Introduction – About Nevada

The state of Nevada enjoys a strong economy and is home to 254,337 small businesses. The Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state was $146.22 billion in 2018 and the economy grew at an annual rate of 3.3%. The city of Las Vegas is one of the most popular business locations in the state and is home to 55,856 companies. Why start a business in Nevada? There are several reasons why Nevada is a favorite among entrepreneurs and start-ups and this includes the various advantages the state offers.

Advantages of Incorporation in Nevada

The first question you would probably be faced with is – why start a business in Nevada? Nevada, like any other state in the U.S has its own advantages and disadvantages but there are several benefits that support overall business growth. Let’s look at some of the advantages:

Nevada Tax Benefits

State and Federal Taxes are applicable to startup Nevada businesses as well as existing businesses. What makes the state of Nevada different is the variety of tax benefits that new and existing businesses can derive. The benefits can be classified as under:

• Pro-Business Tax Structure: The state of Nevada has been attracting new businesses and one of the catalysts is the pro-business tax structure. It has experimented with different business policies to ensure entrepreneurs and start-ups face minimal hiccups in forming and conducting their business. It is almost a “No tax” state and a start-up Nevada business can benefit from the following:
• No Personal Income Tax
• No Corporate Income Tax
• No Inventory Tax
• No Estate Tax or Gift Tax
• No Unitary tax
• No Franchise Tax
• No Special Intangiable Tax
• No Inheritance Tax
• Tax Abatement Programs: If you have a “why start a business in Nevada” list then the tax abatement programs offered by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) should be on the list. Tax abatements are applicable on different aspects and expenses of a business like capital equipment purchases and real or personal property. Tax abatement programs help you bring down the overall operating costs of your business leading to savings. Some of the top programs include:

Privacy and Anonymity

One of the finer aspects of the why start a business in Nevada list is the amount of privacy and anonymity that a start-up can enjoy. The best way to enjoy privacy is by hiring a reliable Nevada registered agent as they will ensure the business is able to avoid embarrassing situations especially in front of their clients. This is possible as an agent will receive any notices from the office of the Secretary of State as well as meet any state department officials like sheriffs on your behalf. As a result, a business in Nevada will also be able to maintain anonymity. Thus it is one of the greatest benefits of the privacy protection as it helps towards protecting business owners from creditors and litigation.

Limited Liability and Statutory Protection

Why start a business in Nevada? There are several benefits and the pro-business law of Nevada makes it easier for businesses to form and operate in the state. A highly attractive state for new businesses, the state provides excellent limited liability protection and asset protection options to business owners.

No IRS Information Sharing

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is a federal agency and it has an Information Sharing Agreement (ISA) with almost 33 states but Nevada is definitely not one of them. This is one of the salient aspects of the why start a business in Nevada list and benefits. It is important to understand though that the sole purpose of the Information Sharing Agreement (ISA) is to fight abusive tax avoidance.

Stock Flexibility

One of the advantages that a Nevada business corporation has over other forms of businesses is the stock flexibility. This refers to the fact that corporate obligations towards real estate or services can be easily handled through the issuance of stock and the value of such stock can be determined by the director.

Fast and Super Easy Incorporation Process – How IncParadise helps

If you have decided to register a Nevada business corporation then IncParadise makes the registration an easy process. In the state of Nevada, a business corporation can be formed by one or more persons and it is legally recognized under the 2010 Nevada Code-Chapter 78 Private Corporations.

• Assist with the process of business name reservation
• Assist with the filing of the articles of incorporation
• Provide online assistance regarding any information pertaining to formation of a Nevada Business Corporation
• Assist with the application process for a Nevada certificate of good standing for an additional fee
• We can file the Nevada Initial List and apply for a Business License on your behalf
• We can help you obtain an EIN (Tax ID) from IRS on your behalf at an additional fee
• We will provide you with file stamped copy of Articles
• We also provide company bylaws and ready to fill Stock Certificates

Enjoy Tax Advantages in Nevada for your Business!

Cost of Doing Business in Nevada

The state of Nevada is considered as one of the most competitive markets for new businesses. If you want to know why you should start a business in Nevada then the answer lies in one of the factors that make this state so attractive. That factor is low overall cost of setting up a business. Apart from the zero inventory tax, Nevada boasts of a strong transportation infrastructure and a favorable geographic location.

• Low licensing fee, annual fee, startup fee, and regulatory fee
• The state has an abundance of highly economical commercial and industrial real estates
• The utility rates for business or commercial operations are highly competitive and there are several incentive programs that provide rebates for electric utility customers like the Solar Energy Systems Incentive Program (SESIP).
• A Nevada business will benefit from lower shipping and storage costs due to the state’s proximity to California or west coast markets.
• Entrepreneurs and businesses can take advantage of the foreign trade zones (FTZs) in Reno and Las Vegas as such zones provide logistical benefits, duty reduction and elimination on specific goods and projects.
• The state provides really competitive air cargo costs that will benefit those businesses that require shipping by air.
• A Nevada business can benefit from the fact that the state doesn’t have any personal income tax, corporate income tax, unitary tax, and franchise tax.
• The state and county provide start-ups the opportunity to save costs and grow by utilizing a variety of Nevada business incentives.

Nevada Government Support for Businesses

The Nevada economy and markets have been changing and evolving constantly while providing positive outcomes. Due to the low cost of doing business, the number of start-ups being formed in the state have increased. Businesses are flourishing thus creation of new Nevada businesses or industrial hubs like the City of North Las Vegas are also experiencing rapid economic development. Amidst all this, the support structure provided by the Nevada State to small businesses are playing a key role.

• Procurement Assistance & Outreach (POP): Selling the products or promoting specialized services offered by a start-up Nevada business to the government can be quite an overwhelming process. Hence, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) implemented the Procurement Outreach Program (POP) with cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide assistance to small businesses in their efforts in contracting federal, state and local government projects.
• Financial Resources: If you are checking your why start a business in Nevada list or how is Nevada different, then financial support is definitely a driver of businesses in this state. The support is being offered by Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) through accessibility to various financial resources. Some of the popular financial resources include Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRBs), the Silver State Opportunities Fund (SSOF), the Nevada Microenterprise Initiative (NMI), State Small Business Credit Initiative, Nevada Catalyst Fund, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.
• Nevada Opportunity Zones (OZ): Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development is responsible for implementing the Opportunity Zone program for new and existing Nevada business. The program is a type of tax incentive that has been designed to encourage long-term investments especially in low-income communities. There are specific areas that have been designated as opportunity zones and you will need to form your business in such a zone to derive benefit.

Nevada DBA – Doing Business As

A Nevada doing business as (DBA) name is also known as an “assumed name”, “trade name” or “fictitious business name”. A business entity can assume any number of DBAs as there is no defined limit in the business laws. It is also important to note that unless you file for a DBA, you will not be able to conduct your business in any other name.

What is a DBA?

In order to understand Nevada doing business as (DBA), we need to understand what type of businesses requires DBA registration. A Nevada business would require a DBA registration if they want to transact business with any other name except for their registered name. In other words, every new or existing business has a “true name” also known as the legal name.

When you need a DBA?

If you are planning to register a new business in Nevada or have a business in any other state but are planning to start in Nevada using a different name then you will need to file for a Nevada doing business as (DBA).

• New Name: The foremost reason for adopting a Nevada doing business as (DBA) name is if the owners don’t want to conduct business under their personal name. This is true for partnerships and proprietorships. If you are planning to register an LLC or business corporation then also the reason would be the same, which is not to use the legal name or registered name of the company.
• Privacy: If you or your business requires privacy then you can opt for a fictitious business name in Nevada. In Nevada, once you register your business name or personal name for business purposes, it will automatically go on public record.
• Distinctive Name: There are times when a business may register a name and realize that the name has no connection with the business. For Example: If you have a Plant Nursery and you have registered it as Joe Fish (owner name) or Green Leaf LLC then you can file for a Nevada doing business as (DBA) as Potting Plants. The name would provide a clear insight at what the business offers or its activities.
• Bank Requirements: A bank may require an entity to register a DBA to facilitate the opening of a business account. This is true in cases of sole proprietorships and general partnerships. You may be required to show the bank copy of documents for a fictitious business name in Nevada filing or even assumed name certificates as proof.
• Expansion: If your existing business is expanding into another area that is completely different from the current business activity then filing a Nevada doing business as (DBA) name will definitely be a distinct advantage.

Do you want assistance with DBA in Nevada?

How to choose a fictitious business name

There are specific laws in place when it comes to adopting a fictitious business name in Nevada. It is important to note that there are some limitations applicable to adoption of certain fictitious names pursuant to NV Rev Stat § 602.017 (2017). In order to choose the correct DBA for your Nevada business entity, you need to consider the following:

• A person or individual cannot adopt any Nevada doing business as (DBA) name that has “Corporation,” “Incorporated”, “Corp.,” “Limited Liability Company”, “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in its title unless they own a business corporation or Limited-Liability Company.
• You can brainstorm concepts or ideas pertaining to a DBA in the same way that you would choose a standard business name.
• You need to ensure that the chosen fictitious business name in Nevada is distinguishable from any other name that exists in the records of the County Clerk. You can conduct your search with the county where you are planning to operate your business from. For example: If you are planning to form a business in Clark County then you can search for a DBA in their Records Search System.

How to file a Nevada DBA

It is important to know that in Nevada, a DBA is not filed at the state level and instead you will have to file it with the County Clerk’s office. The filing requirements as well as fictitious business name in Nevada requirements may vary from one county to another.

Nevada DBA Forms

If you plan to establish your Nevada business in Clark County you can file the DBA directly or We at IncParadise can assist you with the filing to save time. The fee for the Nevada doing business as (DBA) filing with the Clark County Clerk’s Office would include the following:

• NV Clark County DBA filing – $75
• USPS Shipping of Certificate – Free
• USPS Express Mail Shipping of Certificate – $30.50
• USPS Express International Shipping of Certificate – $74.25

How IncParadise can help you with Nevada DBA

IncParadise is one of the most reputable registered agent in Nevada and we can assist you with the process of business formation as well as Nevada doing business as registration. We provide DBA filings in Clark County, Nevada and this ensures you are able to use your fictitious name for conducting business in cities like Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and Laughlin.

Why is Nevada a great place to start a small business?

A report was published by CNN-Money that Nevada is among the top 5 states for starting a business. This is primarily due to the fact that there are no capital gains, income, corporate capital gains, and corporate income tax in the Silver State. It also has the lowest property taxes in the nation and this is quite an advantage for a small business in Nevada.

• Diverse Industries: Nevada is home to several big organizations from a variety of industries. The silver state provides a unique combination of low population density, natural resources, strong transportation infrastructure, and opens spaces, so that a start-up or small business in Nevada can derive maximum benefit.
• Emerging Opportunities: There is a rise in emerging and exciting opportunities in different industries that will be able to accommodate almost any small business idea in Nevada. These opportunities are being created due to the increasing focus on innovation and use of technology.
• Programs and Incentives: One of the salient benefits of starting a small business in Nevada is the several programs and incentives offered by the state. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is responsible for offering a variety of incentives to small businesses right from tax abatement to employee hiring incentives.

Top 8 small business ideas in Nevada

Nevada is home to a variety of small businesses and medium enterprises (SME’s) including Caesars Entertainment, Switch, Las Vegas Sands, Allegiant, Johnson Electric, American Retail Group Inc., Sierra Pacific Power Company, GES Global, AMERCO, Sierra Nevada Corporation, MGM Resorts International, and Skagen Designs among others. The innovation and technology enabled environment in the state helps small business ideas in Nevada grow. Let’s take a look at what type of start-up would do well in the state.

1. Bed and Breakfast

One of the top industries in the Silver State is tourism. If you start a small business in Nevada as a bed and breakfast establishment then it will help you align your business in the industry while ensuring tourism related accommodation requirements are fulfilled. If you already own a commercial or residential space in the state then this type of small business will be easier to start.

2. Social Media Consultant

In the age of the internet, every new business has to carve its niche in the market. The use of social media is one of the key elements of marketing and branding strategies. Hence, it is definitely an industry specialization that a small business in Nevada or start-up can focus their investment on.

3. Toy Making and Gifts Industry

An integral part of the Nevada Manufacturing Industry, toy making, has witnessed a positive growth since the state became a hotspot for tourism. In fact, Las Vegas hosted the first of its kind – ToyFest West 2019 and thus brought the toy and gift industry into the mainstream industries. Toys and gifts are currently being considered as one of the trending small business ideas in Nevada.

4. Consumer Technology

This is a highly new and innovative area that is raising some storms with the “smart-tech for homes” invasion. The truth is that consumer technology is one of the leading futuristic small business ideas in Nevada and the Silver State is just the place to transform your start-up dream to reality. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) organized CES 2019 in Las Vegas and this was the world’s largest tech show. You can even showcase your innovation in CES!

5. Meal Prep Service

Thanks to technology and increased awareness for nutritious and wholesome meals, the meal prep service is becoming one of the fastest growing businesses in Nevada. This area of food catering or food preparation is just perfect for a small business in Nevada. The investment required will vary according to the offering, which can be a senior citizen diet meal to high protein meals.

6. Jewelry Making

This is quite a niche area when it comes to small business ideas in Nevada. There are two different aspects of jewelry making to consider and that involves the type of jewelry that you plan to sell, will you be selling it online or through a store, the targeted audience etc. One of the interesting innovations is the introduction of lab-created or lab-grown diamonds and it is fast re-shaping the jewelry industry.

7. Apparel and Fashion

Clothes and fashion walk hand-in-hand as they complement each other. Clothes determine the fashion trends and fashion provides the necessary branding platform for clothes. There are plenty of choices for a small business in Nevada in the apparel and fashion industry. You can choose to be a retailer for a big brand or get creative with designing and manufacturing your own style of fashionable apparel. A 2010 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the average expenditure of consumers was $1,700 annually on apparel, footwear, and other related products.

8. Luxury Furniture Business

Furniture businesses have existed since time immemorial but this is the age of innovation, minimalistic design, and conveniently luxurious furniture. You can launch your small business in Nevada in the luxury furniture industry as there is a rising popularity in multi-functional luxury furniture. This type of furniture is attracting smaller households that require maximize utilization of furniture while minimizing use of space.

How marketing plays a role in growing your Nevada business?

A small business in Nevada or a start-up needs to target both short-term gains and long-term growth and the best way to do so is by implementing a sound marketing strategy. It is important to understand first what marketing really is and what roles it will play towards the growth of your business enterprise.

• Creates a brand: One of the most important roles of marketing is to create a brand! Your Nevada business and its product or services are an essential part of the process of branding. It creates high visibility for your company by telling customers what to expect from products and services offered by you. It also highlights how your products or services are different from that of your competitors.
• Clear decision making: A small business in Nevada has to start by setting goals and creating strategic marketing plans so that it can achieve growth in local, national or international markets. A strategic marketing plan enables businesses to make clear decisions by considering various opportunities and threats that a start-up may face from their external environment.
• Strengthens Growth Strategies: An important aspect of marketing is the formulation of Nevada business growth strategies. These strategies focus primarily on a product – market matrix that presents opportunities, threats, resource requirements, returns and risks.
• Customer Connect: Marketing is essential towards driving growth for start-ups and an integral part is creating a “strong bond or connection with the prospective customer”. Marketing provides a Nevada business with a path defining the different ways through which it can identify what the customer needs and how the company can fulfill it.
• Creates strong digital presence: In the age of the internet; marketing helps in strengthening the digital presence of a small business in Nevada.

Top 10 marketing strategies you can try for your Nevada Business

As an entrepreneur, you are probably wondering how to create a marketing strategy perfect for your start-up business in Nevada. It is never an easy path when it comes to starting a business and growing it. It all starts with an idea but how do you bring the idea to life? You will have to ensure there is enough visibility of your products or services. This can be quite a cumbersome process and hence, we have listed some of the top marketing strategies that will provide the much needed boost to your start-up business in Nevada.

1. Name Branding

A business is known by the name. A name defines the business logo and they should be such that higher retention value gets created, like it is at Apple, Nike, or Linux. The name and logo of these companies define the brand. A start-up business in Nevada needs to ensure their name and logo are in sync and provide an insight into the type of business it is. Some of the options for developing a name are:

• Use the founder’s name like HP (Hewlett-Packard)
• You can describe what the business does like Delta Airlines, FedEx
• You can describe an experience or image like Disney, Sprint
• You can describe the type of product like Jaguar, Land Rover
• You can use a non-traditional or innovative word like Nike, Amazon
• You can create your own word like Google

2. Official Website

This is a must have for every small business especially in the digital age. A website is the face of the company and at the same time it acts as the branding vehicle. If you are an e-commerce company like Amazon, a shopping cart and product listing within the website can lead to high sales. A website can be brief with the basic informative pages related to the start-up Nevada business or it can be an in-depth website with articles and blog posts linked to products and services. There are several tools that you can use to create your website and these includes:

• WordPress
• Constant Contact
• SiteBuilder
• BigCommerce
• Shopify
• Weebly
• Squarespace
• Wix

3. Run A/B Testing

A/B testing is a fairly new concept that you can try out for your start-up business in Nevada. It refers to two variations of a single website design or content or copy, which is tried with random customers. Here is an example to understand this well: you can design two different landing pages of the same website and upload them. The pages will be randomly served to different visitors to the site. The type, demography, age and other related information of the visitors to each of the landing page will be tracked to check which page performs better. This is how A/B testing will help you determine if changes or additions are required to bring about the necessary improvement in conversions.

4. Digital Marketing Strategy

An important part of the overall marketing strategy of any Nevada business is defining a digital marketing strategy and tools to be used. A sound digital marketing strategy can help start-ups to thrive in the competitive landscape. Some of the tactics that will definitely keep your business one step ahead include:

• Optimize your website or blogs for mobile platform
• Increase your organic engagement rate on social media platforms
• Create and share engaging webinars with strong marketing and informative content on start-up Nevada business
• Work out ways to connect and interact with your target audience in real-time
• Create a targeted email list for sharing products, services, and discounts

5. Create Visibility on social media

Social media is the most powerful platform for small businesses and start-ups. It may come across as highly intimidating at first but the first step will help a small business in Nevada to gain the required momentum. It is a platform appropriate for implementing both branding and marketing strategies. As start-ups can create visibility and target their prospective customers by making posts on future products or services as well as post existing product photographs. Some of the top social media platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, and SocialDrift among others.

6. Start Blogging

One of the most effective ways of engaging your audience is by starting a blog. It is considered to be a content marketing tool that a small business in Nevada can use to amplify their message directly to the customer. A blog will let you provide information pertaining to your company, history, ideas, introduction to and salient benefits of product or services, how the customer would benefit, business events, summer sales, pictorials, and much more. The more informative your blog is; the higher will be the customer engagement. You can choose to start with a free blog or you can book a domain name and start a blog with the business name. You can also use specific blog marketing tools to maximize impact like Buffer and Tweriod.

7. Content Marketing

One of the top marketing strategies for businesses in Nevada is content marketing. Content is and will always be the king and it is needed to build trust. When a prospective customer reads the content on social media sites or your blog, they should be able to make the decision of buying the product or service. Call to action is an integral part of content marketing for small businesses in Nevada. In order to make content marketing, a success you need to focus on 3 key areas and they are:

• Content production: This is the first and most creative aspect of content marketing. If you have identified your target base and the market then you need to create content that is search engine friendly (SEO), informative, and engaging.
• Content Syndication: Once content has been created, it needs to undergo syndication. It has significant SEO benefits for a small business in Nevada like generation of backlinks and enhancement of domain authority (DA). Some of the content syndication platforms include Inbound, Medium, and Slideshare.
• Content Sharing: The final step is to enable the content created by you to be shared by the customers. The shareability factor of any content depends on how engaging and useful it is to the prospective customer.

8. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

Search engine marketing is considered as one of the most effective ways of attracting prospective customers and generating revenue, especially for a small business in Nevada. SEM as it is commonly known will help your business grow in a highly demanding and competitive marketplace. Some of the important elements that every small business should work with include:

• Paid search marketing
• Logical keyword grouping for higher click-through rates
• AdWords and Bing Ads accounts for start-up Nevada business
• Search Engine Marketing Ad Auction
• Maintaining high Google AdWords’ Quality Score
• Use high-end web analytic tools

9. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process by which a start-up business in Nevada can increase the quality as well as quantity of website traffic. This in-turn helps in increasing overall brand visibility leading to higher footfalls and revenue generation. If you implement SEO as a part of your marketing strategy, then it will work through several vehicles like image search, academic search, specific product related search, video search, and news search among others. It is a proven method that helps generate a good return on investment. Some of the tools you can use include:

• Google Search Console for a start-up Nevada business
• Keyword research tools like SEMrush
• Email marketing and project management tools like BuzzStream
• Link building tools like Linkody
• Tools for analyzing website performance like HubSpot’s Website Grader

10. Affiliate Marketing

The final element in your marketing strategy should definitely be affiliate marketing as it is still one of the most effective tools for generating sales. A small business in Nevada can incorporate an affiliate program through which business rewards can be given to one or more affiliates for each new customer they bring in using their own marketing or sales strategies.

Entrepreneur’s guide to form a business in Delaware

There are several aspects of a new business that every entrepreneur needs to take into account so that they can register a business in Delaware. When you start a business, it entails understanding as well as dealing with several issues connected with the operational aspect of the business like legal, financial and intellectual property protection, sales and marketing, employees, and liability protection among others. This is not all; an entrepreneur also needs to identify the different requirements for making their business operational like Delaware business name search for forming a Delaware entity.

This is an entrepreneur’s guide that entails the various aspects and requirements that will not only help you to start a business in Delaware but also make it operational. This guide will be helpful to all small business owners and first time entrepreneurs as it provides relevant information concerning a new business right from the advantages of starting a business in Delaware to preparing a business plan, choosing a business structure, hiring a Delaware registered agent, and obtaining a tax ID among others.

Why do startups prefer to register businesses in Delaware?

Delaware situated in the southern region of the US has a strong economy driven by Agriculture, Fisheries, Manufacturing, Tourism, Finance, and Mining among others. The Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Delaware was $63.28 billion in 2019 and represents 0.36% of the nation’s GDP. The economy along with infrastructure, a positive business environment, and a wide variety of small business incentives has driven entrepreneurs to start a business in Delaware. There are several advantages of registering a new business in this state and some of them are:

• Delaware Court of Chancery: One of the factors for making the startup environment in Delaware good is the existence of the Delaware Court of Chancery. This is a special non-jury trial court that hears and helps resolve corporate disputes. The disputes are decided under the Delaware law, which is considered to be extremely business friendly.
• Flexibility: As an entrepreneur if you are planning to register a business in Delaware then there are several forms of entities to choose from. The important thing is that as a state, Delaware offers flexibility for structuring your business entity, especially a corporation. The corporate statutes of this state are considered to be extremely flexible, for example, directors, shareholders, and officers of a business corporation are not required to reside in Delaware to start a business or apply for a Delaware business license.
• Privacy: Whether you register a business in Delaware as an LLC or a business corporation, the state offers privacy. Although, depending on the type of business, you may be required to maintain the record of a contact person for your entity, which is normally a Delaware registered agent. At the same time, it is also true that certain businesses like corporations are not required to disclose the names of officers or directors in new business registration or incorporation documents thus providing a stronger layer of privacy.
• Tax Haven: The startup environment in Delaware is considered one of the best and this is more so because of the tax climate for businesses. Some of the salient aspects of this tax climate include:
  • Delaware doesn’t have any tax royalty payments Stock shares will not be taxed in Delaware if business owners reside outside the state
  • Favorable taxation is enjoyed by businesses that have issued large amounts of authorized stock shares or have a complex capitalization structure.
  • Non-residents or business owners who don’t reside in the state will not be required to pay any personal income tax

The potential business advantage the state of Delaware offers not only attracts entrepreneurs to start a business in Delaware but also American publicly traded companies. The fact is that almost two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies as well as technology startups have been formed in Delaware.

Steps to start a business in Delaware

Delaware nicknamed as “the Diamond State” is considered to have one of the most business-friendly corporate laws. This is one of the primary reasons why entrepreneurs prefer to start a business in Delaware. Today, the state is home to some of the largest companies in the nation including DuPont, AstraZeneca, Citicorp Banking Corporation, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Swissport Holdings, Inc., Navient, Delphi Financial Group, Inc., and Barclays Bank Delaware among others. If you are planning to hire a Delaware registered agent and register your business in the state then the following steps would help you identify all your business requirements and ensure sustainability and success.

1. Prepare Delaware Business Plan

Whether you are a first time entrepreneur or an experienced business owner planning to register a business in Delaware; you will find a business plan to be the foremost tool towards helping you with good decision making. A strong business plan will take into account several aspects of the business thus providing increased clarity on various areas of the business operation including business formation costs and Delaware business license, marketing strategies, finance and funding options, product or service detail, identifying competition, hiring employees, and future expansion. Some of the areas that a strong business plan will focus on are:

• Committing resources towards capital improvements like investing in computers, software, logistics, buying or leasing of commercial space etc.
• Creating a sound marketing strategy that will take into account your existing competition, the product or services offered the existing market conditions, and the target audience.
• Seeking investments or securing funding using the marketing plan and future expansion plans
• Retaining professional services or hiring the right talent based on the specific requirements of your business, for example: if you register a business in Delaware as a retail store, you will need to hire a sales associate, cashier, customer service representative, visual merchandiser, store manager, and inventory control specialist.
• Providing cost estimates related to pre-opening and post-opening startup costs. This will take into account several areas like employee hiring, marketing and advertising, market research expenses, registration of a business, Delaware business license and annual maintenance costs, equity financing and debt financing, cost towards buying equipment, payroll, and insurance tax.
• Providing a proper structure and management objectives that will focus on operational milestones as well as sales targets. It will include both short-term and long-term milestones based on the revenue or business model.

2. Attend Entrepreneurial Training or Development Programs in Delaware

You have an idea and wish to unveil it on a global platform thus turning it into a successful business venture but, you don’t know how to implement it. What are your options? In such a scenario, identifying and attending Entrepreneurial Training or Development Programs in Delaware can help provide meaningful guidance and open up different avenues for you to launch your new business idea. The importance of Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDP) lies in the advantage it offers especially to individuals with no prior business experience. Some of the benefits you will derive from such programs include:

• Promoting development as well as polishing of your business skills
• Helping in acquiring knowledge and skills critical towards establishing a new business
• Engaging in Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDP) that focus on structural training, which is essential for transforming an individual into a successful entrepreneur
• Attending EDP programs before you start a business in Delaware as it provides meaningful guidance in several areas of business operation like product marketing, information on identifying state funding opportunities, guidance towards accessing facility centers as well as services and other infrastructure
• This type of program also plays a key socio-economic role through proper identification of your entrepreneurial qualities and helps you to channel enterprise resources

Where can you attend or enroll for Entrepreneurial Training or Development Programs in Delaware? The Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers a wide range of options including small business training programs, webinars and events for small businesses, and workshops to enable you to start a business in Delaware.

3. Choose Business Structure for Delaware Business

In order to start a business in Delaware, you will need to first choose a proper business structure. There are several different business structures that you can choose from in Delaware and they are:
Corporation

• Limited Liability Company
• Sole Proprietorship
• General Partnership
• Limited Partnership
• Limited Liability Partnership
• Joint Venture
• Delaware Statutory Trust

The decision related to the business structure is an important decision as it will have an impact on the amount of taxes you will have to pay. The structure you choose will also define the risk factor related to the personal assets and the personal liability you may face. Hence, it is important to choose a business structure that will offer a balance of tax benefits and legal protection. You can register a business in Delaware after choosing any of the above structures although the most commonly chosen structures according to the Delaware division of corporations are corporations and limited-liability companies because of the multiple benefits they offer.

4. Naming Your Delaware Business

One of the important areas to focus on before you register a business in Delaware is identifying a business name and then reserving it in the State. There are name specifications that you have to be aware of e.g., if you are planning to register an LLC then the name should contain words like “Limited Liability Company” or abbreviations like “L.L.C.”, pursuant to 2 DE Code § 18-103 (2014 through 146th Gen Ass). Once you have identified a name, you need to conduct a Delaware business name search forming a Delaware entity to ensure it is available. You can conduct a business name search using the Division of Corporations resources or website. Simultaneously, you will need to ensure that your chosen name is distinguishable from any other name on the database.

The Delaware division of corporations handles all name reservation applications and you can reserve, re-reserve, transfer a name or cancel an existing name reservation as well. You can reserve a name for a period of 120 days in order to start a business in Delaware.

5. Choose Your Location for Delaware Business

One of the key factors towards successfully operating a small business is choosing the right business location. When you start a business in Delaware, certain key elements of your business will be location dependent like availability of commercial space, business resources, transportation and logistics, business environment, foot traffic or targeted audience, cost, and accessibility. The startup environment in Delaware is positive and vibrant and there are three main counties where you can set up your new business. The counties are:

• Kent County
• New Castle County
• Sussex County

It is important to know that each of the above counties have their own County Laws & Codes, which will define the requirements of each and every business based out of that county including Delaware business license requirements.

6. Register Your Business with Delaware Division of Corporations

The most important aspect of starting a new business is its formation. If Delaware is your chosen state then you will have to go through the registration process. Different states have different laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to new business formation. So, how do you register a business in Delaware?

Once you have chosen your business structure, the next step is to download the form for incorporation or new business formation. This form has to be filled, signed, and submitted along with a cover memo and the applicable fee. The fee for Domestic Corporation is $109. The form has to be submitted to the Delaware division of corporations through mail or electronically using their Document Upload Service.

Alternatively, a top Delaware registered agent like IncParadise can help you with the process of registration or incorporation. We have the experience and expertise in Delaware new business formation and have knowledge of various processes and requirements that will help you to register a business in Delaware.

7. Get Your EIN

EIN is fully known as the Employer Identification Number and is a Federal Tax Identification Number that is assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you start a business in Delaware then you will be required by the IRS to apply for and obtain this unique nine-digit number as it is used for reporting employment taxes. It is also important to note that all businesses don’t require an EIN. If you want to know whether your business requires an EIN or not or if you want to apply for one then as one of the most reputable Delaware registered agents, we can provide the necessary information and guide you through the EIN application process.

8. Open a Business Bank Account for Delaware Business

Banking is an important aspect of any startup or entrepreneurship business. The fundamental benefit of banking is to secure your expenses and if you start a business in Delaware then you will need to keep your personal and business expenses separate. This is where opening a business bank account comes into play. Once you open a business bank account, you will not only get business credit cards but it will also help you to build a strong company credit profile. The paperwork for opening a business account will vary according to the type of bank and the form of business entity.

9. Obtain Delaware State Business Licenses and Permits

You can start a business in Delaware but to make it operational in the state, you will need to apply for and obtain state business licenses and permits. The type of Delaware business license or permit your business requires will be determined by the business activity. Your business may require a single or multiple license or permit. You can register with Delaware’s One Stop Business Registration and Licensing System and you can opt for a single-year or a three-year business license. It is important to note that Delaware counties as well as towns may also require you to apply for local licenses and permits and you can find licensing information from the local and county offices.

A Delaware business license or permit is issued by various state agencies. For example, if you start a business in Delaware as a food establishment like a restaurant, bakery, food truck etc., then you will have to apply for a business license with the Division of Public Health. Similarly, if you offer Non-Professional Services like an advertising agency or IT services in the City of Wilmington then you will need to apply with the City of Wilmington, Delaware Department of Finance, Wage/Business License Division. Yes, the entire process of identifying the right business license or permit for your company may look complex and this is where the “Business License Research Report” service by IncParadise can benefit you immensely. This research report contains a list of filing instructions, supporting document requirements and fees for all business licenses and permits in Delaware.

10. Annual and Ongoing Requirements

Different states have different annual and ongoing requirements for new and existing businesses. If you register a business in Delaware then in order to be compliant with the state business laws, different forms of businesses have to fulfill different annual requirements like all active domestic corporations have to file annual reports and franchise taxes while a limited liability company or limited partnership will have to file only annual taxes. It is important to note that failure to comply with annual requirements can result in penalties for the business. IncParadise as one of the top Delaware registered agents can help you to be compliant with all your annual business requirements.

Delaware is one of the most business friendly states – Register Today!

Some Important Quick Resources for Delaware Business

Starting a new business in any state in the USA can be quite a demanding affair especially if you are a first time entrepreneur. If you are planning to start a business in Delaware then you can acquire knowledge and have access to information pertaining to different aspects of your business formation and operation. Some of the important resources for Delaware new businesses are:

Delaware Division of Corporations

The Delaware division of corporations is a state department that offers a range of business related services and information aimed at both new entities and existing companies. You will have access to information that will help you to register a business in Delaware. Information that you can access or even download include Delaware business name search forming a Delaware entity, reservation of business name, entity status, general information on how to form a new business entity, FAQs, filing of annual reports and business entity tax etc. The contact information for Delaware Division of Corporations is:

• Division of Corporations
  John G. Townsend Bldg.
  401 Federal Street, – Suite 4
  Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-3073 option 2
  Email: DosDoc_Tech_Support@delaware.gov
  Website – https://corp.delaware.gov/

Delaware Department of Revenue Tax Division

The Division of Revenue of Delaware government is to provide excellence in tax and revenue service as well as administration. There are several services and resources offered by the department that your business can benefit from like one-on-one business tax assistance, free online filing systems for businesses and individuals, business tax forms, and other business taxpayer services. The contact information for Delaware Department of Revenue Tax Division is:

• Division of Revenue – Wilmington Office
  820 N. French Street
  Wilmington, DE
  19801 (302) 577-8200
  Phone: (302) 577-8778
  Email: DOR_BusinessTax@delaware.gov
  Website: https://revenue.delaware.gov/

Delaware Small Business Development Center

The Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is responsible for delivering training programs and also offers professional consulting services that are aimed at helping entrepreneurs, innovators, and existing businesses in formulating as well as executing strategies that will enable growth and success. When you start a business in Delaware, you can benefit from their on-location classes, online training options, and seminars. The contact information is:

• Delaware Technology Park
  1 Innovation Way, Suite 301
  Newark, DE
  19711
  Phone: 302-831-1555
  Email: delaware-sbdc@udel.edu
  Website: https://delawaresbdc.org/

Delaware Division of Small Business

The Delaware Division of Small Business is primarily a service-focused agency that is committed towards providing first-time business owners with important business resources.They provide information pertaining to a variety of business support programs and you can benefit from them after you register a business in Delaware. They provide information on Delaware small business incentive programs, tax credit programs, the EDGE Grant program, and preferential tax treatment in opportunity zones among others. The contact information for Delaware Division of Small Business is:

• Dover Office
  99 Kings Highway
  Dover, DE
  19901
  Phone: 302-739-4271
  Email: damien.destefano@delaware.gov
  Website: https://business.delaware.gov/

Doing Business with Delaware Company in Any Other States in the US

Once you start a business in Delaware, you may feel the need to expand your business across the state or even to any other state in the US. In such a scenario, you are bound to ask yourself – is it possible for a Delaware company to conduct its business in other states? Yes, it is definitely possible to conduct business. Even if you have formed in Delaware as an LLC or business corporation and have a Delaware business license you can operate your business in any other state in the USA through a foreign qualification process. Since most Startups prefer doing their business in California but need to derive the advantages of incorporating in Delaware; here is the process of how you could form in Delaware and still conduct business in California.

• Delaware Corporation doing business in California – If you register a business in Delaware as a corporation and want to conduct your business in California then it is both legal and mainstream. As an entrepreneur or business owner, there may be a host of reasons for this transition. The first important aspect is to ensure you are maintaining a registered agent in Delaware and the second aspect is to have a corporation resolved by the founders to do business in other states like California. You will then be required to undergo the foreign qualification process, which is registering your business as a foreign corporation with the office of the California Secretary of State. You can form a stock or professional corporation and the filing fee is $100. You will also need to submit a “Certificate of Good Standing”.
• Delaware LLC doing business in California – If you register a business in Delaware as a limited-liability company and want to conduct business in California then you will be required to register as a foreign entity. You will have to file an “Application to Register a Foreign Limited Liability Company” also known as Form LLC-5 with the office of the California Secretary of State along with a filing fee of $70 and a Certificate of Good Standing.

Do you need to prepare your startup in Delaware for business growth?

Ready to start business in Delaware?

It is never an easy path when you want to transform an idea into a successful business. There are several factors that have to be considered and processes to be completed to simply start a business in Delaware. A good business climate and strong tax shelter make Delaware a good choice for your enterprise but where do you start? IncParadise, one of the reputed Delaware registered agents can help you establish your business in the state by providing a wide range of business-related services including incorporation or new business registration.

We are not only one of the top incorporation or new business formation service providers in Delaware but have also helped thousands of businesses in Delaware to start their LLC or INC. We also specialize in providing additional services to help start a business in Delaware like EIN assistance, foreign qualification, and Certificate of Good Standing among others.

Delaware Registered Agent

A registered agent in Delaware acts as the liaison between a business entity and the secretary of state or Delaware Division of Corporation to handle service of process. A registered agent in Delaware also provides an array of services that may vary from new business formation to assisting with filing of the annual report, helping obtain federal tax ID and Delaware certificate of good standing among others. If you hire a registered agent in Delaware then they will also be responsible towards receiving all types of legal documents and correspondence from the Division of Corporations on your behalf. There are several steps to change a Delaware registered agent if you already have one but require someone to handle your requirements in Delaware.

What does being a registered agent in Delaware mean?

Whether you are planning to start a new business in Delaware or thinking of expanding or moving your existing business to Delaware from another state; the State Code states that it is mandatory to hire and maintain a registered agent in Delaware. Different states may have different requirements and processes to hire or change a registered agent but the purpose remains almost the same. The purpose of a resident agent in Delaware is:

• A legal or physical address also means that there will be staff available for facilitating the legal service of process if one is served to the business entity in an event of lawsuit or a legal action. The staff is available during normal business hours as specified by the Delaware Code.
• A registered agent in Delaware is a firm or an individual to whom the office of the Secretary of State or Delaware Division of Corporations will send all official documents pertaining to various annual business requirements like the Delaware annual report form and franchise tax notice.
• An important role of a registered agent in Delaware is to notify an entity regarding their business status in the state like if they are in “good standing” with the state or not.

In order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of registered or resident agent services, company’s often hire a new agent or change their existing agent. There are specific steps to change a Delaware registered agent, which you can follow to ensure all your business requirements are met by the chosen agent.

Who can be a Delaware registered agent?

A registered agent in Delaware can be a company or a person who accepts business, state, and legal mail on behalf of a business entity. Sometimes business owners are confronted with the thought of whether it is possible to be a resident agent as an individual and how to become a registered agent in Delaware and represent themselves. As to who can be a Delaware registered agent, there are two options, which is an individual as a registered agent and a commercial registered agent.

• Individual as a Registered Agent – If you want to represent yourself or your company then you need to know how to become a registered agent in Delaware. Delaware allows individuals to be a registered agent. According to the Delaware Code, Title 6 for domestic and foreign LLC and Title 8 for domestic or foreign corporation permit an individual to be their own registered agent in Delaware. So, how do you become a registered agent in Delaware? To become a registered agent or resident agent for your own business; you will have to fulfill certain state requirements like maintaining a physical office in Delaware that should be open, and he/she has to be present at the designated location to accept the service of process or perform the duties of a resident agent.
• A Commercial Registered Agent – A commercial registered agent on the other hand can be an individual or a firm that offers professional registered agent services in Delaware. A professional registered agent in Delaware is a firm that is compliant with the statutory requirements as specified in the Delaware Code 8 Del. C. §132, 6 Del. C. §15-111(a)(e), 6 Del.C. §17-104(a)(e), and 6 Del. C. §18-104(a)(e). Such an agent should also have represented at least 50 or more domestic or foreign business entities and have been handling service of process for at least 1 year. IncParadise has represented more than 10,000 business entities across the US and are fully compliant with the Delaware commercial agent requirements. If you are looking for professional agents with experience and expertise then you can hire IncParadise by following the steps to change a Delaware registered agent.

Do you need Delaware Registered Agent Services?

Changing Delaware Registered Agent

Different businesses have different reasons to change a Delaware registered agent for example, when you are starting an LLC, you may designate yourself or another member of the limited liability company to be the registered agent. However, since the address of the chosen registered agent goes on public record, hence most agents resign from their current position. Sometimes, a company owner opts to be an individual resident agent and due to additional workload and expansion of the business, it becomes necessary to hire a professional registered agent service. These are some of one of the most common reasons for wanting a change of agent.

Steps to change Delaware registered agent

There are a few steps to change a Delaware registered agent that you will be required to follow for smooth transition of the entire process of changing your Delaware RA. Let’s take a look at how this process actually works.

1. Choose a new registered agent in Delaware

One of the important steps to change a Delaware registered agent is to choose a new agent. Have you identified a registered agent who will provide service of process and represent you in Delaware?

In order to search and choose a new registered agent, there are two questions you need to ask:

• Why do you want to change a registered agent in Delaware?
• What are you looking for in the new resident agent?

Let’s look at an example to understand this. You have been acting as an individual agent for your company for a few years but since its inception, your business has grown. In such a scenario, adhering to the norms and compliances of Delaware State consumes time and you are unable to maintain regular business hours. At the same time, you need all your energy and focus on business expansion and growth. What is the next best option? You opt for the process to change a Delaware registered agent (RA) but how do you choose a new registered agent in Delaware? There are a few factors to consider while choosing an RA and they are:

• Choose an RA service that is professional – A professional registered agent will have staff maintaining regular office hours e.g., if you take a vacation and are unable to receive a notice then a professional registered agent like IncParadise can receive on your behalf.
• Choose an RA service that has a nationwide presence – Nationwide presence is important from the perspective that if you were to expand to another state apart from Delaware in the future, you would have to hire another agent in the new state. Instead, if you hire a registered agent service like IncParadise, which has presence in all the 50 states then you will not be required to change Delaware registered agent or hire a new one irrespective of your location.
• Evaluate the different service levels – The services provided by a professional RA are crucial. Different registered agents provide different services depending on the type of business and the state where you are planning to conduct your operations. A reliable and professional registered agent like IncParadise provides a myriad of business services that vary from new business formation to managing paperwork associated with renewing, appointing, or changing your registered agent.
• Are they providing any software? – One of the salient highlights of a reliable registered agent service is providing clients with access to Entity Manager Software. Our software is state-of-the-art and can be used to meet business related requirements like receiving important notifications and alerts pertaining to deadlines or annual submissions.

Once you have identified your requirements and taken all factors into consideration, it will be easy to move on to the next step of choosing a new agent or change a Delaware registered agent.

2. Notify your previous registered agent about the change

Once you have taken the decision to change a Delaware registered agent and have chosen your new agent, it is important to notify your previous registered agent about the change. Although it is not mandatory, if you don’t notify then there is a high possibility of your business getting billed for services that you are no longer in use.

3. File a Delaware Certificate for Change of Agent to the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations

This is one of the most important steps to change a Delaware registered agent as it will require you to file change of agent paperwork with the Delaware Department of State, Division of Corporations.

If your business is a corporation then you will be required to file the “Certificate of Change of Registered Agent/Office for Corporation” in accordance with Section 133 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. If your business is a limited liability company then you will have to file a “Certificate of Amendment Changing Only the Registered Office/Agent of Limited Liability Company” in accordance with Section 18-202 and 18-1105 (a) (11) of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. The certificate has to be filed along with a Cover Memo.

How much does it cost to change your registered agent in Delaware?

If you are planning to change a Delaware registered agent then the fee for filing a registered agent change certificate is $50 for both corporations and LLCs. If you hire IncParadise as your registered agent in Delaware then you can avail of a special package for “Registered Agent Change” – $89 for one year. There will also be an additional state filing fee of $50 charged separately by the Delaware Secretary of State when you change your registered agent to IncParadise. Once you order our Registered Agent services, we will take care of all your business communication with the state including Delaware Secretary of State about change of your registered agent.

Choose IncParadise as Your Delaware Registered Agent

Whether you are forming a new business or expanding your existing business in Delaware; it is mandatory to hire a registered agent in the state to handle ‘service of process’. If you are thinking of changing your registered agent in Delaware then it is also important to note that the new or chosen agent has a physical address in the state and not just a P.O. Box number. IncParadise, one of the most reputable agents in Delaware adheres to the regulations established by the Division of Corporations and Secretary of State.

We are one of the leading registered agent service providers in Delaware, and we can help you with the process of changing your registered agent in Delaware. As your registered agent in the state, we will accept the service of process and other communications including receiving legal, official, and business documents as we have experienced staff who maintain normal working hours. We also provide a secure online account to all our clients for enabling access to email notifications or for renewal of registered agent services in Delaware.