A shelf corporation is a company that was formed before you acquired it.  The purpose is to provide a competitive edge for the entrepreneur who acquires the shelf company.  It's a company placed "on the shelf" for the purpose of immediate availability and start-up.  An aged shelf corporation is company that was aged for two or more years, with the objective of immediate credibility and access to the buyer.

WHY A SHELF CORPORATION?

A shelf corporation provides the following advantages:

• Open doors to bidding opportunities that are closed to younger companies.
• Immediate credibility because of the age of the company.  Customers, lenders, and investors prefer to do business with an established company than a start-up.  Age enhances the company's position in the marketplace.  Customers have less objections.
  • Lenders prefer to extend credit to companies that are at least two years old rather than two weeks old.
  • Clients prefer to buy and contract with companies that will be there next year.
• Age implies stability and long-lasting relationships.
• Immediate access to an aged shelf corporation means that the buyer doesn't need to wait at least two years to make it happen.
• Limited Liability:  An aged shelf corporation will protect the stockholders from the liabilities of the corporation.  Aged shelf corporations offer the same protection as a new corporation.  The age of the company does not enhance the protection.  The benefit of an aged corporation remains with the access to financing, quick access, and instant credibility.

WHAT IS A GOOD PRICE FOR A SHELF CORPORATION?

We sell many shelf corporations approaching three years of age for $1000, or less.  Many of our competitors charge twice or thrice that amount.  We offer fast service, quick turnaround, tracking numbers for delivery, and we email you a copy of the documents.   

HOW MUCH CREDIT IS POSSIBLE WITH AN AGED SHELF CORPORATION?

Many business owners are obtaining financing in the amount of $100,000 or less.  Any claim that a buyer, of a shelf corporation, is able to obtain more than $100,000 in financing is probably not telling the truth.  Building any corporate credit is like climbing a ladder; it takes time and effort. 

WHAT ARE THE TWO BASIC TYPES OF SHELF CORPORATIONS?

The two types of aged shelf corporations are the following:

An aged shelf corporation with no established corporate credit, no Employer Identification Number, no bank account.

This is the "safe" type of shelf corporation. 

• There's no EIN.  An EIN is obtained at no cost from the IRS.
• No bank account
• No history of business transactions.  This makes the company safe.  A company with no business history is a company with no risk of fraudulent tax returns, no history of bad deals, and no creditors. 
• No back taxes, litigation or other problems.  A clean aged company means that you can build a future with a solid company.
• Requires work on the part of the buyer because the company is a clean slate
• Buyer must build the corporate credit profile of the company.

An aged shelf corporation with established corporate credit, EIN, bank account and operations

• Appears easy and ready-made because it has an established EIN, bank account and credit; however,
  • The EIN number must be re-applied for after the business changes hands. 
  • Signer on bank account must be changed at the bank.  This awkward for banks.  Further, the previous signer on the bank may have over-drafted the account.
  • DNB resets the Paydex score within 90 days after the company changes hands.
• Risk of lawsuits, debts and unpaid taxes.  Risk of unfiled tax returns, or the returns are not filed properly.  A shelf corporation with an existing history, and established credit, offers glaring disadvantages.  "Companies with established credit" are offered as an answer to obtaining "up to $500,000 in corporate credit."  This is not possible simply because you acquired a shelf corporation that's three years old.
• Appears to be ready-made but carries substantial risk of future damages.  After acquiring an aged shelf corporation, an IRS agent, debt collector or litigator may reach you to collect money on a claim against the company.  Many companies go out of business in their second or third year.  Marketers attempt to pass off these defunct companies as "shelf corporations" or "shelf LLC's."  DNB and other groups reset the credit of the company after it changes hands.  This means there's little to no benefit to obtaining an aged shelf corporation with established credit. 

MY AGED SHELF CORPORATION NEEDS AN EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.  HOW DO I GET ONE?

To obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your aged shelf corporation, apply here: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html

The application is free.  The EIN is necessary to file your taxes and to open a bank account.

DO I NEED A REGISTERED AGENT?

Every company needs a registered agent.  You are able to serve as a registered agent in the state in which you live.  For example, you may serve as a registered agent for your Montana shelf corporation in Montana.  If you don't live in Montana, then someone in Montana must serve as your registered agent.  If you file that Montana shelf corporation in the state in which you live (i.e. California), then you're able to serve as the registered agent in the state of California, for the foreign registration.

WHAT ARE THE BEST STATES TO OBTAIN AN AGED SHELF CORPORATION?

Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming are the best states to obtain an aged shelf corporation on an aged shelf LLC.  Why?  These states don't ask for a business license.  As such, you are considered the first owner of the company since there are no previous owners registered.  A change of ownership resets the age of the company, in terms of applying for corporate credit.  If you acquire an aged shelf corporation from Wyoming or New Mexico, there is no change of ownership.  These states don't collect information on the owners of the company.   As a result, there's no change of ownership reported.  The age of the company remains the same.

ARE MONTANA SHELF CORPORATIONS JUST AS GOOD AS THOSE FROM NEVADA?

Banking in Nevada is difficult and troublesome because of the transients and the widespread fraud.  Likewise, the audit rate for Nevada corporations is four times the annual average for the same company elsewhere.  This is because Nevada continues to promote that they have information sharing agreement with the IRS.  What is the truth?  Nevada sells their information to database companies, which sells the data to the IRS.  And what does it matter to you?  Acquiring a shelf corporation and building corporate credit requires that your name is on the company.  It requires that you're the applicant for the EIN and the applicant for the bank account.  There's no privacy from the IRS.  And yet, promoters of Nevada corporations still tout this bogus benefit.

Nevada is known for gambling, prostitution, mining and tourism.  Montana and Wyoming are known for oil and gas, ranching, agriculture, national defense and a pro-business atmosphere.  Nevada is deep in debt.  Montana and Wyoming are in great financial shape.   

STATE INCOME TAXES

If you I buy a Montana shelf corporation, must my business pay corporate income tax?  Yes, where you do business.  Banks will require the Montana corporation file do business where you are located, as the principal of the company.  If you're located in Texas, then you must file your Montana company in Texas, and pay Texas taxes.   Please check with your tax advisor.

CAN MY AGED SHELF CORPORATION DO BUSINESS OUT OF WYOMING IF I AM BUILDING CORPORATE CREDIT?

Banks want to see that the principal of the company and the company are located in the same state, and in the same general area.  If  you live in Texas, you should file the shelf corporation in Texas.  Likewise, if you should file the company, as a foreign corporation, in the state in which you live, or do business.

ARE YOUR AGED SHELF CORPORATIONS LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE?

We don't list the names of our Montana shelf corporations online.  This is to protect your interests.  Request a list of shelf corporations here.

HOW DO I OBTAIN BUSINESS TELEPHONE SERVICE IN MONTANA?

Obtain a MT telephone number by calling QWEST.COM at 1-800-449-0438.  As for a market expansion line.  This is a business line installed at the telephone company.  No onsite installation is required.  Calls are forwarded to your landline or cell phone.