Form an S-Corp in Alaska the Right Way — For Free!

Start by picking a unique name that meets Alaska’s rules. Your name must include words like corporation, company, incorporated, or limited (or their abbreviations). It also can’t be deceptively similar to another registered name in Alaska.

You can conduct a name search online for the name’s availability. Once you’ve confirmed availability, you can reserve the name for up to 120 days if you’re not ready to file right away. Everything is protected by the Corporation Statute AS 10.06.

Once your business name is chosen, grab a matching domain name. Even if you don’t plan to create a site yet, purchasing a domain name early prevents someone else from taking it. This will make your online presence easier to manage.

Similar to the business name, check domain availability through registrars and secure both the .com and local extensions if that serves your business. This lays the groundwork for your website later and ensures your online identity is consistent.

The state of Alaska requires every corporation or LLC to list a registered agent with a physical Alaska address. The registered agent acts on behalf of your business and receives legal notices and state correspondence during normal business hours.

You need to choose someone or a service that’s reliable and conversant with all Alaskan laws. This is important because you need your S-Corp in Alaska to remain in good standing as far as compliance is concerned, and make it easily reachable.

You’ll need to file Articles of Incorporation (for a corporation) or Articles of Organization (for an LLC) online or by mail. The filing fee is $250, and you’ll receive a stamped Certificate of Incorporation or Organization once approved.

Additionally, you need to file an Initial Report within six months. This should be followed by a Biennial Report every two years for $100. Both of these files will ensure your S-Corp in Alaska remains complaints with all the state laws.

Your newly formed business needs a framework that clearly describes internal operations and structure. So you need to draft an operating agreement that outlines ownership percentages, decision‑making roles, and how the profits are divided.

The operating agreement also covers how internal disagreements are resolved and the voting rights accorded to all individuals. This document serves as the official playbook that details how every department of your S-Corp in Alaska is managed.

Next, you need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. You can apply for it online for free. An EIN is needed whether you have employees or not, because your S‑Corp in Alaska must have a tax ID for payroll and federal filings.

The EIN is also required when you open a business bank account and when you file IRS Form 2553 to elect S‑Corp status. Therefore, getting the EIN is not something you can skip or postpone. Without it, you won’t be able to proceed with registration.

To make your Alaska entity an S‑Corp in tax terms, you need to complete IRS Form 2553. It must be signed by all shareholders and filed by the 15th day of the third month of your tax year, or as soon as you complete your Alaska S-Corp formation.

Once accepted, income and losses pass through to owners and aren’t taxed at the corporate level. You should get confirmation from the IRS within 60 days. After that, your business officially becomes an S‑Corp in Alaska for all federal tax purposes.

Once you have your EIN, entity documents, and S‑Corp election confirmation, open a dedicated business bank account. You need to use your legal business name and provide the necessary EIN and all the formation documents that you’ll be asked for.

The reason for a separate business bank account is to make accounting and bookkeeping cleaner. It protects your personal assets and presents a professional image when dealing with lenders, tax authorities, and any other involved agency.

A Doing Business As is an assumed trade name that you give to your business for branding purposes. Since it’s different from your legal entity name, you must apply for it through the business licensing section, not the corporation registry.

A DBA can make your branding easier or support multiple business lines under one S‑Corp in Alaska. It doesn’t change your legal structure; you’re still subject to the same regulations and laws if you were to use your official business name.

Depending on your industry or location in Alaska, you may need local business licenses and other regulatory approvals. Whether it’s a consulting business, a flower shop, or a freelance business, Alaska does not impose any statewide sales tax.

That said, no matter the nature of your business, never assume that you don’t need a license to operate. To avoid problems, check with the city or borough where you operate. You can also check the state licensing board for a list of legal requirements.

Get insurance policies appropriate for your business type to protect yourself from unforeseen accidents. Some common insurance options include general liability insurance, professional liability, and workers’ compensation if you have employees.

Besides physical damage from natural disasters, insurance also protects your assets in lawsuits. Even though Alaska doesn’t explicitly require business insurance when forming an S-Corp, it’s smart to review your exposure and get appropriate coverage.

The next step is establishing a bookkeeping system, and you can either use accounting software or hire a professional bookkeeper. The main purpose of this step is to manage income, expenses, payroll, and distributions to avoid stress.

Having an accounting system in place is also highly recommended for tax audits. When the IRS comes knocking on your door, you need to have all your accounts in an organized state. This makes the audit process smooth and saves you time.

With your domain and legal structure set, you can now build a simple website. Include your business name, services or products, contact info, and a clear privacy policy. Having an official site reinforces credibility and helps customers find you.

Start with a basic website that helps with marketing, then slowly expand it over time with ecommerce, blogs, or online booking as your business grows. Just having an online presence is not only good for your brand presence, but it’s also professional.

Finally, you need to comply with all the state reporting requirements. File your Biennial Report every two years by January 2 of the formation year and pay the $100 fee. Don’t forget to also file your Initial Report within six months of formation.

Furthermore, keep track of any required license renewals, tax filings, payroll filings, and changes in ownership or address (which may require updates). Following all these rules is vital to keep your S‑Corp in Alaska in good standing and active.

This plan includes everything in the Free Plan, plus these extras:

• First Meeting Minutes & Resolutions: Host your first official meeting and receive professionally written documents.

• Corporate Bylaws/LLC Operating Agreement: Create essential documents using guided templates and instructions.

• Stock or Ownership Certificates: Issue legal proof of ownership using standard templates and expert help.

• Corporate Forms Package: Editable templates for various forms to help you stay efficient and organized.

• Federal EIN: Get help with a meticulous application process to quickly obtain your Employer ID Number.

• Compliance Reminders: Timely alerts for filings and legal deadlines for compliance, and to avoid issues.

• Free Web Domain + 5 Business Emails: Set up your business online with a domain and five email accounts.

• In-depth Tax Planning: An expert will assist with strategic planning to reduce your Alaska S-Corp’s tax bill.

If you want more than just formation, like essential business tools and compliance help, this plan offers great value for your Alaska S-Corp.

The final plan is called Fasttrack, and it includes everything in the Starter plan plus the following:

• Customer Success Advisor: You’ll get a real person to walk you through each step of forming your S-Corp in Alaska. If you’re stuck or unsure about something, they’ll break things down in a way that’s easy to understand.

• Private Banking Expert: This plan gives you direct help from someone who knows how to set up a proper business bank account. They’ll ensure everything is structured correctly so you can avoid future complications.

• Business Strategy Advice: You’ll get to talk with people who’ve worked with many small business owners before. You’ll receive practical, proven strategies to support your long-term business growth.

• Priority Filing: Your legal documents are processed ahead of others. That means your S-Corp in Alaska gets processed faster, and you can get started sooner. This small speed boost can make a big difference.

Pick Fasttrack if you want expert support and speed. It’s the only plan that includes expedited service, making it ideal for those in a hurry to launch.