State Guide
Delaware Business Formation & Tax Guides
Formation, compliance, tax, and service-selection guides for building or running a business in Delaware.
Guides
Best LLC Service in DelawareDelaware stacks a franchise tax on top of state income tax, which makes ongoing compliance heavier than in most states. The best formation service is one tha...Best Registered Agent in DelawareDelaware requires a physical in-state address for registered-agent service. If you live in Delaware and have a stable address, you can serve as your own agen...Business License Requirements in DelawareYes, Delaware requires most businesses operating in the state to obtain a state business license from the **Delaware Division of Revenue**. Unlike some state...Certificate of Good Standing in DelawareThis page is rendered from the checked-in state profile so the filing office, business-search link, foreign-registration requirement, and compliance context ...Delaware Corporation CostsMost startups use the authorized shares method because it produces lower minimum tax. Calculate both methods and pay whichever is lower.Delaware Corporation TaxesDelaware corporations can face both entity-level income tax and separate annual business taxes, depending on whether the company is treated as a C corporatio...How to File a DBA in DelawareA DBA (Doing Business As), also called a fictitious name or assumed name, is a legal registration that allows you to operate a business under a name differen...How to Form a Partnership in DelawareWhile both partnerships and LLCs are pass-through entities, they differ significantly in liability, formation, and cost. Understanding these differences help...How to Incorporate in DelawareYour Certificate of Incorporation is the foundational document that establishes your Delaware corporation. Under 8 Del. C. § 102, you must include specific r...How to Start a Nonprofit in DelawareDelaware's nonprofit framework offers significant advantages for mission-driven organizations. The state provides flexible governance rules, strong privacy p...How to Start an LLC in DelawareDelaware is the dominant jurisdiction for LLC formation in the United States, hosting over 90% of IPO-bound companies and the majority of venture-backed star...Delaware LLC Annual ReportYou'll receive a mailed notice at least 60 days before June 1 each year (6 Del. C. § 18-1107(d)). Pay online through the Division of Corporations' tax portal...Delaware LLC CostDelaware charges a **$110 base filing fee** for your LLC's Certificate of Formation under 6 Del. C. § 18-1107(a)(3). You can add expedited processing at your...Delaware LLC Name RulesDelaware law prohibits certain words in LLC names to protect regulated industries and prevent consumer confusion. Under **6 Del. C. § 18-102**, you **cannot ...Delaware LLC Operating AgreementIf you form a Delaware LLC without a written operating agreement, **§§ 18-301 et seq.** of the Delaware LLC Act supply default rules. Understanding these def...Delaware LLC TaxesDelaware LLC owners usually deal with two layers of tax: the federal default treatment of the LLC and the state's own income, sales, and business-tax rules. ...Professional License Requirements in DelawareProfessional licensing in Delaware is not the same thing as forming an LLC. Before you offer regulated services, verify the right licensing board or statewid...Delaware Registered AgentEvery Delaware LLC must maintain a registered agent and registered office in the state under **6 Del. C. § 18-104(a)**. Your registered agent is the official...How to Reinstate an LLC in DelawareIf your LLC lost good standing or was administratively dissolved in Delaware, the reinstatement path is whatever the state currently requires to clear delinq...Delaware Sales Tax GuideNo. The current profile does not list a general statewide sales tax for Delaware.How to Start a Sole Proprietorship in Delaware**You must register a "doing business as" (DBA) name if you operate under any name other than your legal name.** Delaware requires DBA registration with the ...
Entity Comparisons
Llc vs C Corp in DelawareLlc vs Dba in DelawareLlc vs Limited Partnership in DelawareLlc vs Nonprofit in DelawareLlc vs Partnership in DelawareLlc vs Pllc in DelawareLlc vs S Corp in DelawareLlc vs Sole Proprietorship in DelawareS Corp vs C Corp in DelawareSingle Member Llc vs Multi Member Llc in Delaware