Incorporation in Virginia

Find the right Business Incorporation attorney in Salem, VA

By Virginia law, a business that has incorporated is identified thereafter as its own legal entity. This means that the business can buy or sell property, offer and accept contracts and exercise legal rights in its own name. The Virginia Secretary of State receives and processes applications for incorporation, which must be submitted in compliance with local guidelines.

Benefits of Incorporation in Virginia

Certain advantages inure to a business in Virginia that has incorporated over one that has not. First, a corporation's liabilities can never go beyond the amount invested in the business by the owners. Had the business remained unincorporated, owners risk losing their personal property should the business become unable to satisfy its liabilities. Furthermore, a business that has not incorporated puts the unnecessary burden on creditors in the Salem area to evaluate the credit worthiness of individual owners rather than that of the business, making loans more difficult. Lastly, ownership of a corporation is divided into equal portions or "shares" of stock, which may be bought and sold much more easily than the ownership of an unincorporated business.

Costs of Incorporation

Incorporation can be costly. First, a modest filing fee might be charged in Virginia for any business that wants to incorporate. Also, a corporation is taxed as its own entity. Disbursements to the owners of the corporation are also taxed as individual income, so this means earnings might be taxed twice. But this double taxation can be avoided with proper planning and help from a local Salem lawyer.

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Life in Salem

Salem, Virginia is an independent city in central Virginia. It is physically located within the borders of Roanoke County, but as an independent city, it is not actually part of the county, nor under that county's jurisdiction. Nonetheless, the county courthouse is located in the city. Salem has a population of about 25,000 people.

Archeological digs show clear evidence of human habitation of the Salem area dating as far back as 8000 BCE (about 10,000 years ago). The first European settlements of Salem came in 1671, and it went on to serve important historical roles in the American Revolutionary War, and the Civil War. The city was officially founded in 1802, and to this day continues to preserve its small-town character in its beautiful natural setting.

Salem is faring pretty well economically - its median household income is about ,000 per year, and less than 7% of residents live below the poverty line, comparedto the nationwide rate of around 15%.

Salem, Virginia has a legal community that is dedicated to meeting the legal needs of the town's residents. If you need any legal services whatsoever, you should not hesitate to call a Salem, Virginia lawyer.

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