Archive for Uncategorized

Save a Bundle with our Corp & LLC Packages

October 14, 2009 at 1:46 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Smart entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to make their businesses more efficient.  Cost reduction is a popular tactic to meet short and long term goals.  Several ways to cut costs include:

 - Renegotiating service contracts with vendors

 - Cutting fixed expenses like overhead, rent and insurance

 - Paying credit lines early to avoid interest charges

 - Ordering fewer office supplies

 - Decreasing office hours to save utilities

MyCorporation helps businesses cut costs from the beginning with affordable corporation and LLC packages.  With prices starting at just $99*, entrepreneurs can form a new corporation or LLC and lay the foundation for success with Annual Report, Registered Agent, and MaintainMyBiz corporate compliance services.

Visit MyCorporation.com or call 1-888-692-6778 for more information about our new, cost-saving packages.  MyCorporation.  Entrepreneurs Welcome.TM

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Reduced Registered Agent Price

August 13, 2009 at 9:41 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Attention Business Owners! Form a new corporation or LLC for FREE at MyCorporation.com. And with our optional Registered Agent service, you can also save 30% – making the first year of RA service just $120! Want to start your business for FREE? We can do that too! Visit MyCorporation.com or call 1-877-692-6772 for more details.

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MyCorporation Announces New Bundles

August 11, 2009 at 6:01 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

New from MyCorporation!  Easily start a new business with our one-stop-shop “Business in a Box”.  For only $299, this premium package offers a new corporation or LLC, annual report services, MaintainMyBiz services, and more.  Want to start your business for FREE?  We can do that too!   Visit MyCorporation.com or call 1-877-692-6772 for more details.

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Free Incorporation + Free Website

March 24, 2009 at 9:19 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

A down economy can really give people the push they need to help do what they have always dreamed. MyCorporation wants to help make entrepreneurial dreams come true. To give back to the small business community, MyCorporation announces its New Free Biz Pack which includes a Free Corporation or LLC filing, a Free Website for 1 year, and a Free trial of TurboTax Business.

This package is essential to starting a new business, and is available for a limited time only. Use coupon code MYFREE to waive MyCorporation’s regular service fee. Tell your friends, family, coworkers, and colleagues. This new business package is available exclusively from MyCorporation, so you can’t get it anywhere else. Call 1-877-692-6772 or visit MyCorporation.com for more information.

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Oh, The Places Your Business Will Go!

July 29, 2008 at 11:07 pm · Filed under Starting a New Business, Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Most business owners start their businesses with the hope that they will expand into other cities, states, and maybe even countries.  This business growth is excellent for the economy, excellent for the business owner (is anyone against success?), and great for customers who want options closer to where they are.  But moving a business into other areas can mean increased documentation and preparation on the part of the business owner.

For those who are looking to take their business to another state, it may be necessary to file a Foreign Qualification in the state where you are looking to expand.  This gives a business that is incorporated or organized in one state, the authority to operate in another state.  A company is considered a domestic entity only in the state where it was formed, and then must obtain Foreign Qualification in other states where it does business.  For example, Jorge decides to start a web-based company that sells video games.  He forms a corporation in Nevada because of the tax benefits and beneficial corporate laws even though his operations are based out of California.  Since he is operating his business out of California, but his business is incorporated in Nevada, Jorge will need to get a Foreign Qualification for the state of California.

There are also businesses that are looking to expand their operations to a foreign country.  In order to do this, the corporation will need to obtain an Apostille for the country where they wish to conduct business. An Apostille allows another country to recognize your corporation’s charter for international banking and registration purposes.  An Apostille can be used for other documents as well such as birth certificates, wills, and passports.  For example, let’s say Jorge’s business is doing very well in the US and he is eager to start selling in the UK.  For Jorge to start selling in the UK and to have his finances set up there, he gets an Apostille for his corporate charter and other documents so they will be recognized there.             

Growth and expansion into other areas is the goal of most business owners.  In order to make sure you can take your business to the next place, please contact MyCorporation today about getting a Foreign Qualification or Apostille for your business.  Don’t forget to ask about our compliance product MyIncGuard that will help to keep you current and in good standing with the state.

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MyCorporation Affiliate Program

July 25, 2008 at 9:41 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

The new-and-improved MyCorporation Affiliate Program continues to set the bar in its industry by focusing on building great relationships with its existing base while enlarging it with quality new affiliates.

In February 2008, MyCorporation relaunched its Affiliate Program which had been in existence since the company’s 1998 inception.  The initial goal was to reach out to the near 2000 existing affiliates, many of whom have been with MyCorporation for half a decade. 

A two-part strategy was used to accomplish the goal.  The first part being to inform and/or remind them of MyCorporation’s status as an Intuit Company alongside the likes of TurboTax, QuickBooks, Quicken, and Homestead, to name a few.

In late 2005 Intuit acquired MyCorporation, which was already second in the industry behind the competitor-whose-name-shall-not-be-repeated.   By the end of 2007, which was also to be the second full fiscal year with Intuit, MyCorp began to become fully integrated with Intuit’s other business units.

Just two months ago MyCorp Affiliates hooked up with leaders from all of Intuit’s Companies including the aforementioned four, sharing business practices and visions for a future community of Intuit Affiliate Programs.  Suffice it to say, this is a significant win for MyCorporation and Intuit as a whole; though we feel it is clear who will be the biggest winner down the road:  MyCorporation’s existing affiliates.

The second part of the re-launch strategy was to shower the affiliates with gifts and cash.

Affiliate gifts given out have included QuickBooks software – the SimpleStart Program and Credit Card Processing Kit, Starbuck’s gift cards, authentic MyCorporation Affiliate Program pens, and even candy and flowers to some.  Heck we even hand-signed all of the welcome letters, risking carpal tunnel and arthritis for our affiliates.

The cash has been shared through contests and coupons.  The Spring Affiliate Contest was a great success, awarding more than $2,000 in cash prizes to the top five revenue generators during a four-week span.  In addition, each of the top five also received a free incorporation service.  As to the coupons, ongoing promotions for our affiliates have shown coupons ranging in discounts from $25.00 all the way to $149.00.

The results to this strategy have been an obvious success.  Monthly revenue records have been broken with the surface having barely been scratched.  Other contests are in the work with higher payouts, and the coupons will keep rolling out.

During this presidential election year, you will no doubt hear the punditocracy odiously simplify the important campaign issues with the hackneyed phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.”  Well MyCorporation’s inner-office catchphrase has always been, “It’s the customers.”  We’re not quite as condescending as pundits so we leave out ‘stupid.’

As customers drive our focus and energy, it’s the repeat customers – affiliates – who garner our utmost respect. 

Feel free to call our Affiliates Department at 888-692-9566 or email us at affiliates@mycorporation.com.  See if you qualify to become an affiliate free-of-charge without any obligation.  Furthermore, we are offering an initial revenue share payout at 15%.  The train is filling up and picking up steam, and with a bright future laden with rich business relationships with other Intuit Companies and thus customer bases, now is the time to catch it.

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Keeping Your Corporate Machine Running Smoothly

July 7, 2008 at 5:32 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

There are several parts to maintaining a corporation throughout the year in order to remain in compliance with the state.  Maintaining proper corporate documents is essential to running a successful corporation. Without it, the corporate veil may be pierced and the shareholders may be personally liable.  The corporate veil is the barrier that separates the corporate entity from the people who own the corporation.  This is what allows the corporation to be its own legal entity capable of buying property, suing, and being sued.  If this veil is pierced, then the separation between the corporate entity and the owners is destroyed and the individual owners of a corporation can be held responsible for all of the corporate liabilities.  The last thing any corporate shareholder wants is to be personally responsible for the liabilities, losses, and debts of a corporation.

There are three main aspects associated with annual corporate maintenance:  annual meetings, keeping minutes, and filing annual reports.  This article will address each of these items of corporate document maintenance and why they are crucial.

The first part of corporate maintenance is holding an annual meeting.  At the annual meeting things like company changes and organizational issues for the year will be discussed.  This is also where the new directors will be chosen, as well as the new officers.  In a bit of an oversimplification, this is where the shareholders will have the opportunity to hear what is going on with the corporation and will have a chance to give feedback as to how the corporation is being run and what direction it will be heading for the next year.  All states require corporations to hold annual meetings and failing to do so can cause the corporate veil to be pierced.

It is during the annual meeting that minutes come into play.  This is no more than taking notes of what is discussed and what decisions are made so there is a record of what is going on with the corporation during meetings.  Additionally, if there are other meetings that are conducted throughout the year, then records should be kept of these as well.  Minutes do not need to be kept for routine and day-to-day decision making, but they should be kept for any meetings where decisions are being made that require the approval of the board of directors or the shareholders.

One final aspect of corporate maintenance is the annual report that is filed with the secretary of state.  Each state will differ on exactly what they require.  Most states will require similar core elements to be included in the annual report such as:  name of the corporation, address of the registered agent and/or main business office, names, titles, and business addresses of its principal officers, and the names and business addresses of its directors.  Other things that may need to be included are the purpose of the corporation, number of vacancies on the board (if any), or the date of incorporation.

All of these things are needed in order to make sure that a corporation remains in good standing with the state.  Failure to follow these requirements can needlessly expose shareholders and corporate owners to the liabilities of the business.  Having someone to help guide a corporation through this annual process and to help offer reminders to meet these requirements can take away some added stress.  MyCorporation can help make sure your corporation stays in good standing.  Call us today and ask what we can do for you.

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Starting a New Business?…Using a New Trademark?

March 3, 2008 at 6:25 pm · Filed under Trademarks, Copyrights/Intellectual Property, Uncategorized

There are numerous advantages to securing federal registration of a trademark. Perhaps the most important advantage is that federally registered trademarks are national in scope, regardless of the actual geographic use made of the mark. This national scope contrasts greatly with the limited geographic range of state common law trademarks.The importance of federal trademark registration may be more well known than the benefits of a thorough and accurate comprehensive trademark search. Substantive benefits received through federal registration include:

  • The incontestable status that a mark can achieve after five years of registration, which serves to eliminate most arguments that the registrant does not have the exclusive right to utilize the mark;
  • The right to use the ® symbol in connection with the mark, which may deter potential infringers;
  • Increased ease of discovery by those doing trademark searches, which helps to prevent the adoption of confusingly similar marks by third parties;
  • The right to sue for infringement in federal courts;
  • The ability to recover profits, damages and costs for infringement, including the possibility of receiving treble damages in certain circumstances;
  • The ability to recover attorneys’ fees in infringement actions; and
  • The ability to have the customs service block the importation of goods bearing an infringing mark.

However, before using a trademark in commerce, it is important to confirm that other individuals and/or companies are not already using the mark. You do not want to spend a great deal of time and money developing and marketing a trademark, slogan or new brand, only to discover that a third party has pre-existing rights to the same, or confusingly similar mark.

A comprehensive trademark search can provide you with a great deal of information regarding third party uses of marks that are similar to your proposed marks. The Comprehensive Trademark Search Report provided by MyCorporation.com contains records obtained from County, State, and Federal databases in addition to databases maintained by third party providers (e.g. WHOIS records contained in the Domain Names portion of your Search Report).

When reviewing a trademark search report, it is important to take into consideration a number of factors ? to determine whether the mark you would like to use is “infringing” on or “likely to be confused” with another trademark. In fact, the Ninth Circuit has developed eight factors (the so-called Sleekcraft factors) that must be considered in analyzing the likelihood of confusion: (1) the similarity of the marks; (2) the relatedness of the two companies’ services; (3) the marketing channels used; (4) the strength of plaintiff?s mark; (5) defendant?s intent in selecting its mark; (6) evidence of actual confusion; (7) the likelihood of expansion into other markets; and (8) the degree of care likely to be exercised by the purchasers. See AMF Inc. v. Sleekcraft Boats, 599 F.2d 341, 348 (9th Cir. 1979). The factors are similar in each circuit.

If, for example, two marks are substantially similar, and similar goods and services are offered to the public in connection with the trademarks, then this might give you pause in terms of attempting to register the mark. This is not to say that registration is not possible, it just presents a potential hurdle in the trademark registration process.

It is important to understand that a trademark comprehensive search cannot provide you with a definitive “answer” as to whether or not your proposed trademark is available for use and registration. It does, however, arm you with information regarding potential risks associated with the mark. This information can be extremely beneficial in helping you to make an educated business decision in the use and registration of your particular mark. In fact, if your exact trademark is already in use by another entity, you have received MORE THAN your money?s worth by ordering a comprehensive trademark search report. Now, you are faced with making the decision of whether to proceed forward with your desired trademark or to abandon it and select another mark to search.

MANY businesses HAVE NOT registered their trademarks at the Federal level. Thus, the importance of a Comprehensive Trademark Search cannot be overstated. It is extremely important that you search state and county records to protect yourself from future lawsuits and the future possibility of losing your desired trademark.

Once your mark is registered, it is interesting to note that your mark will then appear when third parties undertake a search for a mark that is similar to your mark. This factor weighs in favor of federal registration, but it also demonstrates how the process of trademark searches, applications, and registrations go “full-circle.” A thorough comprehensive search, like that performed by MyCorporation.com, will provide a wealth of information and will save you time and money in the long run!
How Can MyCorporation.com Help You?
MyCorporation.com offers a full line of document filing services in any state:

Although MyCorporation.com is happy to assist you with all of your document filing needs, I strongly urge you to speak with a licensed professional who can provide you with sound advice as to the form of entity that best suits your particular needs.

Good luck in all your business endeavors!

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Corporate Compliance in the New Year

March 2, 2008 at 11:29 pm · Filed under Maintaining a Corporation or LLC, Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

The new year is the perfect time to get organized and clean up your business matters…Whether it’s forming a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), protecting your business assets, or maintaining/updating your corporate or LLC documents, now’s the time.  It’s a new year and time to start 2008 on the right foot – and MyCorporation.com can help with all of your business and document filing needs.             The following advantages of incorporation should be considered when forming a business: (1)        Incorporate!  The most obvious advantage of incorporation is the limited liability of the company’s shareholders. A company is an entity separate and distinct from its shareholders. The company owns and operates the business and also incurs its liabilities, therefore, the owners of a corporation or LLC can minimize, if not eliminate, the personal risk. Forming a Corporation can provide the protection and tax savings needed to give you peace of mind and make your business even more successful and profitable.  (2)        Benefits to Incorporating. The following are just some benefits associated with incorporating: (a)        Tax Advantages.  Incorporation often provides fore greater tax deductions for the business, your employees, and potentially for family members of business owners.  Even if you are the only shareholder and employee of your business, benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, travel and entertainment expenses may now be deductible (b)        Easier access to capital. Most sole proprietorship and partnership business owners know how difficult it is to raise additional capital for their businesses.  Investors tend to shy away from partnership investments because of the risk of subjecting their personal assets to the liabilities that may arise from the business in which they are investing.  On the other hand, a corporation can readily raise capital by issuing additional shares of stock.  Investors can purchase shares in return for their capital.  This allows a business to raise money without incurring debt or interest charges, thus lowering the cost of capital.   (c)        Easier transfer of Ownership.      Through the sale of stock, a corporation can quickly transfer ownership interest without substantially disrupting operations, complex legal documentation, or dissolving the corporation.  Transferring ownership and raising capital are usually easier through the use of stock. Corporations usually have a perpetual life as well, distinct from that of the shareholders. The following items should be considered to maintain full corporate compliance and the protections offered in connection with corporations and LLCs: (1)        Annual Report Filings for Corporations & LLCs. Most jurisdictions require corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) to pay annual fees and taxes for the privilege of operating as a business entity. In addition to these annual fees, most states also require that corporations (and often LLCs) submit information about corporate status and activities or corporate changes that will become public record. In most states, this information report is referred to as an “Initial/Annual Report” or “Statement of Information.” Corporations and LLC are required to file this Annual Report/Statement of Information even though they may not be actively engaged in business at the time this filing is due. The applicable filing period varies by state and, in most cases; the fees associated with these “informational filings” are nominal. However, if you fail to provide the required information in a timely manner, your corporation and/or LLC could be subject to suspension and/or revocation in addition to penalties or late fees imposed by the state. (2)        Articles of Amendment or Dissolution.  Many states require that a corporation file a Certificate/Articles of Amendment when making an addition to, deleting from, or otherwise altering the existing provisions of the Articles of Incorporation for a General, for-profit Corporation.  If such additions, deletions or alterations have taken place, it is important to consider filing the appropriate Amendment with your Secretary of State.  Also, in the event that a Corporation or Limited Liability Company wishes to terminate its existence, the entity must file Certificate of Dissolution or Articles of Dissolution.  (3)        Entity Conversions.  Many states now allow for the conversion of a stock corporation into a Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership, or General Partnership.  In addition, a domestic LLC, LP or GP and a foreign entity may, in some jurisdictions, be converted into a Domestic Corporation.  As such, it is important to consider your entity’s desired corporate status, and consult with your accountant regarding the impact of potentially converting your entity, which would require filing the appropriate conversion with the corresponding Secretary of State. (4)        Bylaws, Minutes, Notices. Internally, it is important to maintain corporate documents and observe corporate formalities so as to maintain the protections afforded by your state’s corporate laws, and to minimize the potential for personal liability.  Accordingly, you should make sure that your corporate bylaws are in place, and up to date.  In addition, your state may require that you give appropriate Notice of Regular Annual Meetings of the Board of Directors and Shareholders (or the appropriate Waiver of Notice).  Such documentation is important to maintain on an annual basis, and the beginning of a new year is a great time to make sure your corporation or LLC is “in order.” Each of these items should be considered at least on an annual basis, but the beginning of the year is the perfect time to make sure your corporation or limited liability company is in good standing and that you are handling all of your corporate matters in a timely fashion.  If you need assistance with any of these document filings, MyCorporation.com offers document preparation and filing services to meet your business needs.

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