Form a S-Corp in Arizona
Everything you need to know about forming a S-Corp in Arizona. Filing fees, requirements, timeline, and step-by-step guidance.
Want this turned into your personalized S-Corp roadmap for Arizona?
Sign up free — we'll track every step, deadline, and what comes after the LLC.
How to File
Choose a Corporate Name
Select a unique name for your S-Corporation that complies with Arizona naming rules and includes a required designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' or an abbreviation thereof. Search the Arizona Corporation Commission's name availability database to confirm your desired name is not already in use.
30 minutes
Appoint a Statutory Agent
Designate a statutory agent (Arizona's term for registered agent) who has a physical street address in Arizona and is available during normal business hours to receive legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of the corporation. The agent can be an individual Arizona resident or a business entity authorized to do business in Arizona.
1-2 hours
File Articles of Incorporation with the ACC
Prepare and file Articles of Incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), including the corporate name, statutory agent information, number of authorized shares, incorporator details, and directors. This can be filed online through the ACC eCorp portal or by mail, with a filing fee of $60.
1-2 hours
Publish Notice of Incorporation
Arizona requires corporations to publish a Notice of Incorporation in an approved newspaper of general circulation in the county of the statutory agent's address for three consecutive publications within 60 days of ACC approval. This is a mandatory step unique to Arizona and publication costs typically range from $30 to $100 depending on the publication.
3 weeks (publication period)
What's Next After Filing
Once your S-Corp is officially formed, you'll want to complete these important steps:
- •Create Corporate Bylaws and Organizational Minutes — Draft corporate bylaws that govern the internal operations of your corporation, including meeting procedures, officer roles, voting rights, and shareholder rules. Hold an organizational meeting of the initial board of directors to adopt bylaws, appoint officers, issue initial shares, and document these actions in meeting minutes.
- •Obtain EIN and Elect S-Corporation Status — Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS at no cost, then file IRS Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) to elect S-Corporation tax treatment. The election must be filed no later than two months and 15 days after the beginning of the tax year for which it is to be effective, and all shareholders must consent.
- •Register for Arizona State Taxes and Licenses — Register with the Arizona Department of Revenue for applicable state taxes, including transaction privilege tax (TPT) if selling goods or certain services, and withholding tax if you have employees. Obtain any required local business licenses from the city or county where the corporation operates, as requirements vary by municipality.
Advantages
- ✓Pass-through taxation avoids double taxation — profits and losses flow directly to shareholders' personal tax returns, avoiding federal corporate income tax at the entity level.
- ✓Shareholders who are active in the business may reduce self-employment tax liability by paying themselves a reasonable salary and taking additional income as distributions, which are not subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.
- ✓S-Corporations provide limited liability protection, shielding shareholders' personal assets from the corporation's debts and legal liabilities.
- ✓Arizona does not impose a state franchise tax on S-Corporations, making it a relatively low-cost state for ongoing S-Corp maintenance compared to states like California.
- ✓The S-Corporation structure lends credibility and a formal business structure that can be attractive to investors, lenders, and potential business partners.
Considerations
- •S-Corporations face strict IRS eligibility restrictions: no more than 100 shareholders, only one class of stock, and all shareholders must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents — limiting flexibility for complex ownership structures.
- •Arizona's mandatory publication requirement adds cost, time, and administrative burden not found in most other states, with publication fees ranging from $30 to $100 or more.
- •S-Corporations require more formalities than LLCs, including holding annual meetings, maintaining minutes, adopting bylaws, and adhering to stricter recordkeeping requirements, which increases administrative overhead.
Annual Obligations
What OpenChamber Does
We don't file paperwork for you — we guide you through doing it yourself, which saves money and helps you understand your business from day one.
Personalized Checklist
Every task you need, organized by priority and tailored to Arizona.
Vetted Professionals
When you need help, we connect you with professionals we trust.
Progress Tracking
Never lose track of where you are or what's next.
Track Your Progress
Get a personalized checklist for forming your S-Corp in Arizona — and everything that comes after.
Get Your Free Checklist