Incorporate your business in West Virginia;
Our Incorporation information is to help you with the small
business startup process. The West Virginia Incorporation info can
help answer questions like "How do I form an LLC in West Virginia?"
or "What type of Incorporation entity should I be? An West Virginia
S-Corporation or an West Virginia C-Corporation?" or "What are the
requirements for an West Virginia Corporation?" It's easy to set up
an West Virginia Corporation with our Incorporation Software. It has
this and other Incorporation info right on the software. So
once you know, your ready to go!
Corporate Name Endings
The name must contain the word "Company,"
"Corporation," "Incorporated," "Limited," or a form thereof.
The name must not be the same as or deceptively similar to a
name already in use by another existing corporation or foreign
corporation qualified to do business in West Virginia, without
written consent of the other corporation, or by a court order
establishing the right of the applicant to use the name. The
name must not imply a purpose other than that stated in the
articles of incorporation. The words "Engineer" or "Engineering"
cannot be used unless the corporate purpose is professional
engineering, and one or more of the incorporators is a registered
professional engineer.
Corporation Requirements
Director Information
Minimum Number - One or more.
Residence Requirements - No provision.
Age Requirements - None.
Directors are required to be listed in the articles
of incorporation.
Officer Information
Officers are not required to be listed in the articles
of incorporation.
Stock Information
An increase in shares may cause an increase in the
initial filing fees.
Corporate Records
The stock transfer ledger must be kept at the principal
corporate office.
Tax and Fees
Annual Statements
A business registration certificate must be filed
every two years. The filing fee is $30.
Income Tax Rate
The tax rate is 9.0% of taxable income.
Corporate Franchise Tax
The tax rate is 9.0% of taxable incomeThe Corporate
License Tax is due based upon capital stock. The franchise
tax rate is the greater of: (a) $50 or (b) .7% of the
value of the corporation's capital for domestic corporations.
No par stock is valued at $25 per share unless it was
originally issued for a greater consideration. The Corporate
License Tax for foreign corporations ranges from $250
to $4,375 based upon capital stock values.
S Corporation
S Corporation status is recognized by the State of
West Virginia provided the S Corporation files an Informational
Return. A separate state election from the federal election
is not required; however, S Corporations are subject
to the business franchise tax.
License Requirements
West Virginia requires most businesses to obtain
a license and pay a fee if operating in the state. Please
check with the state to make sure your business is complying
with the license requirements for your particular profession.
