How to Start a Company: U.S. Formation Checklist
Move from ownership and business model through entity formation, tax classification, EIN, registrations, banking, bookkeeping, contracts, insurance, and first filings.
The practical answer
Move from ownership and business model through entity formation, tax classification, EIN, registrations, banking, bookkeeping, contracts, insurance, and first filings. Confirm the facts and evidence first, apply the relevant rule second, and document the decision and follow-through.
Decisions to organize
Use these decision points to turn the topic into verifiable actions.
- Define owners, control, capital, profit rights, and expected activities
- Separate legal entity choice from federal and state tax classification
- Assign every registration, account, filing, and renewal to a responsible person
Evidence checklist
- Owner identities, addresses, citizenship, and tax status
- Formation, governance, and ownership documents
- EIN, state, local, and tax registrations
- Capital, banking, contracts, and registered-agent records
- Tax elections and compliance calendar
Issues to flag for review
- Treating an LLC and an S corporation as equivalent concepts
- Using outdated BOI instructions
- Registering without understanding state tax exposure
- Forming for a foreign owner without international reporting review
Frequently asked questions
What should I review before acting?
Move from ownership and business model through entity formation, tax classification, EIN, registrations, banking, bookkeeping, contracts, insurance, and first filings.
When should professional review be added?
Add review when facts, forms, deadlines, elections, or consequences remain uncertain.
Sources and important note
General educational material based on the official sources below. Confirm tax-year facts and your individual circumstances before filing or acting.
Turn the guide into a plan.
Bring the records, questions, and deadlines that apply.