What do I need to do in order to incorporate myself?

Question

I am a freelancer, and it's time that I incorporated myself. What do I need to do? Where do I get the forms (I'm in New York City)? Anything else I need?

Answer 1

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Inc. Yourself: How to Profit By Setting Up Your Own Corporation, Completely Revised 9th Edition by Judith H. Mcquown
* Incorporating Your Business for Dummies by The Company Corporation
* Ultimate Guide to Incorporating in Any State by Michael Spadaccini
* Corporations Step-by-Step (Legal-Ease Series) by David, M.B.A., J.D., CPA Minars

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

I have been in a similar situation & enjoy the chance to help. I haev 2 corporations.
1 - Decide on the legal structure of your corporation, i.e.. whether you want a C-Corp or an S-Corp, or LLC etc.
2 - Whether you have concerns or preferences, i.e. do you want to incorporate in a state that has no state taxes. If so, I used Laughlin Associates - their start-up paperwork was very good. Later, I did not need this because the corporation was already in business, then I found another company - EastBiz.com & they have very good services, i.e. mail forwarding at very reasonable prices. Here is a link to their site http://www.eastbiz.com/
2a - If you want to incporporate here in NY, there are many options. Laughlin Associates provides very good start-up paperwork. Be aware that some companies charge cheap prices, but their paperwork is not very professional, i.e. grammar errors. I had mistakenly used a Sother CA company & when I got the paperwork I was disappointed.
3 - Explore if you can preserve your "time in business", i.e. keep your checking account that you have as a free-lancer (this needs to be a business checking account I think. Then AFTER you incorporate, give the bank your Articles of Incorporation & have them change the account over to your new corporation.
I live in upstate NY & love it. I think that here, you had to have obtained a DBA certificate, so that should help transition your company into the corporate standing. If you plan to hire employees, keep this link to get help with workers comp issues, http://www.50StatesWorkCompReview.com
Good luck.

Answer 3

Get a good attorney who understands incorporation. Also make sure you do a trademark search so you don't accidentally inc under a name someone already has. You should also talk to a good accountant to decide which type or corp is best fro you. LLC, S corp, etc. Look into making your corp domicile in Nevada. They have the best laws for corps and you only have to be able to receive mail there. IE get a PO box no matter what state you actually are in. Good luck.

Answer 4

There is a law firm on John Street that specializes in simple incorp. Can't remember the name right now.
He has an ad in the Village Voice every week.

Answer 5

you can formalize yourself as an corporation in two forms. LLC or S-Corp. This all depends on what kind of laibility you want to hold for your business risks.

For details on difference between LLC and S Corp. please google on "opening new business". My best bet is LLC, as we three friends recently opened a LLC in California.

Answer 6

to be incorporated, you have to apply with your secretary of state. and i think you have to renew it every so often as well. go to sba.gov on the internet...they will tell you tons of info on running a business, including links to your own state to get licenses and things. good luck!