● Connecticut · Incorporation
How to Incorporate in Connecticut
Incorporate in Connecticut without the two classic traps – CountSure files your Certificate of Incorporation, sizes your shares, and hits the 30-day first report deadline. $250 filing includes franchise tax to 20,000 shares.
Requirements, costs & steps to incorporate in Connecticut
Incorporating in Connecticut creates a formal entity with directors, officers, and stock. Two Connecticut details set it apart: the $250 filing fee already includes the minimum franchise tax for up to 20,000 authorized shares, and you must file an “Organization and First Report” within 30 days of incorporating. This guide covers the cost, the filing steps, and ongoing compliance. To compare structures first, read our LLC vs. corporation guide, or let our Connecticut incorporation service file it all for you.
The short answer: To incorporate in Connecticut you file a Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State for $250, which includes the minimum franchise tax for up to 20,000 authorized shares (a sliding-scale franchise tax applies above that). You appoint a registered agent, set your authorized stock, and file an Organization and First Report within 30 days ($150) listing your directors and officers. Corporations then file a $150 annual report in their incorporation anniversary month.
You can verify the fees from official website of Connecticut – Click here to verify
● Key takeaways
What you need to know?
- Filing fee: $250 for the Certificate of Incorporation - this INCLUDES the minimum franchise tax for up to 20,000 authorized shares.
- Share based franchise tax: Authorizing more than 20,000 shares triggers an additional franchise tax on a sliding scale, paid at filing.
- Organization and First Report: Due within 30 days of incorporating ($150) - this is where you list directors and officers.
- Annual report: $150 each year, due in your incorporation ANNIVERSARY month (different from the LLC’s fixed Jan - Mar window).
- Directors: At least one director; not required to be listed in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Connecticut corporation at a glance
The essentials for incorporating and maintaining a Connecticut corporation. Verify all figures before publishing.
● Step by step
How to incorporate in Connecticut, step by step
Seven steps from name check through your 30 day Organization and First Report.
Choose a compliant corporate name
Connecticut corporate names must include “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Company,” or an abbreviation, be distinguishable from existing names, and not mislead the public. Reserve a name for 120 days for $60 if desired.
Appoint a registered agent
A Connecticut resident or registered service with a physical in-state address (no PO box) who accepts the appointment. CountSure can serve as your registered agent.
Set your authorized shares
File your Certificate of Incorporation
Hold an organizational meeting and adopt bylaws
File the Organization and First Report (within 30 days)
Get an EIN and register for taxes
● Directors & documents
Director & formation requirements
- Minimum number: At least one director.
- Age: Directors may be of any age under Connecticut law.
- Residency: No Connecticut residency requirement for directors.
- Listed where: Directors are NOT listed in the Certificate of Incorporation - they’re disclosed on the Organization and First Report (within 30 days) and each annual report.
- Stock: Total authorized shares (and rights/limitations for multiple classes); the share count drives the franchise tax at filing.
Ongoing Connecticut corporation compliance & taxes
Corporate records
Keep the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, stock records, shareholder and director lists, and meeting minutes at your principal office. Maintaining these formalities protects your limited-liability status.
Annual report - $150, anniversary month
Connecticut corporations file a $150 annual report each year, due by the last day of the incorporation anniversary month – note this differs from the LLC’s fixed January – March window. All reports are filed online. Missing it can lead to delinquency and administrative dissolution.
Corporation Business Tax
Connecticut’s Corporation Business Tax is charged on the greater of net income (7.5%) or the capital base, with a 10% surtax that applies only to very large filers. The capital base tax is being phased out by 2028. File Form CT-1120 with the Department of Revenue Services.
S corporation election
Connecticut recognizes the federal S-corporation election; the state formation is identical, and the S election is a separate federal choice with the IRS (Form 2553). S-corp income generally passes through to shareholders.
EIN and state tax ID
An EIN is required to hire and bank. Register with the Department of Revenue Services for the Corporation Business Tax and any sales/withholding accounts. Connecticut does not issue a separate state corporate tax ID number.
Connecticut incorporation cost breakdown
The full picture before optional services. Verify figures before publishing.
● Expert view
Insight from our team
Our guidance reflects hands-on filing experience across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reviewed against current Secretary of State and Department of Revenue requirements.
“Two Connecticut corporation traps catch first-timers. First, the 30-day Organization and First Report – people file the Certificate, feel done, and miss the report that actually puts their directors and officers on record; blow the 30 days and you’re delinquent out of the gate. Second, the franchise tax is share-based, so authorizing a huge share count ‘for later’ can cost you at filing. We calendar the 30-day report immediately and size authorized shares to stay inside the 20,000 threshold unless there’s a real reason not to.”
Parth Shah
CountSure
● Keep exploring
Related guides & services
- All state formation guides
Colorado incorporation Questions
The Certificate of Incorporation is $250, which includes the minimum franchise tax for up to 20,000 authorized shares. You’ll also file a $150 Organization and First Report within 30 days, and a $150 annual report each year.
It’s a report due within 30 days of incorporating, filed for $150, where you officially list your directors and officers. Missing the 30-day window can make your corporation delinquent.
It’s based on authorized shares. The $250 filing fee covers up to 20,000 shares; above that, a sliding-scale franchise tax applies at the time of filing.
By the last day of your incorporation anniversary month each year, for $150 – unlike LLCs, which file in a fixed January-March window.
At least one. Directors aren’t listed in the Certificate of Incorporation – they’re disclosed on the Organization and First Report and each annual report.
Get Started
Incorporate in Connecticut with CountSure
From the Certificate of Incorporation and a clean share structure to the 30-day first report, bylaws, EIN, and your anniversary month annual report, CountSure handles Connecticut incorporation start to finish.
- Free 30-minute consultation with a CPA
- Fixed-fee, fully transparent pricing
- 100% remote - no travel or visa required
