Services divided into two simple paths.
Start with the work you need today. Explore formation and first filings when you are starting a business, or move into compliance, tax elections, records, and company changes when you are maintaining one.
Formation and first filings
Starting a Business
Choose an entity, establish the legal basics, appoint a registered agent, obtain an EIN, and complete the first filings needed to launch.
Explore this pathCompliance, IRS, and company changes
Maintaining a Business
Manage recurring compliance, IRS elections, licenses, certificates, additional-state registrations, amendments, dissolution, reinstatement, and company records.
Explore this pathFormation and first filings
Starting a Business
Choose an entity, establish the legal basics, appoint a registered agent, obtain an EIN, and complete the first filings needed to launch.
Learn Before You File
Plain-language information to help you understand incorporation, business structure, and the decisions that come before filing.
Getting Started
Startup tasks, registered agent support, EINs, name reservations, Delaware setup, and other first-step services.
Start Up Tasks
A practical checklist for moving from a business idea to a properly organized company.
View detailsRegistered Agent Service
Appoint a reliable registered agent to receive official legal and state correspondence for your business.
View detailsEmployer Identification Number (EIN)
Get the IRS-issued federal identifier commonly required for corporations, multi-member LLCs, employers, banking, and tax filings.
View detailsIncorporate in Delaware
Review Delaware formation considerations, entity choices, naming, state filings, and ongoing requirements before deciding where to form.
View detailsName Reservation
Reserve an available business name with the appropriate state before formation when the jurisdiction allows it.
View detailsBusiness Entities
Compare LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, professional entities, partnerships, and other legal structures.
Business Entity Types
Compare common business structures and choose the legal form that fits your ownership, liability, tax, and growth goals.
View detailsLimited Liability Company (LLC)
Learn the major features of an LLC, including flexible management, pass-through taxation in many cases, and liability separation.
View detailsS Corporation
Understand S corporation characteristics, eligibility, pass-through taxation, ownership limits, and ongoing corporate requirements.
View detailsC Corporation
Review the traditional corporation structure, stock ownership, growth potential, formalities, and corporate tax treatment.
View detailsNonprofit Corporation
Organize a nonprofit corporation and understand the separate steps involved in state formation and federal tax-exempt status.
View detailsProfessional Corporation / PLLC
Formation guidance for licensed professionals whose states require or permit professional corporations or professional LLCs.
View detailsSeries LLC
Learn how a Series LLC can separate assets or business lines into distinct series in jurisdictions that authorize the structure.
View detailsLimited Partnership
Review the general-partner and limited-partner structure, management roles, investment potential, and liability considerations.
View detailsCorporation vs. LLC
Compare LLC and corporation ownership, taxation, formalities, investment options, and management flexibility.
View detailsCompliance, IRS, and company changes
Maintaining a Business
Manage recurring compliance, IRS elections, licenses, certificates, additional-state registrations, amendments, dissolution, reinstatement, and company records.
Compliance & Company Records
Annual reports, licenses, certificates, governing documents, company records, and ongoing good-standing support.
Bylaws & Operating Agreements
Create internal governance records describing how a corporation or LLC will be owned, managed, and operated.
View detailsBusiness Licenses
Identify licensing, permit, registration, and tax-account requirements that may apply based on location and industry.
View detailsAnnual Report
Prepare recurring state reports, keep company information current, and preserve evidence of filing and good standing.
View detailsCertificate of Good Standing
Order state evidence showing that an entity has satisfied applicable filing and fee requirements as of a particular date.
View detailsCorporate & LLC Compliance Kits
Organize important company records, ownership certificates, governing documents, and other internal materials in one record set.
View detailsCertified Copies
Obtain state-certified copies of filed formation documents, amendments, and other official business records.
View detailsStock & Membership Certificates
Prepare ownership certificates used to document shares in a corporation or membership interests in an LLC.
View detailsWritten Consents
Document company decisions such as officer, director, member, manager, banking, stock, or ownership changes.
View detailsBusiness Compliance Guide
Understand internal and external compliance responsibilities, deadlines, records, licenses, and the consequences of falling out of good standing.
View detailsFederal Requirements
Review common federal requirements involving EINs, taxes, employment, postings, licenses, records, and industry-specific regulation.
View detailsStaying Compliant
Build an ongoing compliance routine for state, federal, and local obligations after formation.
View detailsIRS & Tax Filings
EIN, S corporation election, LLC tax classification, nonprofit exemption, and educational tax-filing resources.
S Corporation Election (Form 2553)
Prepare an IRS Form 2553 election for an eligible corporation or LLC seeking S corporation tax treatment.
View detailsLLC Tax Status Election (Form 8832)
Review and file an entity-classification election when an eligible LLC chooses a federal tax classification different from its default.
View detailsNonprofit 501(c) Status
Move from nonprofit state formation into the separate federal tax-exemption application process and supporting narrative/financial preparation.
View detailsTax Filings & Deductions
Educational overview of common federal business tax forms, entity tax classifications, recordkeeping, and business deductions.
View details
Other Filings & Changes
DBAs, additional-state registration, amendments, conversions, dissolution, reinstatement, and other company changes.
DBA / Business Name
Register an assumed, fictitious, or trade name when a business operates under a name different from its legal entity name.
View detailsRegister in Additional States
Qualify an existing entity to conduct business in another state and coordinate the supporting records required for foreign registration.
View detailsAmendments
Update state-filed company information when key formation details such as name, purpose, address, or management change.
View detailsEntity Conversion
Change an entity from one legal form to another when state law permits a statutory conversion.
View detailsDissolution
Formally close a corporation or LLC with the state instead of simply stopping operations and leaving filing obligations unresolved.
View detailsReinstatement
Restore an entity that has fallen out of good standing or been administratively dissolved after missed filings or fees.
View detailsMail Forwarding Service
Use a dedicated business-mail forwarding arrangement where available, with clear limits separate from registered-agent service.
View details
Delaware Services
Delaware formation, annual franchise-tax and report support, and state-specific business maintenance.
Not sure where to begin?
Start with your business and state.
Build a quote, review the filing path, or contact Ascend before placing an order.