25. DocDraft builds your Mississippi articles of incorporation from your facts, with attorney review available before you file.
Key Things to Know
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Mississippi's Form F0001 is the articles of incorporation that create a for-profit business corporation as a separate legal entity, filed online with the Secretary of State.
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You file the articles online with the Mississippi Secretary of State and pay a $50 filing fee. The Secretary of State is the filing office for forming a Mississippi corporation.
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Mississippi requires the articles to set forth the corporation's name, the number of shares it is authorized to issue, the street address of its initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent, and the name and address of each incorporator (Miss. Code 79-4-2.02).
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The articles must name an initial registered agent with a physical street address in Mississippi, not just a post office box, and the corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent in the state to receive legal papers.
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Mississippi levies a corporate franchise tax with a $25 minimum. The franchise tax is being phased out and is scheduled for full repeal for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, so confirm the current-year rate with the Department of Revenue.
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Every Mississippi corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year, and the fee for a domestic for-profit corporation is $25. The report updates the state on the corporation's agent, address, officers, and directors.
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Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form a Mississippi limited liability company you file a certificate of formation 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 Mississippi, 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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Mississippi Requirements for Articles of Incorporation
File Form F0001 With the Secretary of State
A Mississippi for-profit business corporation is formed by filing Articles of Incorporation (Form F0001) online with the Mississippi Secretary of State. The filing fee is $50. The corporation legally exists once the Secretary of State files the articles.
Corporate Name With a Designator
The corporation name in the articles must satisfy Mississippi law, include a word such as Corporation, Incorporated, Company, or Limited, or an abbreviation, and be distinguishable from other entities on file with the Mississippi Secretary of State (Miss. Code 79-4-2.02, 79-4-4.01).
Registered Office and Agent
The articles must set forth the street address of the initial registered office in Mississippi and the name of the initial registered agent at that office. The agent must have a physical Mississippi street address, not just a post office box (Miss. Code 79-4-2.02).
Incorporators
The articles must set forth the name and address of each incorporator. An incorporator signs the articles and does not have to be an owner, director, or officer of the corporation (Miss. Code 79-4-2.02).
Authorized Shares
The articles must state the number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue, and at least one share must be authorized. If more than one class or series is authorized, the articles must prescribe a distinguishing designation and describe the terms of each (Miss. Code 79-4-2.02, 79-4-6.01).
Annual Report Due April 15
Every Mississippi corporation must file an annual report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year, and the fee for a domestic for-profit corporation is $25. The report is filed online and updates the state on the agent, address, officers, and directors.
Franchise Tax Being Phased Out
Mississippi levies a corporate franchise tax with a $25 minimum, collected by the Department of Revenue. The franchise tax is being phased out and is scheduled for full repeal for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2028. Confirm the current-year rate with the Department of Revenue or a tax professional.
Corporation Versus LLC
Articles of incorporation form a corporation. To form a Mississippi limited liability company you file a certificate of formation instead. Corporate bylaws are a separate internal document the corporation keeps rather than files with the state.