Form a C Corporation Online

A C corporation is a corporation that is generally taxed as a separate entity under the default federal corporate tax rules. It is formed under state law by filing the required incorporation document. The corporation has its own legal existence, ownership is represented by shares, and governance usually involves shareholders, directors, and officers.

If you plan to seek funding from venture capitalists, a C Corp is the standard. VCs prefer the C Corp structure because it allows for different classes of stock and makes ownership and investment easier to manage.

C Corporations can issue preferred stock, which gives investors preferential rights. Combined with a familiar legal framework, this makes C Corporations the go-to choice for high-growth startups seeking outside investment.

Investors will review your Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, board minutes, and stock issuance records. A clean and well-organized corporate structure is essential for a smooth funding process.

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) can allow early investors in certain C Corps to potentially exclude up to 100% of their capital gains from federal taxes when selling their stock, if IRS requirements are met.

A stock option pool is a portion of a company’s shares reserved for issuance to employees, directors, and consultants. It’s a key tool for aligning the team around long-term growth.

C Corporations can create a stock option pool to grant employees the right to buy company stock at a fixed price. This is a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent by giving them a stake in the company’s success.

Common stock is typically held by founders and employees and comes with voting rights. Preferred stock is usually issued to investors and often comes with additional rights, like priority payouts in a sale.

You can create a C Corp online by choosing the formation state and business name, providing the registered agent, incorporator, address, director, and share details requested for the filing, and selecting a service package. Swyft prepares and reviews the state incorporation document before submission. The state decides whether to approve the filing.

Basic has a $0 Swyft Filings service fee plus the state filing fee. The total can also include upgraded-package fees, government expedite fees, optional products, and recurring services. State fees differ, so review the itemized order total and renewal terms before purchase.

The core service includes preparation and submission of the selected state incorporation filing based on the information you provide, plus the review and support listed in the package. Bylaws, resolutions, stock records, registered agent service, and other products are included only when the active package or order expressly says so.

Most filings require a proposed name, formation state, principal address, registered agent information, incorporator information, and stock authorization details. Some states or selected documents may also require director details, a business-purpose statement, or other information.

Yes. A corporation must maintain the registered agent required by its formation state. You may appoint an eligible individual or company under state rules. Swyft registered agent service is a separate product unless your order expressly includes it.

The timeline includes Swyft processing and state review. Swyft processing depends on the package and whether the order is complete. State timing varies by jurisdiction, workload, filing channel, and any government expedite option. A service processing level does not guarantee a state approval date.

A business can generally choose a state of incorporation if it meets that state's requirements, including maintaining a registered agent there. If the corporation operates in another state, it may need foreign qualification and may owe reports, taxes, or fees in more than one state.

It can be. Some small businesses choose a C corporation for stock ownership, fundraising plans, share-class flexibility, or long-term growth. Others prefer an LLC or an eligible S election because of tax or administrative differences. Compare the facts with legal and tax professionals.

A C Corp is a corporation taxed under the default federal corporate rules. S Corp status is a federal tax election available to an eligible corporation or LLC. An LLC is a state-law entity whose federal tax treatment depends on the number of owners and any election. Ownership, governance, tax, and fundraising rules differ.

Keep the approved filing, adopt bylaws, document the initial board action, appoint officers, issue shares as authorized, maintain a stock ledger, open and operate through appropriate business accounts, and review licenses, tax registrations, annual reports, and other compliance duties.