Delaware is one of the world’s most popular jurisdictions to incorporate a company. Nearly half of US publicly traded companies and more than 65 percent of all Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware. Including giants such as Apple, Coca-Cola, Google, and Wal-Mart.
Delaware stands out for its separate Court of Chancery, the oldest business court in the US, specialized corporate law cases. The Court of Chancery use judges instead of juries and are usually expertized in complex corporate law matters.
Delaware Court maintains the most advanced and up-to-date case law, that allows for predictability and therefore decreasing liability and litigation among Delaware companies.
These predictable laws allow corporations to make better assessments of the probable outcomes of litigation or the advisability of settling a case.
The legal and liability protection of established corporate laws in Delaware makes the jurisdiction one of the most reputable business-friendly states.
The State of Delaware has also an attractive tax regime. Delaware corporations doing business exclusively outside of the State are exempt from State tax. Furthermore, there is no inheritance tax on stock held by non-Delaware residents, no state sales tax on intangible personal property and share of stock owned by non-residents are not subject to Delaware taxes.
Companies incorporated in Delaware are confidential. Details of shareholders, directors, and officers are not disclosed in the company formation documents and are not available to the public.
Delaware corporations are flexible structures, the same person may be the sole shareholder, the director, and the officer.
In addition, it has one of the quickest company registration procedures and lowest costs of incorporations in all United States.
Delaware is an excellent jurisdiction for startups and companies seeking financing. Venture capitalists, angel investors, investments banks and other investors prefer Delaware corporations above all other states and corporate structures.