Delaware corporation cost
Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Delaware, from Delaware Division of Corporations.
Formation plus recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.
Delaware corporation cost at a glance
Forming a corporation in Delaware costs at least $109 in state filing fees. After that, Delaware charges a report fee of $50 a year plus at least $175 a year in state tax or license fees. Over five years the state's own charges come to at least $1,234, the 47th lowest of the 51 states with full corporation figures here (the median is $285). Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.
Line by line
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee Varies with authorized stock; $109 is the base for a 1-page certificate, plus $9 per added page. | $109 minimum | corpfiles.delaware.gov |
| Annual or biennial report fee | $50 | corp.delaware.gov |
| Annual state tax or minimum franchise tax Minimum under the Authorized Shares Method; rises with authorized shares (Assumed Par Value Capital Method minimum is $400) | $175 minimum | corp.delaware.gov |
| Foreign registration (another state's corporation) | $245 | corpfiles.delaware.gov |
| Annual report fee for a registered foreign entity Due June 30 each year; a $250 penalty is added when the report and fee are late. | $250 | corp.delaware.gov |
What to know
- Deadline Delaware corporation taxes and annual reports must be received no later than March 1 of each year. source
- Penalty Delaware assesses a $200 penalty for failing to file the annual franchise tax report by March 1. source
How to form a corporation in Delaware
- Check the name. Search the Delaware Division of Corporations business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
- File the articles of incorporation. The Delaware Division of Corporations charges at least $109 to form a corporation.
- Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Delaware. You can serve as your own.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
- Stay in good standing. Delaware charges a report fee of $50 a year plus at least $175 a year in state tax or license fees. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.
Other business types in Delaware
An LLC costs $110 to start, then $400 a year in state tax or license fees. A nonprofit corporation costs $384 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $25 a year. Compare them in the calculator.
Registering an out-of-state corporation in Delaware
A corporation formed in another state registers in Delaware as a foreign corporation. The Delaware Division of Corporations charges $245 for the registration. After that, a foreign corporation files an annual report with Delaware for $250 (Due June 30 each year; a $250 penalty is added when the report and fee are late).
Common questions
How much does it cost to start a corporation in Delaware?
The state filing fee is at least $109, and Delaware then charges a report fee of $50 a year plus at least $175 a year in state tax or license fees.
What does a corporation in Delaware cost over five years?
at least $1,234 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.
How much does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Delaware?
$245, paid to the Delaware Division of Corporations.
Compare with nearby states in cost
- District of Columbia $999 over 5 years
- Connecticut $1,000 over 5 years
- Maryland $1,620 over 5 years
- Rhode Island at least $2,480 over 5 years
Guides
- Delaware LLC annual tax: $400 a year
- Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs
- How to start a business: the steps and what each costs
- New York LLC publication requirement: six weeks, two newspapers, $50
- Registering an LLC in another state: steps and every state's fee
- LLC annual fees by state, ranked
What you'll need to start a corporation in Delaware
- 1
File your Articles of Incorporation
$109 minimumThe document that creates your corporation with the state of Delaware.
Do it yourself
File with Delaware Division of Corporations. You pay only the state fee.
Have it done
- Tailor Brands$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), processing in 14 business days. Registered agent $199/yr; EIN $99; Essential $199/yr and Elite $249/yr plans add faster filing and compliance
- ZenBusiness$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name check. Registered agent $99 first year, then $199/yr; EIN +$99
- Zenind$0 + state feestate filing, name check, filing within 7 days. Registered agent and address +$99/yr; bylaws and certificates $99 unless on Standard or Premium
- Registered Agents Inc$100 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), online account. Registered agent $200/yr after year 1
- LegalZoomfrom $149 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name search, tax consultation. Registered agent optional, price not stated on page
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 2
Name a registered agent
$0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a yearA person or company with a street address in Delaware who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.
Do it yourself
Be your own agent if you have a street address in Delaware.
Have it done
- ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
- Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
- Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 3
Get an EIN (tax ID)
FreeThe federal number banks and the IRS use for your corporation.
Do it yourself
Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".
- 4
File the annual report
$50 a year plus $175 minimum a year taxThe recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing. Delaware corporation taxes and annual reports must be received no later than March 1 of each year. source
Do it yourself
- 5
Open a business bank account
$0 a monthKeeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.
Options
- Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
- Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
- Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 6
Optional: elect S corporation status
Filed with the IRSThe IRS describes Form 2553 this way: a corporation or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation files it to make an election under section 1362(a) to be an S corporation.
Do it yourself