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Michigan Corporation Formation, 2026

How to form a corporation in Michigan for a $0 flat service fee.

Michigan state filing fee is $60. Standard processing 3 to 5 business days. We file Articles of Incorporation with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), issue 10M authorized shares (QSBS-eligible), prepare Michigan corporate bylaws, issue founder common stock with vesting and 83(b) templates and obtain your EIN.

Start your Michigan Corporation

$199 flat service fee QSBS preserved 60-day money-back

Encrypted at rest & in transit secure
4.9 rating · 8,200+ reviews
Filed directly with the state

10,000,000 shares authorizedQSBS

State of Michigan

Division of Corporations

FILED

Certificate of Incorporation

Michigan C-Corporation

Authorized shares10,000,000

Par value$0.0001

State fee$60

Processing3 to 5 business days

StatusActive · Good standing

Saved to your encrypted vaultMI
SEAL

Founder stock · 83(b) · EIN

Cap table ready on day one

Is a Michigan corporation right for you

When the corporation structure fits.

FORM A CORPORATION IN MICHIGAN IF

You plan to raise venture capital (institutional investors require C-Corp)
You want to issue stock options to employees (ISOs)
You want QSBS eligibility for capital gains tax exclusion
You expect significant retained earnings (C-Corp can retain at 21% federal rate)
You want clear separation between operators and shareholders

FORM AN LLC INSTEAD IF

You are a solo operator or small business not raising outside capital
You want pass-through taxation with no corporate formalities
You prefer minimal annual compliance burden
You will own real estate (LLCs are standard for property holding)
You want simpler ownership transfer without share certificates

The Michigan business environment

Why Michigan for your corporation.

Low formation cost ($50) and low annual statement ($25, due Feb 15). Auto industry recovery has stabilized the state economy. State income tax 4.25% flat.

State GDP$615BTotal state output

Population10MCensus estimate

Small businesses~900,000Per SBA

Notable#1 in automotive R&D spendingEconomic distinction

Top industries in Michigan

Automotive (Detroit Three)ManufacturingAgricultureTourismTechnology (growing in Ann Arbor)

Top cities

Where Michigan corporations are headquartered.

Detroit

Largest metro. GM, Ford, Stellantis HQs. Auto industry, growing tech.

Grand Rapids

Manufacturing (office furniture), healthcare, growing tech.

Warren

Auto manufacturing, defense (TACOM).

Ann Arbor

University of Michigan, tech, biotech, growing startup scene.

Lansing

State capital. Government, GM, healthcare.

Sterling Heights

Auto manufacturing.

What we'll set up for you

A clean handoff, in four steps.

You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.

01 · Name + Brand

A name that's actually available.

Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.

02 · State filing

Filed with the Secretary of State.

We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.

03 · Federal IDs

EIN + the right tax setup.

Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.

04 · Stay compliant

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.

Filing timeline

From form to filed in Michigan.

Day 0

Tell us about your businessEntity name, incorporators, share structure, founder allocations

Day 1

We file with MichiganArticles submitted to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

Day 2-5

EIN + governance docsEIN issued. Bylaws, board minutes, founder stock prepared

Day 5-30

83(b) + cap table83(b) mailed (30-day deadline). Cap table populated. Ready to operate

Compare to alternatives

Michigan corp vs other formation states.

Delaware (default for VC-backed)$89+Required by most VCs. Foreign qualification in Michigan still needed.

Ohio$99No annual report at all, similar economy

Indiana$97Biennial reports, similar manufacturing

Wisconsin$130Similar economy, higher fees

Michigan Corp$60Form here if you operate in Michigan.

Local resources

Michigan corporate resources.

Michigan Economic Development CorpState business support

Michigan SBDCStatewide network

Detroit Regional ChamberMetro chamber

Ann Arbor SPARKAnn Arbor region tech and EDC

FAQ

Michigan Corporation questions.

Should I form my Michigan corporation as a C-Corp or S-Corp?

Most Michigan corporations start as C-Corps (default federal tax treatment). S-Corp is a federal election (Form 2553) you file later, typically when net profit crosses $60-80k. For venture-backed startups, C-Corp is required: S-Corp cannot have institutional investors, non-US shareholders, or multiple share classes. We file the Michigan corporation; you can elect S-Corp anytime by filing Form 2553.

What is the difference between forming an LLC and a corporation in Michigan?

LLCs are simpler (no shares, fewer formalities, pass-through tax by default). Michigan corporations have shareholders, a board of directors, officers, bylaws, board minutes, and double taxation by default. Corporations are the standard structure for raising venture capital because investors require preferred stock, ESOPs, and other corporate-specific instruments LLCs cannot provide.

Do I need bylaws for my Michigan corporation?

Yes. Michigan corporations are governed internally by bylaws (board structure, officer roles, meeting requirements, voting rules) plus the Articles of Incorporation filed with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). We include Michigan-appropriate bylaws with every formation, along with initial board minutes and a corporate governance binder.

How many shares should my Michigan corporation authorize?

Standard for a new C-Corp: 10,000,000 authorized shares of common stock with a small percentage actually issued to founders. The 10M structure leaves room for an option pool (typically 10-20%) and future preferred stock issuances in financing rounds. We file the 10M authorized share structure by default; you can specify a different number.

What is QSBS and does my Michigan corporation qualify?

Qualified Small Business Stock (IRC Section 1202) lets shareholders exclude up to $10M (or 10x basis) of capital gains on qualifying C-Corp stock held more than 5 years. Michigan C-Corps qualify if they meet the active business test (80% of assets used in qualified trade) and the gross asset test (under $50M at issuance). We preserve QSBS eligibility from day one.

Do I need to issue founder stock with vesting?

Highly recommended. Michigan founder stock without vesting means a co-founder who leaves after 6 months keeps 100% of their shares. With standard 4-year/1-year-cliff vesting, the company can reclaim unvested shares. We issue founder stock with vesting and prepare Section 83(b) election forms (due to IRS within 30 days of issuance).

When should my Michigan corporation elect S-Corp status?

S-Corp election (IRS Form 2553) can save self-employment tax when net profit crosses ~$60-80k. Restrictions: 100 shareholders max, US individuals only (no entities, no non-resident aliens), single class of stock. If you plan to raise venture capital, stay C-Corp. Our service fee for filing Form 2553 is $147.

Start your Michigan Corporation in 5 minutes.

Tell us a few details. We file with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), prepare your bylaws, issue founder stock with vesting, file your 83(b) reminder and obtain your EIN.

Start your Michigan Corp Talk to a Michigan specialist

Pay only state fee QSBS preserved 60-day money-back

Related searches: form a corporation in Michigan · Michigan C-Corp · Michigan S-Corp · Michigan incorporation cost 2026 · how to incorporate in Michigan · Michigan Secretary of State corporation · Michigan corporate bylaws · Michigan QSBS · Delaware vs Michigan C-Corp

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Corporations we have formed in Michigan.

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220,000+ businesses. 60-day money-back. State fees passed through at cost.

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How to form a corporation in Michigan for a $0 flat service fee.

When the corporation structure fits.

Why Michigan for your corporation.

Where Michigan corporations are headquartered.

A clean handoff, in four steps.

A name that's actually available.

Filed with the Secretary of State.

EIN + the right tax setup.

Registered Agent + deadline tracking.

From form to filed in Michigan.

Michigan corp vs other formation states.

Michigan corporate resources.

Michigan Corporation questions.

Start your Michigan Corporation in 5 minutes.

Corporations we have formed in Michigan.

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