Incorporate in New Hampshire for FREE^*

Incorporation is the process of registering a business as a corporation and making it recognizable under law as its own legal entity. Incorporating a business can be a complicated process because each state has its own requirements for registering and operating a business as a corporation. Knowing the necessary steps and forms, however, will help keep you organized and stress-free. 

With our easy business registration service, you simply answer a few questions and we create your initial paperwork and file it with the state for you. The first business entity registration is free for Rocket Legal+ members—you pay only the state filing fees. Then, you can make and personalize all the legal documents you need for your business. Store everything online in your Rocket Lawyer account.

What is a C-Corp? 

A C-Corp, or C-Corporation, is a common business entity type. More specifically, a C-Corp is a corporation taxed under Subchapter C of the U.S. Code. Under Subchapter C, corporations are subject to tax at both the corporate and individual level (sometimes called “double taxation”). Depending on the situation, this may result in lower or higher tax burdens for the shareholders. 

C-Corps allow for anyone to be an investor and for an unlimited number of shareholders and multiple share classes.

As with other types of corporations, C-Corporations provide a common and well-known legal structure for businesses and offer their shareholders some limited liability. Except for certain instances of fraud or misconduct, a shareholder is not liable for the debts or obligations of a corporation beyond the shareholder's investment into the corporation.

Corporations are treated as a C-Corp by default, unless another type of tax treatment is selected, such as an S-Corp.

What is an S-Corp? 

Like C-Corps, S-Corps provide a common and well-known legal structure for businesses and offer their shareholders some limited liability. However, S-Corps have two main differences from C-Corps: they are taxed differently and they have more restrictions with shares.

An S-Corporation, or S-Corp, is an IRS election that allows a company to be treated like an LLC for income tax purposes, that is, as a “pass-through" entity. Instead of income taxes being owed at both the company and individual level, the income of an S-Corp is only taxed at the individual level, which means it passes through the company directly to the owners and shareholders. Again, this may result in lower or higher tax burdens for the shareholders depending on the situation.

S-Corps have more restrictions regarding shares and shareholders than C-Corps. Specifically, S-Corps can have no more than 100 shareholders, only one class of shares, and only U.S. residents or citizens as investors.

One area of common confusion is what type of entity can elect S-Corp status. Remember that this election is simply a tax choice, not a governance or legal structure choice. Both limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations can choose S-Corp status if they qualify under the IRS's guidelines.

There are similarities between a New Hampshire S-Corp and a C-Corp regarding personal liability, management, structure, and compliance. The differences in New Hampshire, however, come down to the following:

• Ownership Rules: A C-Corp is taxed as a separate entity from its shareholders. Shareholders must also report and may pay taxes on income the corporation pays them. An S-Corp is taxed like a partnership with a "pass-through" tax structure. It's not doubly taxed because the corporation can pass income, losses, deductions, and credits to its shareholders. Corporate owners pay taxes on their share of the corporation's profits, and they're taxed at their individual tax rates. To qualify as an S-Corp, you must be a domestic Corporation, provide only one class of shares, have no more than 100 shareholders, and your shareholders can include only individuals, certain trusts, and estates.
• Documents: If you want to form an S-Corp, you must file IRS Form 2553 to elect this status.

Your corporation’s name should be unique and make a statement about your business. Make sure it complies with the following New Hampshire requirements:

• Your chosen name must be distinguishable from that of any other registered business in New Hampshire. It must end with "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Limited," or an abbreviation of one of these terms, such as "Ltd.," "Inc." or "Corp."
• Your name can't be deceptive. If you're selling boats, don't name your corporation "Mel's Granite."
• Ensure that your name is distinguishable from that of any other existing business name.

Need help coming up with a business name for your corporation? Try the Rocket Copilot™ AI Business Name Generator, a free tool to help you brainstorm business names and get started registering your corporation.

Each state has its own personnel requirements for incorporating. In New Hampshire, only one director is required but you may elect more if needed. There is no requirement that the names and addresses of your directors must be listed in your Articles of Incorporation.

There is no age requirement and there is no requirement that directors must live in New Hampshire.

Your corporation must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent is a person or business that receives important tax, government, and legal documents for your corporation, including service of process for lawsuits. Your agent must be available during normal business hours. New Hampshire requires that you include the name of your registered agent in your Articles of Incorporation. Your agent must have a physical address in New Hampshire, and your corporation cannot act as its own registered agent. We can help you designate your registered agent when you incorporate with us.

You must also include the following in your Articles of Incorporation in New Hampshire:

• The number of shares your corporation is authorized to issue.
• The par value of the shares.
• The name and address of each incorporator.

New Hampshire requires that corporations file an annual report with the New Hampshire Department of State. It's due by April 1 of each year.

Before incorporating, your incorporator must sign a Statement of Compliance with New Hampshire Securities Law. The state offers some exemptions, but your corporation must meet the following requirements:

• Your corporation can have no more than nine owners.
• Your corporation can't circulate written advertising in an attempt to sell ownership interests.
• All sales of ownership interests must be completed within 60 days of incorporating.

Nearly every state has standard processing times, but not all provide expedited processing for corporations. In New Hampshire, there are a few fees that you may be charged when you register your business as a corporation. They include the following:

State fee: $102.

Rocket Lawyer filing fee: $0 $99.99.

• First filing FREE* for Rocket Legal+ members (excluding state fees).
• Get additional filings HALF OFF with Rocket Legal+.

Processing time: 2-3 weeks.

Note: The above state fees and processing times (including expedited processing fees and times) are provided as a summary and may or may not encompass various fees mandated by your state or local authorities. Your state may also change these fees and processing times over time and without notice. If you have questions, speak to a Rocket Lawyer Business Pro to understand the costs and processing times that apply to your specific filing.

Businesses can save up to $2,500 per year with a Rocket Legal+^™ membership. This calculation is based on total savings on an initial business registration and registered agent, trademark, and business tax filing services for Rocket Legal+ members (a total cost of $924.97) compared to Rocket Legal members (a total cost of $1,949.96). This is in addition to savings on the average cost of 5 hours for document preparation by a non-Rocket Lawyer network attorney at the average attorney hourly rate in the U.S. of $300 (an estimated cost of $1,500 when purchased without any form of Rocket Lawyer membership) compared to unlimited use of customizable business documents for both Rocket Legal+ and Rocket Legal members at no extra cost.

Yes – you will have to pay taxes for your new corporation. Before you open your doors for business, apply to the IRS for an employer identification number, or EIN. All corporations with employees must have an EIN. An EIN is similar to your Social Security number, but it's for businesses. You'll also need one to open your corporate bank account.

Many business owners choose an S-Corp because S-Corps are generally exempt from federal corporate income tax, and there is no double taxation. A C-Corp offers more flexibility because you can have several classes of shareholders with different voting rights. However, there are tax implications involved with choosing this status.

New Hampshire requires that corporations create records to maintain their corporate status. These include Bylaws and Corporate Minutes. Bylaws set forth your company's operating rules. They also define the responsibilities of your directors, the rights and powers of your shareholders, and all other corporate matters. You don't have to file your corporation's Bylaws with the state, but you'll need them to show banks, lending institutions, creditors, the IRS, and the courts that your corporation is valid and legitimate. They also help to establish rules so you can keep your corporate assets and debts separate from your personal ones.

New Hampshire also requires that you keep Minutes of your director and shareholder meetings. Minutes keep track of all votes on important business decisions and help secure your corporate status. You must also keep your most recent annual report, a list of the names and addresses of your corporation's directors, your Articles of Incorporation along with any amendments, and your bylaws at your corporate office.

We have more detailed information about New Hampshire's requirements for Bylaws and Corporate Meeting Minutes.

We wish you success with your new New Hampshire corporation! You can count on Rocket Lawyer for all the business, tax, and legal help you need at a price you can afford. 

If you are planning to operate in another state, you may need to register a corporation in that state. Rocket Lawyer can help you determine which states you should register in.

Other states may have their own rules for foreign corporations that originate in New Hampshire or domestic corporations that also operate in New Hampshire. Talk to an attorney to understand the legal and tax requirements for the state(s) in which you plan to operate.