A corporation is an entity that is given life by a state via the filing of a certificate of incorporation. Corporations issue stock to shareholders. Corporations are separate entities from their shareholders and most file a corporate tax return with the Internal Revenue Service each year. In most cases, corporations provide liability protection to their directors and shareholders.
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Corporations can be either C-corporations (general), or S-corporations. Corporations provide personal liability protection, easier access to capital, and business security and continuity. However, corporations can be subject to double taxation (once at the corporate level and then again at the shareholder level via dividends). If your future plans include going public via an Initial Public Offering (IPO), a corporation is the preferred entity type. LLCs cannot go public.
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