Corporate Charter

A corporate charter might sound like a person who circles cities on a map where companies exist. It’s not. Because companies, uh...don’t need no stinking maps.

Instead, think about the founding documents of a corporation. Typically called a charter, these are the written documents that are filed in a state that outline the major parts of what makes the company a company. You might also call them “articles of incorporation.”

They might include the firm’s goals and an outline of their operations. They will include the founders and officers, and a short explanation of the firm’s structure. So when you hear someone say that they’re going to found a company in “Delaware” for tax purposes, know that it will require them to file these documents in the state.