How to Start a Corporation in Connecticut

Step 1: Name Your Connecticut Corporation

Choosing a business name is the first step in starting a corporation.

1. Connecticut naming guidelines:

• Your name must contain one of the following words or abbreviations: corporation, incorporated, company, Societa per Azioni, limited, corp., inc., co., S.p.A., ltd., or words or abbreviations of like import in another language.
• Your name may not contain language stating or implying that the corporation is organized for anything other than its permitted purpose.
• 您指定的名称为您的业务必须说tinctive enough from the Secretary of the State’s records of names that are already registered or reserved.
• You are prohibited from using words or phrases that could cause some confusion between a branch of government (e.g. Treasury) and your corporation.
• Your corporation’s name cannot suggest or imply that it is affiliated with a government or Connecticut-run agency.

Read the Connecticut state statute regardingcorporation naming guidelinesfor more information.

2. Is my corporation name available in Connecticut?

Your Connecticut corporation name must be unique and distinguishable from other business names in Connecticut. Use theConnecticut Business Records Searchtool to determine if your desired business name is available.

3. Is the URL available?

Before registering your Connecticut corporation, you’ll need to check if a good URL is available for your business name. It’s important to secure your URL right away.

Step 2: Choose a Connecticut Registered Agent

You must appoint aConnecticut registered agentwhen registering your corporation with the Secretary of the State.

Aregistered agentis an individual or entity appointed to receiveservice of process, government correspondence, and compliance documents on behalf of a business.

Your registered agent can be an individual, business entity, or professional registered agent service. Any member of the corporation or individual can serve as your Connecticut registered agent as long as the person:

• is 18 years or older
• has a physical address in the state where business activity is conducted
• is available (in person) during normal business hours

Step 3: Hold an Organizational Meeting

Before you officially file the Certificate of Incorporation in Step 4, you will need to hold an organizational meeting to complete the following tasks:

• Fill out and execute theCertificate of Incorporation
• Create and approve bylaws
• Select your initial director(s)
• Determine your share structure
• Execute an Incorporator’s Statement

Create and Approve Corporate Bylaws

Bylaws are the rules that determine how your organization will be governed and run. For detailed instructions on creating your bylaws, read ourcorporate bylawsguide.

Step 4: File the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation

你所愿ll need to file the Connecticut Certificate of Incorporation to set up a corporation in Connecticut. You can file it online, by mail, or in person with the Secretary of the State. The filing cost is$250.

This document will cover the basics of your corporation, including:

• Corporate name and address
• Corporate registered agent name, street address, and signature
• Number of authorized shares the corporation is allowed to issue
• Incorporator(s) name(s) and address(es)

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Connecticut Corporation

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used by the federal government to identify a business entity. It is essentially a Social Security number for the company. An EIN is needed:

• To open a bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees

Connecticut State Corporation Tax Requirements

根据the nature of your business, you may be required to register for one or more forms of state tax:

Connecticut Sales Tax

If you’re selling a product, you’ll typically need to register for aseller's permitthrough the康涅狄格的国务卿website. This allows a business to collectsales tax.

Connecticut Employer Taxes

If you hire employees, you will need to register for Connecticut employer taxes through the ConnecticutDepartment of Revenue Services website. This includes Employee Withholding Tax, Unemployment Insurance Tax, and Disability Insurance.

Connecticut Corporation Licenses and Permits

To operate your corporation in Connecticut, you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

Learn more in ourConnecticut Business Licenseguide.

File the Connecticut Annual Report

You must file the Connecticut Annual Report在线每年的国务卿。你所愿ll need to create an account on Connecticut’sCT.govwebsite to file the report. The filing fee for corporations is150美元.

How to Get a Connecticut Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing, known in Connecticut as aCertificate of Legal Existence, verifies that your Connecticut corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.

To obtain a Certificate of Legal Existence in Connecticut, you must complete therequest form. You can submit this form in person with the Secretary of the State, by mail, or online. You will need to create an account on Connecticut’sBusiness websiteto make an online request.

How to Dissolve a Corporation in Connecticut

If at any point you would like to permanently stop doing business, orcloseyour business, it is important to officiallydissolveyour corporation. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities, penalties, or even legal trouble.

There are five main steps to close your Connecticut corporation:

• Stop doing business
• Hold a board meeting, vote on dissolution, and record the meeting in the corporation minutes
• File the Certificate of Dissolution with the Connecticut Secretary of the State
• Close your federal and state business tax accounts with the IRS and Connecticut Department of Revenue Services
• Close your business bank accounts

File Dissolution Documents

You must dissolve orcloseyour corporation online with the Connecticut Secretary of the State’sCT Business One Stop website. There is no fee for this transaction. You will need an account to log in to the website.