Formation documents
Articles of Organization or Incorporation establish the legal entity and include registered agent and organizer information required by the Secretary of State.
The guide reduces confusion around entity selection, state filing steps, and compliance timelines so new businesses file correctly and minimize delays or penalties.
Founders and small-business teams use this guide to complete formation steps accurately and consistently.
Use the guide as a checklist during formation and keep the completed documents for retention and compliance.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Use email + SMS code or stronger methods for high-risk filings. |
| Conditional Fields | Show or hide fields based on entity type to reduce signer errors. |
| Templates | Save pre-filled formation templates for repeatable filings. |
| Integrations | Connect to accounting or CRM systems for post-formation workflows. |
Choose a platform that supports required formats, authentication, and integrations to streamline filings.
Ensure the platform can produce an audit trail with timestamps and signer attribution for legal defensibility.
No fixed filing deadline; provide when requested by a payer.
Provide copies to recipients and IRS by January 31 each year.
Paper returns to IRS due February 28; electronic due March 31.
Individual tax returns due April 15 (extension to October 15 available).
Apply as soon as the entity is formed to begin payroll and tax accounts.
Complete business plan, tax considerations, and name availability checks.
Submit Articles and pay filing fee to establish legal existence.
Obtain EIN and register for state tax accounts and employer accounts.
Set up bank accounts, merchant services, and any required licenses.
Articles of Organization or Incorporation establish the legal entity and include registered agent and organizer information required by the Secretary of State.
Internal governance documents set ownership, management rights, voting procedures, capital contributions, and dispute-resolution processes among members or shareholders.
IRS-issued Employer Identification Number used for tax reporting, payroll setup, and opening corporate bank accounts; retain the SS-4 confirmation.
Business licenses, local permits, and professional licenses required by city or county authorities depending on industry and location.
Board or member resolutions authorizing bank signers, transfers, or initial contracts to provide an auditable record of decisions.
Bank account agreements and signature cards required to open accounts in the entity name and to segregate business funds.
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
The founder processed and executed documents fully online to close property deals more quickly.
The operations team adopted a simple e-signature workflow to collect investor and vendor signatures.