Washington DC Corporation
Washington DC Corporation
Steps to Form a Washington DC Corporation:
- Choose a Corporate Name: When you incorporate in the District of Columbia, you must choose a corporate name. The name must adhere to the district legal code, and the name cannot already be in use by another company.
- File Articles of Incorporation: To form a corporation in Washington DC, you must file Articles of Incorporation (Form DBU-1) with the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs Corporations Division. There is a minimum filing fee of $220 (total fee is based on amount of authorized capital). Articles of Incorporation can be filed online.
- Appoint a DC Registered Agent: Every business entity in the district is legally required to appoint a DC registered agent. A registered agent maintains a registered office (a physical street location in the District of Columbia, not a PO box) where they accept service on process and other official mail on behalf of clients. Documents are then forwarded to clients in a timely manner.
- Write Corporate Bylaws: Corporate bylaws are the most important document in your company. Bylaws detail specifically who the initial shareholders of your corporation are and what they have contributed to the company. As well, bylaws outline the management structure of the company: directors, officers, duties and responsibilities, voting rights, annual shareholder meeting times and procedures, etc.
- Open Business Accounts: After you incorporate in Washington DC, you will need to open a business bank account. This account will process all the incoming and outgoing funds of your company. Most banks generally require copies of your Articles of Incorporation, bylaws and initial resolution in order to open accounts.
- File Biennial Report: Once you incorporate in the District of Columbia, you are required to file a biennial report. The first report must be filed by April 1 of the year following incorporation. After this first filing, you must file the report every two years. The filing fee is $300. Biennial reports can be filed online.
- Submit Beneficial Ownership Information Report: You must file a BOI report with the federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network after company formation. There is no filing fee, and you can submit the report online (starting January 1, 2024).
| District of Columbia Corporation Facts | |
|---|---|
| The Filing Form | Articles of Incorporation |
| The Filing Fee | $220 (minimum) |
| The Agency | DCRA Corporations Division |
| Our Fee | $404 (includes registered agent service) |
| Online Filing | Yes |
| Biennial Report Due | April 1 |
| Biennial Report Fee | $300 |
How Do I Calculate the Filing Fee for Articles of Incorporation?
When you file Articles of Incorporation the filing fee is based upon the total amount of authorized capital your corporation has at its disposal. The following are the various fees:
|
Authorized Capital |
Filing Fee |
| Up to $100,000 | $220 |
| $100,001 to $500,000 | $550 |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $1,100 |
| $1,000,001 and Above | $1,650 |
What Are the Requirements for Naming a Washington DC Corporation?
The name of your Washington DC corporation must include one of the following: Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited, Corp., Co., Co., or Ltd.
Is There a Late Filing Fee for Biennial Reports?
Yes. There is a $100 late fee for corporations that file after April 1.
District of Columbia Registered Agent
A DC registered agent must:
- Maintain a registered office (physical street address) within the district
- Keep the registered office open during regular business hours year round
- Accept service of process (notice of a lawsuit) and official business mail on behalf of clients
- Contact clients when documents are accepted at the registered office
- Forward all documents to clients in a timely manner
Washington DC Biennial Report and Taxes
After you incorporate in the District of Columbia, you are required to file a biennial report by the following April 1. After that, you must file the report every two years. Biennial reports can be filed online with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Corporations Division. The fee is $300.
There is a corporate tax of 9.975% ($100 minimum) in Washington DC. There is also a 6% sales tax.
Federal Beneficial Ownership Information Report Filing
Starting January 1, 2024, most newly-formed corporations are required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) following company formation. On your report, you’ll need to disclose some basic details about your company and those with the most control over your corporation’s profits and operations. Save yourself from the additional paperwork with our $25 BOI report filing service.