How do i get a copy of my articles of incorporation in pa

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1. We have been granted federal 501(c)(7) non-profit status. How do we go about incorporating as an equivalent non-profit in Pennsylvania?
   Incorporations are handled by the PA Department of State, whether applying as a for-profit or a nonprofit corporation. The phone number for the PA Department of State is: 717-783-1720 and their...
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2. What are the requirements an organization must meet to qualify for Sales Tax Exempt Status?
   According to the Institutions of purely public Charity Act of 1997, all nonprofit organizations wishing to be exempt from paying PA Sales Tax must meet all the following criteria: Charitable Purpose...
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3. How does a nonprofit organization apply for a Sales Tax exemption?
   Charitable organizations may be entitled to a PA Sales Tax exemption under the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act of 1997. To apply for exempt status, submit a completed REV-72 form to the...
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   The organization will be asked to submit the following information: 1. A completed "Application for Sales Tax Exemption"  REV-72 2. IRS form 990. If you are not required to file IRS 990, your...
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5. How do I create a corporation?
   Creating a corporation is a legal process that entails drawing up and filing articles of incorporation with the PA Department of State. This process may require professional advice. Here is the link...
   01/06/2020
   
6. Why is a copy of the federal income tax return now required to be included with the filing of the bank shares tax report?
   In prior years the federal return would not necessarily have an effect on the calculation of the Bank Shares Tax. However, Act 52 of 2013 added the following definition of receipts to Article...
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7. Where can someone get a copy of the PA S-corporation tax law?
   The requirements to become a Pennsylvania S corporation are contained in Article III, Part IV-A of the Tax Reform Code of 1971. It is available in all Pennsylvania law libraries and many public...
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8. How do I dissolve a business entity in Pennsylvania?
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   An entity formed as a limited liability company that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes has a personal income tax filing requirement for Pennsylvania. Please note: If the...
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To form a corporation, you need to file articles of incorporation with the Pennsylvania Department of State. Your articles provide basic information about your corporation, such as your name and registered office. Complete the appropriate paperwork and submit the articles with the appropriate fee.

1. 

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   Download the form. Pennsylvania provides fill-in-the-blank articles of incorporation you can use. Download the appropriate form from the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations website: http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/RegistrationForms/Pages/default.aspx. Alternately, you can order forms by calling 717-787-1057.

   • There are different forms depending on whether you are forming a nonprofit or a for-profit corporation.
   • Pennsylvania prefers that you type your information. You can download the form as a PDF and enter the information directly into it. If you handwrite your information, make sure it is legible.[1]

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   Apply online if you want. Online filing is a convenient option. Someone will review your articles in a few business days. To file online, visit https://www.corporations.pa.gov/. You’ll need to create a username and password.

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   Identify your type of corporation. There are many options. If you want to read up on the differences, check the state law, which you can find online. The articles of incorporation form will tell which section of the law to read.

   • Business—stock. You issue stock certificates to shareholders.
   • Business—nonstock. No stock certificates are issued. People sometimes prefer to form this type of corporation because a stock certificate is an asset their creditors could seize.
   • Business—statutory close. Generally, closely-held corporations have a limited number of shareholders and publicly trade their stock infrequently.[2]
   • Professional corporation. This corporation is formed by licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, etc.[3]
   • Other. Pennsylvania law also provides for management, insurance, and benefit corporations.
   • Domestic Nonprofit Corporation. Most nonprofits will choose this option.
   • Nonprofit Cooperative Corporation. A co-op is run for the benefit of its owners. A common example is a food co-op.

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   Include your registered office address. Your registered office is where legal papers will be sent. You must include the street name and number. A PO Box is not acceptable by itself. You can also hire a commercial registered office provider to accept papers on your behalf.[4]

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   State what law authorizes your incorporation. If you use a fill-in-the-blank form, this information should already be printed there. For example, a for-profit corporation should state, "The corporation is incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988."[5]

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   Identify a purpose if you're incorporating as a nonprofit. Briefly state why you have formed your nonprofit. Your statement should be sufficient to satisfy the IRS if you are seeking federal tax-exempt status. See IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, for more information.[6]

   • The form only provides two lines. If you need extra space, attach 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

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   Identify the number of authorized shares. Both for-profit and nonprofit corporations can be organized on a stock or non-stock basis. If you issue stock, state the number of authorized shares.[7]

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   State whether there are members if you're incorporating as a nonprofit. If there are, include a statement that a majority of members of the committee authorized to incorporate have voted to go ahead with the incorporation.[8]

   • If you don’t have any members, check the box on the form.

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   Provide the name and address of each incorporator. An incorporator is someone authorized to seek incorporation. Include the street name and number for each incorporator. Don’t use a PO Box.[9]

   • Every incorporator must sign and date the articles at the bottom.

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    Identify when you want the corporation to become effective. Generally, your corporation will become effective as soon as the state signs off on your articles of incorporation. Alternately, you can designate a date in the future.

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    Provide additional information, depending on your corporation. Pennsylvania will need additional information if you are forming a benefit, cooperative, nonprofit, or statutory close corporation.[10]

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   Gather other required information. You must send the following along with your articles of incorporation:[11]

   • A copy of a completed docketing statement, form DSCB:15-134A. To complete the Docketing Statement, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
   • Any copies of form DSCB:19-17.2, Consent to Appropriation of Name. You’ll submit this form if another business has given you permission to use its name.
   • Any necessary governmental approvals.

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   Decide if you want an expedited filing. It can take several days to approve your articles if you file online and even longer if you file by paper. However, you can get same-day, three-hour, or one-hour service. You must submit your paperwork in person with an Expedited Service Request form.

   • Same-day service will cost an additional $100.
   • Three-hour service will cost an additional $300.
   • One-hour service will cost an extra $1,000.[12]

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   Pay your filing fee. The nonrefundable filing fee is $125. Make your personal check out to "Department of State." Your check must contain a commercially pre-printed name and address on it.[13]

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   Submit your articles. Make a copy of your articles for your records. Mail all required information to Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, PO Box 8722, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722.

   • If you want expedited service, you’ll need to submit the paperwork in person at the Harrisburg office. You can’t submit through the mail.[14]

5. 

   5

   Publish your intention to incorporate. Pennsylvania law requires that you publish in two newspapers or one legal journal. You don’t need to submit proof of publication to the state. However, you should keep proof with your corporate minutes.[15]

Add New Question

• Question

  What should I list as my "primary business activity" on an LLC registration form in Pennsylvania?

  

  Lahaina Araneta, Esq. is an Immigration Attorney for Orange County, California with over 6 years of experience. She received her JD from Loyola Law School in 2012. In law school, she participated in the immigrant justice practicum and served as a volunteer with several nonprofit agencies.

  

  Attorney at Law

  Expert Answer

  Your formation documents should already state a “corporate purpose” (or something similar). Simply copy this information in order to summarize your business activity.

• Question

  How long does the process take to incoperate a business?

  

  Lahaina Araneta, Esq. is an Immigration Attorney for Orange County, California with over 6 years of experience. She received her JD from Loyola Law School in 2012. In law school, she participated in the immigrant justice practicum and served as a volunteer with several nonprofit agencies.

  

  Attorney at Law

  Expert Answer

  The amount of time can vary, but it often takes a few weeks to have everything fully processed.

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• Consult with an attorney if necessary. Only a qualified Pennsylvania lawyer can answer questions about Pennsylvania law. Meet with a lawyer if you need help filling out your articles or completing any other requirement. You can get a referral by contacting your nearest bar association, which you can find at http://www.pabar.org/site/Public/lrsblurb.

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• After filing your articles, remember to take next steps before opening your doors.

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