Start a Utah Corporation

Corporations are one of the more complicated business types because they are treated as entities separate from their shareholders. Most corporations fall into the following three categories:

• C corporations. The default form of corporation, C corporations are owned by shareholders who elect a board of directors to oversee operations. They are taxed as a separate legal entity from the shareholders and provide the greatest protection for the owners’ personal assets from the debts and liabilities of the business.
• S corporations. An S corporation is a tax status that a C corporation or limited liability company (LLC) can apply for. In an S corporation, any earnings are split among shareholders and are taxed at that level only, not also separately as a business entity.
• Nonprofit corporations. Nonprofits can apply to be tax-exempt at the federal level (employees are still taxed on their wages). However, this structure requires significantly more paperwork, and the business must comply with strict regulations.

If you’re ready to form your Utah corporation, we’ve created this resource to help you get started today.

To start a Utah corporation, you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. However, there are several other steps to complete before and after this filing.  

To simplify the process of forming a corporation in the state of Utah, we’ve put together the following steps to form your business. We’ll also walk you through the nuances of creating a Utah professional corporation (PC), a specialized corporation organized by licensed professionals like doctors, attorneys, professional engineers, and more.

Step 1: Name your Utah corporation

Before you can complete any paperwork, you need to decide on a business name. This might seem simple on the surface, but there are many factors to consider during the process and regulations to adhere to. And don’t overlook the importance of choosing a name for which you can reserve a matching website domain name that has not been taken. Additionally, you can consider any “doing business as” (Utah DBA) names you may want. 

Business Name Rules and Requirements

Here are some guidelines to help you through the naming process:

• Start by brainstorming a list of potential names. Names on this list should match your business’s purpose, and the more names you have, the better. The next several steps will begin to narrow down your options. 
• The final version of any name you choose must contain the words “Corporation,” “Company,” or “Incorporated,” or the abbreviation “Corp.,” “Co.,” or “Inc.” This is known as a designator.
• Search your prospective business names on the state’s business name search page to eliminate any that are too similar to existing businesses. (Corporate designators, punctuation, conjunctions, and special characters are not sufficient to make a name distinct from another business’s name.)
• Utah corporation names also cannot contain language implying they are organized for a purpose other than what is stated in the Articles of Incorporation.
• The name can’t suggest it’s associated with any government agency or include anything indicating it will be engaged in illegal business.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list based on the above, the next task is to search for available domain names to ensure you can secure a website domain that matches your company name. 

Naming Requirements for a Professional Corporation

If you’re creating a professional corporation, you’ll need to follow a lot of the guidelines above, but there are a few distinctions to address. For starters, you’ll need to use a slightly different designator: instead of “incorporated,” you’re required to use the phrase “professional corporation” or the abbreviation “P.C.”

Upholding any naming requirements enacted by your industry’s regulatory board is also essential. If you aren’t sure what these rules are, please consult with your industry’s governing agency.

Trademarks

Before committing to a business name, check to make sure it isn’t trademarked. You can run your desired name through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark search engine to see if it’s federally trademarked. There are also trademarks limited to the state level. To see if your company name is free of Utah trademarks, call the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code at (801) 530-4849. Utah also has a trademark search engine you can check.

DBAs

If you would like to do business under a name different from your official business name (often called a “doing business as” or DBA name), you will need to file a DBA application and pay the associated filing fee. This can also be done online. A Utah DBA needs to be renewed every three years.

Reserving a Business Name

Once you’ve settled on a company name, you may choose to reserve the name if you’re not ready to register your corporation. You can do this by submitting an Application for Reservation of Business Name with a filing fee. Name reservations are good for 120 days before you need to renew the name reservation or register your business.

Step 2: Appoint directors

The board of directors of a corporation oversees the operations of the business. For your business to get off the ground, a board of directors will need to be appointed. 

Board of Director Rules and Requirements

The board of directors is often named by the initial incorporators — those involved in filing the initial paperwork for forming the business and who may or may not become shareholders. Note that only one incorporator is needed, but in Utah, corporations need a minimum of three directors (with exceptions if they haven’t issued any shares). However, if the corporation only has one or two shareholders, the company only needs a corresponding number of directors.

For professional corporations, all directors need to be licensed in the company’s stated profession.

Incorporators, Directors, and Shareholders

Incorporators may be directors and also shareholders. But the three titles are distinct roles within the company. The incorporators are responsible for starting the business and filing the paperwork; the board of directors oversees the business; and the shareholders finance the business by owning shares in the company.

It’s a good idea to hold a meeting with other incorporators to appoint directors and hold a directors’ meeting to approve corporate bylaws, determine the share structure, and so on before filing the Utah Articles of Incorporation. That way, your business starts on the right foot with plans clearly in place.

Step 3: Choose a Utah registered agent

A registered agent is the point of contact for legal matters related to the business, such as service of process if the corporation is sued. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to receive any legal notices that might be sent to the business.

You’re required to name a registered agent when you file the Articles of Incorporation. In Utah, a registered agent may be an adult individual who legally resides in the state or a business entity, like a Utah registered agent service, with a street address in the state. Commercial registered agents need to be registered with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code.

While Utah allows you to be your own registered agent, this isn’t typically advisable. You don’t want to face embarrassing situations with clients or customers by having legal papers served in your place of business, for example. And, being your own registered agent legally obligates you to be at your place of business during all normal business hours, which is obviously a problem if you have a sick day, go on vacation, or meet up with a client elsewhere. Our registered agent service can take this off your plate.

Step 4: File the Utah Articles of Incorporation

Now that those details have been sorted out, you can file your Articles of Incorporation. This document officially registers and establishes your business with the state. In this document, you will need to include:

• The name of your business
• The purpose for which the corporation is organized
• The number of shares of stock (this is often determined by the board of directors or the incorporators)
• The name and street address of your registered agent
• The name and address of all incorporators
• The principal address of the business
• The names and addresses of the directors and officers
• An indication as to whether it is a female- or minority-owned business

This filing can be completed online through the state’s OneStop Online Business Registration portal or submitted by mail. The address is: 

Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code
P.O. Box 146705
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6705

A filing fee of $54 must be included.

Filing the Articles as a Professional Corporation

If you’re starting a professional corporation, you’ll actually file a slightly different version of the Articles of Incorporation dedicated to professional corporations. This form actually requests a lot of the same information as the form listed above, but you’ll also be asked to provide information about the professional service you’ll offer.

Please ensure you get the proper version of the Articles to help streamline your filing process as much as possible.

Step 5: Create corporate bylaws

The creation of corporate bylaws by the board of directors should happen as soon as possible. The bylaws establish all of the rules and functions of the Utah corporation. While Utah does not explicitly require corporations to have bylaws, without them, your corporation will be subject to the default laws, which might not be consistent with what you want for your business.

What should I include in my Utah corporation’s bylaws?

Your corporate bylaws may include:

• A clear statement of your business purpose
• A list of founders and the rights, responsibilities, and qualifications of each
• A list of the board of directors and the rights, responsibilities, and qualifications of each
• Details of your management structure and the duties of each officer
• The annual meeting scheduling and goals for directors and shareholders
• How shares are distributed and how stocks are sold or transferred
• How changes are made or voted on
• Details of any committees and their responsibilities
• How conflicts of interest are to be handled

For professional corporations, all bylaws need to be compliant with all ethical standards and industry regulations enacted by the profession’s regulatory board. Please check with your licensing agency for any specifics that you need to include.

Since the bylaws are legally binding, it’s a good idea to seek assistance when creating them. However, you can find a customizable template online via ZenBusiness to get yourself started.

Step 6: Draft a shareholder agreement

The shareholder or stockholder agreement is a document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of all shareholders in the company. It may include the following:

• Shareholders and their contact information (addresses, phone numbers, etc.)
• Shareholder responsibilities, including any actions that shareholders are allowed to take on behalf of the business
• Shareholder voting rights, including whether a simple majority or higher percentage may be needed for certain decisions
• How changes to the original shareholder agreement may be made
• How stock can be sold or transferred
• The financial obligation and time commitment for each shareholder
• A clear outline of how dividends are distributed
• A plan for the distribution of assets should the business close

Again, this agreement can be drafted from a template, but you may want to utilize professional assistance. Your shareholder agreement should be kept with your other important corporate records.

Step 7: Issue shares of stock

One of the requirements for forming a Utah corporation is issuing stock. When you filed your Articles of Incorporation, you stated the number of stock shares authorized. The number of shares you issue should always be less than or equal to this number.

It’s a good idea to determine how much capital you need before issuing shares of stock so that you can decide on a reasonable value for each share. Shares of stock may also be issued in exchange for services or other noncash value and capital contributions.

Each share is only issued once. However, after being issued, it can be traded and sold. All issued shares must be documented in the company’s annual report. Although it is not typically required, most corporations issue certificates to shareholders, indicating their shares. 

Public vs. Private Stock in Utah

Stock may be issued publicly or privately. Privately issued stock is usually issued to the founders, employees, or a private group of investors. A public corporation makes a portion of its stock shares available for public purchase.

Companies that issue public stock need to file quarterly statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They must also track how many shares are issued and to whom. You should also check with the Utah Division of Securities for their record requirements.

Issuing Shares as a Professional Corporation

Professional corporations can’t issue shares to the general public. That’s because, according to Utah state law, all shareholders of a professional corporation need to be licensed in the company’s profession. If a shareholder stops being licensed for some reason (such as non-compliance, retirement, etc.), they need to transfer their shares to a qualified professional in a timely fashion.

Any shares that are issued in violation of state statutes are void.

Step 8: Apply for necessary business permits or licenses

In addition to registering your business with the Department of Commerce by filing Articles of Incorporation, you must also obtain a license with the local municipality in which you are doing business. Check with your city or county clerk’s office for exact requirements. 

If you provide services as a professional corporation, you must maintain a professional license with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. You can check to see if one is required on their website. These licenses are usually required for all directors, officers (with limited exceptions), shareholders, and even employees who help offer the company’s professional service.

Check at the local level for any additional Utah permits and licenses required by your city, depending on your business type and activities. You’ll have to do some research to determine all the federal, state, and local licensing your corporation needs.

Step 9: File for an EIN and review tax requirements

Corporations are generally regarded as distinct entities separate from the people who own them. As such, you will need to acquire an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This number acts like the corporation’s Social Security number for tax purposes. 

To apply for an EIN, you need to visit the IRS website and fill out the online form. There’s no charge for this. Afterward, you will receive your EIN. You should keep track of this number, as you will need it for future documentation and filing your business’s tax returns.

Federal and State Corporate Taxes in Utah

Remember that corporations must pay taxes separately from any taxes paid on shareholder earnings. This must be done at the federal and state levels by submitting the appropriate returns each year.

Utah has a combined Corporate Franchise and Income Tax, the instructions for which can be found on the Utah State Tax Commission website. The tax rate for corporations is 4.55%, and the minimum tax is $100 (as of 2024). You can register your business with the Utah State Tax Commission through the OneStop Business Registration Portal.

Step 10: Submit your corporation’s first report

Corporations in Utah must file an Utah annual report. This lets the state know you are still in business and allows you to update any information. If there are no changes, you simply file the form with the required filing fee. For professional corporations, this report will confirm that all of your shareholders are appropriately licensed.

If you need to make changes, you will need to include a Registration Information Change form. There is no additional charge for this form when it is included with the annual report. (At any other time during the year, the change form requires a small fee.)

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Utah?

The exact cost of starting a Utah corporation will vary depending on the size and type of business and where it is located. You will need to pay the fee for filing the Articles of Incorporation at a minimum. Additional fees may include:

• Registered agent service fees
• DBA name fee
• Business name reservation fee
• Fees assessed for amendments or other business filings
• Fees associated with licenses or permits
• Annual report fee

We can help prevent headaches associated with getting your corporation off the ground by assisting with many of the required steps for a low annual fee.

What are the benefits of a corporation in Utah?

Some advantages come with starting a Utah corporation. As a business type, the benefits of a corporation include:

• Protection of personal assets
• Legal recognition as a separate entity in and outside the U.S.
• The ability to issue stock (which can help with funding and capital)
• Does not dissolve if owners leave or pass away

However, you should be aware of the disadvantages. Among these are the tax structure (profits are taxed at both the corporation and personal income tax levels) and the fact that there’s a lot more red tape and paperwork involved than with other structures, such as limited liability companies (LLCs).

How is a Utah corporation taxed?

How your corporation is taxed in Utah depends on whether it is a C corporation, an S corporation, or a nonprofit corporation.

A c corporation filing is treated as a separate entity and must file its own tax returns. Also, all shareholders file tax returns for earnings and dividends. This results in double taxation; however, there are some benefits to this tax structure, including more flexibility in what can be deducted.

An S corporation is viewed as a pass-through business entity exempt from corporate taxes at the federal level. Technically, an S corporation isn’t a business entity, but a tax status. A C corporation or an LLC can apply to the IRS for S corporation status. 

A nonprofit corporation can apply with the IRS to be exempt from paying federal taxes, provided it stays within the rules for nonprofit activity. However, anyone drawing a salary from a nonprofit will be responsible for the usual income taxes on that salary. 

Visit the Utah State Tax Commission website for more information.

If you’re ready to start a Utah corporation today, our experts at ZenBusiness can help make everything easier by using technology and automation to provide you with fast, convenient, and low-cost expert support.

We can help!

Navigating the incorporation process can be daunting, but you’re not alone. While we don’t currently offer start-up services for professional corporations, we can help you with our standard business incorporation service. We’ve also got a variety of other services, all here to guide you every step of the way, helping you form your Utah corporation starting at just $0 plus state fees. Let us simplify the journey for you!