By Fernando Berrocal

Here's all you need to know about forming a corporation in the state in the midwestern region of Ohio, with a population of just over 11.8 million people, is the 7th most populous state and the 10th most densely populated state in the Union. Columbus, the capital, is the 14th most populated city in the country.

Choose a Name for Your Corporation in Ohio

Before you apply to incorporate your business in Ohio, you'll need to come up with a distinctive name for your startup. You cannot use a name that is already in use by another registered corporation in the state. You should search records online and in archives and catalogs to see if the name you want to use for your startup is available at present. You may search an online database of registered corporations in this state at Ohio Corporation.

Although you do not need to reserve a corporate name before submitting Articles of Incorporation in Ohio, you can do so by submitting a name reservation application to the Ohio Secretary of State's office. If you are not planning to file right away and want to save a particular name until you do, reserving a name might be beneficial. Reserve an Ohio Corporation Name has the application form online. A filing fee of $50.00 is required. The startup name you provide will be held in reserve for 180 days.

Even though a corporate name is accessible in Ohio, a business in another state may be utilizing the same name. You might discover that there are certain limitations to how you can utilize the business name you've chosen. Consult an attorney to learn more about these limits and how to proceed with trademarking the startup name you've chosen. Keep in mind that in Ohio, a startup's name must include the words "corporation," "incorporated," "company," or an abbreviation of one of these terms.

In Ohio, look for a Statutory Agent

Before you may seek to incorporate, you must also pick a statutory agent for your startup. The statutory agent you select will serve as your corporation's agent for serving of process and receive all legal and tax papers. As your statutory agent, you can name an adult Ohio resident or a business. Your startup isn't permitted to operate as its statutory agent.

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File Articles of Incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State

When you're ready to incorporate your small business, go to the Ohio Secretary of State and submit Articles of Incorporation. This document's form is available online at Ohio Corporation Set Up. The name of your corporation, the address of your initial Ohio office, the name and address of your statutory agent, the number of shares allowed by your corporation, and the name and address of each incorporator must all be included in the Articles of Incorporation. 

Additional provisions to go along with the minimum standards stated above should be included in your Articles of Incorporation. If you're unsure about which extra clauses to incorporate, talk to an attorney. An attorney can assist you in incorporating any extra-legal elements that are essential and helpful to your business. The Secretary of State, P.O. Box 670, Columbus, OH 43216, shall receive the signed Articles of Incorporation. These cost $125.00 to file the first time.

Other Incorporation Documents in Ohio (Corporate Kits)

You may begin selecting officers and directors, adopting corporation bylaws, issuing stock certificates, getting a tax ID number, and obtaining the proper business license once you have filed Articles of Incorporation to incorporate your startup. You may also begin writing other sorts of corporate documents, such as buy-sell agreements, shareholders agreements determining when stock can be sold, and documentation describing what happens if an owner decides to quit the business. These kinds of business documents are very essential if your startup has several owners. When it comes time to write these documents, consult an attorney to ensure that you are following all legal requirements. 

Qualify Your Ohio Corporation to Do Business in the Other States

You'll discover that your startup has to be qualified to do business in other states. If your corporation's primary office is in another state, you must qualify your startup to conduct business in that state. In your home state, you will very certainly be compelled to pay taxes. More information on how to qualify your startup to do business in other states may be found on the Doing Business in Other States website.

Make Annual Filings and Pay Annual Fees and Taxes in Ohio

Corporations in Ohio are not required to file an annual report. However, you should check with the Secretary of State's office to see whether there are any other periodic filings that your business has to submit.

Your corporation is liable to Ohio state income taxes after it is registered in the state. Every year, you must submit a startup income tax form to the state and pay the appropriate income taxes. The Ohio Department of Taxation's official website: Ohio Corporation Tax has information about the corporate tax in Ohio. To minimize mistakes in the preparation of your tax documents, it's suggested that you use a competent accountant. 

When it comes to forming a startup, there are a lot of options to make. These judgments are frequently difficult to make, especially when a corporation has several owners. When forming your startup, consult an attorney and an accountant to ensure that all of the documentation for your organization is completed appropriately.

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