Set the stage to raise capital, attract investors, and unlock growth opportunities with a Indiana C corp. Starts at $0 plus IN state fees.
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Starts at $0 + IN state fee and only takes 5-10 minutes
Are you ready to launch a new company in Indiana? Maybe you have a great idea or have already been working hard to start a new business. Whatever your situation, if you’re trying to form a corporation in the Hoosier State, you may be feeling overwhelmed about the business formation process.
The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you think to start a corporation in Indiana. By following the right steps, you can complete the corporation startup process quickly and painlessly. The best part is that you don’t have to do it alone. Many businesses utilize professional services like ZenBusiness, who can provide guidance and streamline the filing process.
We’ll take you through each step of the corporation formation process in Indiana and offer advice on when to turn to a professional.
To officially form a corporation in Indiana, you’ll be required to file your Articles of Incorporation with the state government. This will allow the state to recognize your corporation officially. But you have more steps to complete before and after.
Follow the below 10 steps to form your new corporation in the Hoosier State:
Selecting a name may be the most enjoyable part of the corporation formation process. Deciding on the right name can also be tough, though, so we recommend taking any ideas you have and putting them on a list. Take time to consider which names work best for your brand. It’s also important when complying with state law to ensure no words in your name are derogatory or offensive. Be sure to have at least three options before moving to the next step.
You’ll need to add an official corporation designator to the end of your company name. This designator allows the Indiana government to quickly understand what type of business entity you are. Acceptable designators include: “Corporation,” “Limited,” “Company,” “Incorporated,” or any abbreviations of these four words. For instance, if you’ve chosen the name “Freedom Enterprises,” you’ll add a designator to make your official name “Freedom Enterprises, Inc.” or “Freedom Enterprises Company.”
Meanwhile, if you’re going to be starting a professional corporation — a corporation organized specifically for professional services like law, medicine, or something else — you’ll use slightly different designators. Acceptable designators include “professional corporation” or “professional service corporation.” You can also use their abbreviations.
When you’re ready, it’s time to make sure the names on your list are unique and not taken by another Indiana corporation. To do this, you’ll run a quick business name search online through the Indiana Secretary of State website. Run each name through the search to determine if it’s available. If more than one name is available, decide on the best fit for your company (you can even ask shareholders to vote on this step).
Now that you have your name, you have the option to reserve it to ensure no other company registers it before you. You can reserve your name online through the Secretary of State’s INBiz portal or via mail (you’ll still need an online account to gain access to the name reservation form). There’s a filing fee for your name reservation, which holds your name for up to 120 days.
If filing via mail, send your form to:
Office of the Indiana Secretary of StateBusiness Services Division302 W. Washington StreetRoom E018Indianapolis, IN 46204
If your corporation intends to conduct business under any name other than your official name (even if it’s an abbreviated form of your official name), you’ll want to secure a “doing business as” (DBA) name. In Indiana, this is called an “assumed name.” You can file for an assumed name online or via mail by filing a Certificate of Assumed Business Name (listed under Registered Assumed Business Name). There is a filing fee for this.
Do an online search to make sure your desired business name isn’t trademarked on the state or federal level. If it’s not, and you want to pursue your own trademark for your business name, you can do so at the state and/or federal levels. For federal registration, you’ll need to go to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) website and follow instructions. For a state-level trademark, you can register one online via the Indiana Business Portal. There is a small filing fee, and this will secure your trademark for five years. It’s often easier and quicker to file at the state level, but you’ll receive broader protection by registering a trademark federally, which is useful if you plan on doing business outside of Indiana
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All Indiana corporations must appoint at least one director for their company. Your corporation may have more than one director or an entire board of directors. Directors uphold the corporation’s bylaws and are required to serve to protect the corporation’s interests. Indiana does not have specific requirements regarding who can serve as a director.
You’ll also want to appoint an incorporator to fill out and sign the Articles of Incorporation. The incorporator can also be a director but does not have to be.
Note that in Indiana, a corporation with fewer than 50 shareholders isn’t required to have a board of directors. Meanwhile, a professional corporation’s directors must be licensed in the business’s profession.
Like in every state, you’re required to choose a registered agent for your corporation in Indiana. Your company’s registered agent will serve on your behalf, acting as a third party to receive legal notices and important documents from the Secretary of State for your company.
In Indiana, your registered agent must be over 18 years old, reside or conduct business in the state, and have an Indiana operating address that matches your corporation’s registered address. This address must be an Indiana street address, not a P.O. box. Your agent should also be available during normal working hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at their operating office.
Some companies might choose to elect a registered agent from within the corporation (choosing a director or shareholder), which is perfectly legal. However, you should consider some of the serious drawbacks of this before selecting a registered agent from within your company.
They include:
Next, you’re ready to submit your Indiana Articles of Incorporation. This form will officially register you with the state as a legally recognized corporation. You’ll need to file this form before you can start operating. You can find the Articles of Incorporation form on the Indiana Secretary of State website. You can file this form online via INBiz or by postal mail.
To submit this form, you’ll need to provide the below information
Professional corporations file the same form; there’s just an additional section to complete. In the section labeled “For Professional Corporations Only,” you’ll be asked to provide the name, address, profession, and license number for at least one of your shareholders. You can provide more than one, but at least one is required.
You’ll need to pay a $97 fee when filing, which can be paid online or sent via mail. If mailing your form, send it to:
Your corporation’s bylaws will detail your basic managerial structure, legal requirements, and operating parameters. In Indiana, you’re required to have a copy of your bylaws available at your primary business operating address, but this document does not have to be filed with the state.
To set up your bylaws, you should hold an initial meeting with leadership (incorporators, shareholders, etc.) where bylaws are established and agreed upon. This document normally provides direction on:
Now, it’s time to create an official shareholder agreement, which is a contract formed between the company and its shareholders. This agreement will detail all of the responsibilities and regulations that shareholders must adhere to. Unlike your bylaws, this agreement is private and only accessible by shareholders.
It’s important to ensure your shareholder agreement aligns with your Articles of Incorporation and company bylaws. It may go into more detail than your bylaws on topics like stock, financial responsibilities, and voting structures.
Each shareholder should agree to and sign this document.
Once your agreements are in place, you’re ready to begin issuing stock for your corporation. All Indiana corporations are required to issue shares of stock. When you filed your Articles of Incorporation, the number of shares was listed, so make sure when issuing stock shares that the amount issued does not exceed the number you filed.
When you’re ready to issue stock, you’ll have to have a certain amount of capital or funding. This is essential to get your corporation formed. Once you know how much capital you’ll need to start your business, you can divide this amount among your company’s available number of shares.
Your corporation’s stock can be issued privately or publicly, but it can only be issued once and must be noted on your biennial reporting. If kept private, stock shares are usually dispersed among incorporators, shareholders, and directors. If open to the public, anyone on the marketplace can purchase shares of your corporation.
When opening your stock shares to the public marketplace, you’ll be required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to file quarterly statements. These reports will help the federal government better track your shares, offering them insight into when stock shares are being issued and who is purchasing them. This form can be found on the SEC website.
Indiana has stricter requirements for a professional corporation’s shareholders. Under state law, every shareholder must be licensed in the corporation’s industry. Other entities, such as trusts, corporations, or partnerships, that want to share ownership also need to be qualified appropriately.
If any of the shareholders pass away, sell their shares, or lose their qualification, their shares must be transferred to another qualified person or entity.
Now, you’ll want to secure any licenses or permits you may need to operate. While many states require a general business license for corporations, Indiana does not have a statewide general business license requirement. However, some counties and cities require a general business license to operate, so you’ll need to check with your local government.
Your line of business might also require you to apply for special licenses or permits. You can find state requirements on the Indiana Business Owner’s Guide webpage under Specific Licensing and Permitting Issues.
Unfortunately, there’s no one source to check to ensure your corporation has every federal, state, local, and industry-specific license it needs. You’ll have to conduct some thorough research or hire a service to do it for you.
One of the final steps you’ll take to set up your corporation is applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online. An EIN works similarly to an individual’s Social Security number, allowing your business to open financial accounts, apply for financing, hire employees, and pay taxes.
To apply for an EIN, you’ll visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) online. The application is free. You can find the online form here. After filing, you’ll receive your EIN, which will be ready to use.
To adhere to Indiana regulations, your corporation will need to file a biennial report. This report is due every two years during the month your business was formed. For instance, if you formed your corporation on March 1, 2024, you’ll be required to turn in your first biennial form in March of 2026. This report is also referred to as a Business Entity Report.
You can file this report online through your INBiz account or via mail. You’ll find this report and instructions on the Secretary of State’s Business Forms webpage, listed under Business Entity Reports. There is a $50 filing fee.
The upfront administrative costs to set up a corporation in Indiana vary depending on a variety of factors. However, the baseline cost for forming your Indiana corporation is $97 (for your Articles of Incorporation).
Keep in mind that this does not include any additional expenses, like licenses or permits or the $50 biennial reporting fee.
However, you can prevent any headaches by teaming up with a professional business service like ZenBusiness. We can connect you with a registered agent, assist you with initial setup files and forms, and help you remain compliant with state laws.
When starting a business, there are various company types you might want to consider. Many who choose to form a corporation do so because of the personal protections and ability to increase revenue that this business type offers.
Here’s a quick look at some of the main benefits of forming a corporation:
Here are a few disadvantages of forming a corporation to consider:
When you register as a corporation in Indiana, you’re automatically registered as a C corporation. However, there are other corporation types you can choose, including S corporations and nonprofit corporations.
C corporations are taxed at both the corporate level and the individual level. If you’re a shareholder, this means that in addition to paying corporate taxes, you’ll also be responsible for reporting your earnings and paying taxes on them on your individual tax return.
S corporations are considered pass-through entities, which means they do not pay corporate taxes. Instead, the earnings “pass through” to incorporators and shareholders, who are responsible for paying taxes on them via personal tax returns.
The other option to consider is a nonprofit corporation. While this business type requires you to adhere to nonprofit rules and guidelines, it also allows you to apply to be exempt from paying corporate taxes. Employees of the company will still pay taxes on their salaries.
If your corporation collects sales tax, you’ll also be required to set up a sales tax account online with the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Starting a business is a potentially stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be a process that you navigate alone; ZenBusiness can help. While we don’t currently offer formation services for Indiana professional corporations, we can help you form a standard corporation. We’ve also got other services like registered agent services, compliance help, and more. Let us help you with the red tape so you can focus on what you love: growing your business.
Does running a corporation in Indiana involve more paperwork than running other types of businesses?
Corporations typically have more reporting requirements than other company types, such as limited liability companies (LLCs), and more paperwork. Some examples include shareholder meetings, quarterly stock reports, and initial setup documents, such as the shareholder agreement and company bylaws.
What is the difference between an LLC and a corporation in Indiana?
LLCs and corporations are taxed and run differently in Indiana. An LLC is seen in Indiana as a pass-through entity, which exempts them from double taxation. LLCs typically have a more flexible business structure.
Find out more about the differences between forming an LLC and a corporation.
How do I change my corporation’s name in Indiana?
You can change your corporation’s name in Indiana by filing an amendment to your Articles of Incorporation. If you’re only going to be selling under a different name, you can register for an assumed business name.
How many people are needed to form a corporation in Indiana?
You’ll need an incorporator, one director, and a registered agent to form your Indiana corporation. These can all be the same person.
Can I form my Indiana corporation online?
You can form your corporation online through the Indiana INBiz portal. This guide walks you through all the steps to follow.
How do I dissolve my Indiana corporation?
You can dissolve your Indiana corporation by filing your Articles of Dissolution online or through the mail.
Do I need a lawyer to form an Indiana professional corporation?
No, you don’t need a lawyer to form an Indiana PC, but it can be helpful.
Does Indiana have other professional entity types?
Other professional entities available in Indiana include: Sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and nonprofit corporations. Indiana doesn’t allow for professional limited liability companies (PLLCs).
Can professionals from different fields form an Indiana professional corporation together?
Every member involved in the initial formation of a PC must have a professional license in their field. Professionals may form a PC to deliver related or similar services.
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– Mark Cuban on Starting a Business*
Entrepreneur and Shark Tank host lays out 3 steps to follow when starting a business
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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