If you own your own company and you’ve decided to go down the path of incorporating it, you should be aware that you don’t have to incorporate in your own state where the business is based. You can in fact incorporate your company in any state within the US, and if your business is large enough, it may well make sense to do so, with the state of Delaware offering a number of distinct advantages.

If your business is relatively small in size, the costs of employing an agent and of incorporating outside of your home state, may remove any advantages of incorporating elsewhere. In general you should stick to your own state if your business is small.

One of the costs you will incur are those of an agent to represent you in the state you choose. If you decide to incorporate in a state outside of your own, your business will be classed as a foreign corporation, and you will therefore be required to use an agent to represent you.

Also, you should consider your geographical trading area. If your business is based solely on your home state, it will probably make most sense to incorporate there. But if you trade across multiple states, incorporation elsewhere may make sense.

So, why incorporate in Delaware? What are the benefits that make Delaware so appealing for companies to incorporate there?

1.Delaware offers favourable tax treatment in the form of low franchise taxes and no state corporate income tax for companies that operate outside of Delaware

2.Delaware has low incorporation fees

3.Delaware courts are very pro-business and support companies incorporated in the state, with much of its corporate law written to protect the rights of shareholders

4.There is no minimum capital requirement when incorporating, and only one incorporator is required

5.The state has no sales tax, personal property tax, or intangible property tax on companies incorporated there

6.A company can keep its books and records outside of the state

Because of all these advantages, over 250,000 companies are incorporated in Delaware. In fact over fifty percent of all companies trading on the New York Stock Exchange are Delaware corporations.

You should seek qualified legal advice before deciding to incorporate outside of your own state, and then decide whether or not you will benefit from the advantages above.

Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware County was started by Rev. J. H. Beauchamp at Asbury Methodist Church. Since 1921, they’ve helped countless people make their lives better. Goodwill Industries works with them to enable them to support themselves through job training and job placement programs. This approach has proven to be very successful amongst those who experience disabilities and often only need a little extra support in order to reach their full potential.

What began with simple job training programs has developed into an organization that helps thousands of people each year. Their vocational programs are top notch and continually improved upon. They have been described as leading the way in terms of training, education and employment opportunities.

Like Goodwill Industries nationwide, Goodwill Industries of Delaware and Delaware County operates in three different ways – Goodwill Stores and Auctions, Goodwill Janitorial Services, and Goodwill Staffing Services. Goodwill employ people from all walks of life in each aspect of the business while helping them learn new skills.

The main aspect of the business – Goodwill Stores and Auctions – is what the organization was founded on at the start of the 20th century. For this to continue to be a successful model, they need your donations more than ever. Whether it’s clothes, furniture, or even a vehicle, public donations are vital to the everyday running of this century old charity.