Form Your Arizona C Corporation
Build the investor-ready structure VCs expect — issue stock, raise priced rounds, and incorporate in the Grand Canyon State for a $60 state fee with no franchise tax
Filed in Arizona
The Grand Canyon State · AZ
- State filing fee$60
- Processing time13-15 business days standard (3-5 days with $35 expedite)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$45/year annual report (ACC) — due Annually, on the anniversary month
- State tax rate4.9% corporate; 2.5% personal
- Expedited option3-5 business days (+$35)
Form your Arizona C-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Arizona C-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $60 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Registered agent
Required in Arizona — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an C-Corp in Arizona
Arizona pairs a low $60 incorporation fee and no state franchise tax with a competitive 4.9% corporate income tax rate, making it a cost-effective home base for a venture-backed C Corporation. The state's booming technology, semiconductor, and aerospace sectors and its proximity to California and Mexico markets give startups a strong runway for raising capital and scaling.
The structure venture capitalists and institutional investors require to write a check
Issue stock and equity to founders, employees, and investors with a clean cap table
Perpetual existence — the corporation survives changes in ownership and management
Raise priced rounds or sell SAFEs with a familiar, investor-ready entity
Low $60 state filing fee with the Arizona Corporation Commission
No Arizona franchise tax and a competitive 4.9% state corporate income tax rate
QSBS / Section 1202 capital-gains benefits may apply to qualifying C Corp stock
Located in a fast-growing tech and semiconductor hub near California and Mexico markets
Key features of a Arizona C-Corp
- Low $60 state filing fee with the Arizona Corporation Commission
- $45 annual report filed each year with the ACC
- No Arizona franchise tax; 4.9% state corporate income tax
- Newspaper publication required after incorporation
- Board of directors, bylaws, and issued stock with perpetual existence
Major industries in Arizona
Form your Arizona C-Corp in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 13-15 business days standard (3-5 days with $35 expedite).
- 01
Choose Your Corporation Name
Your name must include a corporate designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' or an abbreviation like 'Corp.' or 'Inc.' Check availability through the Arizona Corporation Commission's business name search.
- 02
Appoint a Statutory Agent
Arizona requires a statutory agent (registered agent) with a physical street address in the state to accept legal documents and service of process on behalf of your corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Arizona Corporation Commission with the $60 state filing fee. Standard processing runs 13-15 business days; $35 expedite brings it to 3-5 business days.
- 04
Publish a Notice of Incorporation
Arizona requires you to publish a notice of incorporation in a newspaper in the county where your statutory agent is located. Run the notice for three consecutive publications to complete the requirement.
- 05
Adopt Bylaws, Appoint Directors & Issue Stock
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws, appoint your board of directors, and authorize and issue shares of stock. Founders receiving restricted stock should consider filing an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days.
- 06
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS to open a corporate bank account, hire employees, and file your federal corporate tax returns.
Arizona C-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Publication required. Arizona requires you to publish a notice of C-Corp formation in a local newspaper. Estimated cost: $100-$300.
Arizona C-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Arizona C-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission ($60 state fee)
- Appoint a statutory agent with a physical Arizona street address
- Publish a notice of incorporation in a local newspaper after filing
- Adopt corporate bylaws and appoint a board of directors (minimum one director)
- Authorize and issue shares of stock and maintain a cap table
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Obtain any required state and local business licenses
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Arizona Corporation Commission
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $10 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $60 Arizona state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Arizona)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Corporate bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Arizona C-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an C-Corp in Arizona. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a C Corporation in Arizona?
Arizona charges a $60 state fee to file your Articles of Incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission. You should also budget for the required newspaper publication. Our service fee is added on top of the state fee.
How long does it take to incorporate in Arizona?
Standard processing through the Arizona Corporation Commission takes about 13-15 business days. If you need it faster, Arizona offers expedited service for an additional $35, which brings processing down to roughly 3-5 business days.
What ongoing filings does an Arizona C Corporation have?
Arizona corporations file an annual report with the Arizona Corporation Commission for a $45 fee each year, due in your incorporation anniversary month. Arizona has no franchise tax, so there is no separate franchise tax filing.
How is a C Corporation taxed in Arizona and federally?
C Corporations pay a flat 21% federal corporate income tax on profits plus Arizona's 4.9% state corporate income tax. Because profits distributed as dividends are taxed again on shareholders' returns, C Corps are subject to 'double taxation' — a trade-off many founders accept in exchange for investor-ready equity.
Why choose a C Corporation instead of an LLC?
A C Corporation is the structure venture capitalists and institutional investors require. It lets you issue stock and equity, maintain a cap table, raise priced rounds or sell SAFEs, and grant employee options — all backed by a board of directors, corporate bylaws, and perpetual existence.
What is an 83(b) election and why does it matter?
If founders or employees receive restricted stock that vests over time, an 83(b) election lets them be taxed on the value at grant rather than as it vests. You must file it with the IRS within 30 days of receiving the restricted stock — the deadline is strict and cannot be extended.
Does my Arizona C Corporation qualify for QSBS / Section 1202 benefits?
C Corporation stock can qualify as Qualified Small Business Stock under Section 1202, and the associated capital-gains benefits may apply if the company and the stock meet the requirements. QSBS rules changed in 2025, so confirm current eligibility with a tax advisor before relying on it.
Does an Arizona C Corporation have to file a BOI report?
Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, C Corporations formed in the U.S. and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Only entities formed outside the U.S. that register to do business in a U.S. state are still required to file.
Arizona government filing resources
Filing fees for common C-Corp services
Official Arizona state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$10 for both LLC and corporation (does NOT vary by entity type).
Same fee for LLCs and corporations (does NOT vary by entity type): $10 regular / $45 total expedited (i.e., $10 base + $35 expedite).
Learn moreCertified copy: $5.00 base certification fee + $0.50 per page (same base for LLCs and corporations).
$3 per document.
Arizona's sales-tax permit is the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License from the Dept of Revenue (AZDOR).
Learn more$100 regular / $135 expedited, listed under 'Penalty Fees' on the ACC Corporations Fee Schedule (Rev.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Arizona C-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Arizona C-Corp?
Formation is free — you pay only the $60 Arizona state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 13-15 business days standard (3-5 days with $35 expedite).
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