Corporations Flashcards
(191 cards)
shareholders
owners of corporation
board of directors
in charge of management of the corporation
officers
agents of the corporation appointed to carry out the corporations policy
who is liable for the corporations obligations?
only the corporation itself can be held liable for corporate obligations
is ownership of a corporation freely transferable
yes
Taxation of a C Corporation
1) profits taxed as an entity distinct from its
owner and
2) Shareholders pay income taxes on distributions
taxation of an S corporation
May elect to be taxed as a partnership…
SO, not subject to double taxation.
1) profits NOT taxed as an entity distinct from its owner and
2) Shareholders pay income taxes on distributions
Restrictions on S corporations
stock can be held by no more than 100 persons, generally shareholders must be individuals, and
there can be only one class of stock
de jure corporation
formed in accordance with law
de facto
not all corporate laws have been followed but corporation is recognized through estoppel
How to create a de jure corporation
paper– articles of incorporation
person– the incorporator
act– corporate existence begins on filing
what must articles of incorporation contain
- name of the corp.
- name and address of each incorporator
- registered agent and street address of the registered office
Ultra Vires Acts
Activities beyond the scope of
the stated business purposes
common law approach to Ultra Vires Acts
void and unenforceable
MBCA approach to Ultra Vires Acts
generally enforceable, but can only be raised in three situations
— A shareholder may sue the corporation to enjoin a proposed ultra vires act;
— The corporation may sue an officer or director for damages for approving an ultra vires act; and
— The state may bring an action to dissolve a corporation for committing an ultra vires act.
what happens at the organizational meeting
purpose of the meeting is to “complete the organization of the corporation,” which means (1) adopt initial bylaws and (2) appoint officers.
what are bylaws
internal documents; operating manual
when the articles of incorporation and the bylaws conflict, what governs?
articles
B Corp
formed for profit and also to pursue some benefit to a broader social policy cause.
Decision makers must consider the impact of decisions not only on shareholders, but also on the broader community or environment.
If the corporation incurs a debt, commits a tort, or breaches a contract, are the shareholders personally liable for that debt?
no
Requirements for Defacto Corporation
- There must be a relevant incorporation statute
he parties made a good faith, color able attempt to comply - with the statute, meaning the parties tried and came close to forming a corporation; and
- There has been some exercise of corporate privileges, meaning the parties were acting as though they thought there was a corporation.
Incorporators put together the proper documents and mail them to the Secretary of State. Unbeknownst to them, the documents are ost in the mail. In the meantime, the business is being operated as a corporation, and enters a contract. Are the shareholders personally liable on the contract?
yes, unless court finds a defacto corporation
corporaiton by estoppel
persons who have dealt with the entity as if it were a corporation will be estopped from denying the corporation’s existence
corporation by estoppel appilies in what kinds of cases?
contract cases (not tort)