How much does a Delaware C-Corp cost?
By Corply · Updated
A Delaware C-Corp costs a few hundred dollars to form and at least $50 plus franchise tax and a registered agent every year after. Here is each charge, who sets it, and what Stripe Atlas, Clerky, Firstbase, doola, Every and Corply add on top.
The first year
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware formation filing | $109 | Charged by the state for the certificate of incorporation; Corply passes it through at cost for the standard charter. |
| Registered agent | Usually $50 to $300 a year | Required by Delaware law. Stripe Atlas includes the first year, Firstbase charges $299 a year, and Corply's company plan includes it. |
| 83(b) election filing | $70 per founder with Corply | The election itself is free to file with the IRS; services charge for preparing and mailing it with proof. |
| Formation service | $0 to $500 | What the service charges on top of the state, from free (Every) to $500 (Stripe Atlas). |
| EIN | $0 | The IRS doesn't charge for an EIN. Services include the application in their price. |
Every year after
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware annual report | $50 | Due March 1 for the previous calendar year, even with no revenue. |
| Delaware franchise tax | From $400 | The minimum under the assumed par value capital method. The default authorized shares method shows $85,165 for a typical 10,000,000-share startup, so recalculate before paying. |
| Registered agent renewal | Usually $50 to $300 | Due every year the company exists. |
| Registering where you operate | Varies by state | If you operate outside Delaware you may owe another state's registration and annual fees; Texas charges $750 to register a foreign corporation. |
The franchise tax is the charge that surprises founders. Read how to file the annual report and franchise tax before March 1.
What incorporation services charge
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe Atlas | $500 | Includes the first year of registered agent; $100 a year after that. |
| Clerky | $427 | Post-incorporation setup is $299 more. |
| Firstbase | $398 before state fees | $99 formation plus the required $299-a-year agent. |
| doola | $297 a year plus state fees | Starter includes the EIN and registered agent; built around LLCs. |
| Every | Free | Sells taxes from $1,500 a year and bookkeeping from $330 a month. |
| Corply | $399 for one founder | Delaware's $109, Corply's $220 service fee and the $70 83(b) filing; the company plan is $35 a month or $349 a year. |
Competitor details come from stripe.com/atlas, clerky.com/pricing, firstbase.io/pricing, doola.com/pricing and every.io/pricing, checked . Prices change, so check before you buy. Corply prices come from the same quote our checkout charges.
The lowest formation price isn't always the lowest total. Compare what each service does after formation, such as annual filings, board consents and founder stock, in the best way to incorporate a Delaware C-Corp.
Costs founders forget
- Buying founder shares: usually a few dollars, because founders buy at par value. See how to issue founder shares.
- Registering in the state where you work, if it isn't Delaware. See registering where you operate.
- A bank account, bookkeeping and the federal corporate tax return, which most formation prices exclude.
- Legal advice for anything unusual, such as disputed ownership or a conversion from an LLC.
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Primary sources
FAQ
- How much does it cost to incorporate a Delaware C-Corp?
- Expect a few hundred dollars in the first year. Delaware's formation filing is $109 for a standard startup charter, a registered agent is usually $50 to $300 a year, and formation services charge from nothing to $500 on top. With Corply, the first checkout for one founder is $399 including the 83(b) filing, plus the $35-a-month company plan.
- What does a Delaware C-Corp cost every year?
- At least the $50 annual report fee, the franchise tax (from $400 under the assumed par value capital method) and a registered agent. Add any state where you register to do business, and bookkeeping and tax returns if you pay someone for them.
- Why does Delaware say I owe $85,165 in franchise tax?
- Delaware's default calculation, the authorized shares method, charges by the number of authorized shares, and startups usually authorize 10,000,000. Recalculating with the assumed par value capital method and reporting your gross assets usually brings the bill down to a few hundred dollars.
- Is a Delaware C-Corp more expensive than an LLC?
- Often, a little: the C-Corp pays Delaware franchise tax and files its own corporate tax return. Founders raising venture capital usually accept that cost because investors expect a Delaware C-Corp.
This page is general education, not legal or tax advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Corply is operated by 0Lumen Labs Corp., is not a law firm, and routes questions that need individualized judgment to licensed professionals. Rules and fees change, so verify current requirements with the relevant state, the IRS, or your counsel.