A C-Corp is the default structure for startups that plan to raise venture capital, issue shares to co-founders and employees, and build something they may one day sell. Extreme Filer incorporates your C-Corp in Delaware or your home state and walks you through stock setup, EIN, banking and yearly compliance — 100% online, from anywhere in the world.
A C corporation is taxed in its own right — for growth-focused startups, that separation is a feature, not a burden.
When you incorporate, your company becomes a separate legal person: it can own assets, sign contracts, open bank accounts and issue shares — and its debts belong to the company, not you, as long as finances stay separate.
The “C” refers to the part of US tax law under which the corporation pays its own tax — unlike an LLC, which passes profits to its owners. In exchange, a C-Corp offers what an LLC cannot do cleanly: unlimited shareholders, different classes of stock, and shares issuable to investors, co-founders and employees the way the startup ecosystem expects.
There is also no ownership restriction: founders need not live in the US, hold a visa or have an SSN. International teams can own 100% — a main reason this structure, not an S-Corp, is the standard route for foreign founders raising money in the US.
A C-Corp is not right for every business — it fits a specific kind of ambition:
Investors fund corporations, not LLCs. If fundraising is on your roadmap — even “maybe next year” — starting as a C-Corp avoids an expensive conversion later.
Shares split ownership clearly, vest founder stock over time, and reserve a pool for employees — every stake recorded in the stock ledger from day one.
Buyers understand corporations. A clean C-Corp with proper records is far easier to diligence and acquire.
Foreign founders can own a US C-Corp outright and raise from US investors. We handle formation, EIN and registered agent remotely.
Honest note: if you are a freelancer, agency or e-commerce seller with no plans to raise money, an LLC is usually simpler and cheaper. We will tell you so on WhatsApp.
Three structures, three different jobs.
| C-Corp | LLC | S-Corp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is taxed | Corporation pays its own tax; shareholders taxed again on dividends (“double taxation”) | Pass-through by default — profits flow to owners | Pass-through, with strict eligibility rules |
| Foreign owners? | Yes — 100% foreign ownership allowed | Yes — 100% foreign ownership allowed | No — shareholders must be US citizens or resident individuals; no foreign or corporate shareholders |
| Raising venture capital | The standard — investors expect it; preferred stock available | Awkward — most VCs will not invest in an LLC | Not suitable — one class of stock only |
| Shares & ownership | Multiple stock classes, unlimited shareholders, employee pools | Membership interests — flexible but informal | One class of stock, limited shareholders |
| Formalities | Higher — bylaws, board, minutes, stock ledger, annual filings | Low — operating agreement, annual report in most states | Higher — formalities plus payroll for owner-employees |
| Best for | Startups raising money, teams issuing shares, build-to-sell founders | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, solo founders | Some US-resident-owned small businesses — not open to non-residents |
About “double taxation”: early-stage startups typically reinvest profits and pay founders salary, not dividends, so its impact is often small early on. It matters more for profitable companies paying regular dividends.
Most venture-backed US startups are Delaware C-Corps — but Delaware is not automatically right for everyone.
You receive a complete, investor-ready company — not just a certificate.
No prices on this page, on purpose: state fees and share structures differ per company, so we quote on WhatsApp once we understand your plans. You approve the quote before filing starts.
Fully remote — no state portals, stock paperwork or IRS forms for you.
Your plans, founders, and whether you will raise investment. We confirm the C-Corp fits — or honestly recommend an LLC — free, before you pay.
We check your name, help pick the state, and set a sensible authorized-share count — room for investors and an employee pool, no franchise-tax surprise.
We file the Certificate of Incorporation, arrange the registered agent, prepare bylaws and resolutions, issue founder shares, and obtain your EIN.
You receive your documents digitally, plus a clear calendar: 83(b) if shares vest, bank account, and your first annual and tax deadlines.
A corporation has more upkeep than an LLC — none of it hard, but missing it is expensive.
Delaware corporations file an annual report and pay franchise tax by March 1 each year. Keep your registered agent active — a company the state cannot reach can lose good standing, which investors and banks notice.
Every C-Corp files a federal corporate return (Form 1120) each year, even with no profit. Clean bookkeeping keeps this routine.
Keep bylaws current, minute major decisions, and record every share issuance or transfer in the stock ledger — the paper trail investors’ lawyers examine.
Delaware franchise tax — the two methods, explained plainly. Delaware calculates franchise tax two ways; you pay the lower. Under the Authorized Shares Method, tax is based on how many shares you authorize — why an enormous number can mean a surprisingly large first bill. Under the Assumed Par Value Capital Method, it comes from issued shares and gross assets — often far lower for an early-stage startup. We help you pick a sensible count before your first March 1.
⚠ The 83(b) deadline cannot be extended. If founder shares vest, an 83(b) election must reach the IRS within 30 days of the share grant — no extensions, no late filing. Missing it can mean tax as shares vest, at much higher values. We flag it the moment shares are issued.
A note on QSBS: shares in some C-Corps can potentially qualify for Qualified Small Business Stock treatment — a possible exclusion on gain when qualifying shares are sold — only if several IRS conditions are met, never automatically. A CPA should confirm your case.
Yes. There is no residency, citizenship, visa or SSN requirement to own C-Corp shares, and foreign founders can own 100% of the corporation — unlike an S-Corp, whose shareholders must be US citizens or resident individuals.
Planning to raise venture capital, issue shares to co-founders and employees, or sell the company one day? A C-Corp is usually right — it is what US investors expect. A lifestyle business with no outside investors is usually better as an LLC. We recommend honestly, before you pay anything.
Delaware has a specialised business court (the Court of Chancery), well-developed corporate law, and paperwork investors already know — why most venture-backed startups incorporate there. If you operate in another state, you may need to register there too; we explain this before filing.
A C-Corp pays corporate tax on its profits, and shareholders can be taxed again on dividends — that is double taxation. Early-stage startups usually reinvest profits and pay founders a salary instead of dividends, so the impact is often small early on. An LLC avoids it through pass-through taxation.
If founder shares vest over time (restricted stock), an 83(b) election lets the IRS tax them at their grant-date value instead of as they vest. It must be filed within 30 days of the grant — no extensions, no late filings. We flag the deadline at formation; a CPA can advise if it fits you.
Delaware offers two methods — the Authorized Shares Method and the Assumed Par Value Capital Method — and lets you pay the lower. A very large authorized-share count can mean a high bill under the first; the second, based on issued shares and gross assets, often works out far lower for startups. We help you choose a sensible structure first.
A Delaware C-Corp files an annual report and pays franchise tax by March 1 each year, and every C-Corp files a federal return (Form 1120) even with no profit. Internally: keep bylaws current, minute meetings, record every share issuance in the stock ledger. Our compliance support covers these deadlines.
Possibly — shares in some C-Corps can qualify for Qualified Small Business Stock treatment, which may allow an exclusion on gain when qualifying shares are sold. But conditions apply — business type, how shares were acquired, a minimum holding period — never automatic. A CPA can confirm your case.
The services C-Corp founders most often need alongside formation.
Not raising investment? Compare the simpler pass-through structure.
Your federal tax ID without an SSN — required for banking and hiring.
A personal IRS tax ID for banking or Stripe/PayPal verification.
Register a UK private limited company with Companies House.
A reliable US street address in your formation state for state notices and legal documents.
Annual report, franchise tax and state deadlines — tracked and filed for you.
Tell us what you are building and whether investment is part of the plan. We confirm the right structure and state, then quote you fully on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp — Get Your QuoteOr email us at sales.extremefiler@gmail.com
