Can I Convert a Corporation to an LLC?

Throughout the course of a corporation’s existence, it is not uncommon to make changes to the company name, stock structure, Registered Agent or other information listed on the original Certificate of Incorporation.  

In addition, for various business or tax reasons, a Delaware corporation may determine to convert to a Delaware LLC. The filing is typically done when the entity has determined there is no need to issue shares of stock in order to raise capital.   

The LLC structure eliminates the Board of Directors, officers and shareholders as well as all the internal meeting and reporting requirements for each of those, which makes an LLC very easy to operate and maintain.

The Delaware LLC structure is also more flexible than a corporation, as an LLC Operating Agreement may contain provisions and terms that would not be permissible in the context of a Delaware corporation.

The corporate laws of Delaware allow a corporation to convert to an LLC with relative ease. The Delaware General Corporation Law states:

“[a]ny other entity may convert to a domestic limited liability company by complying with subsection (h) of this section and filing in the office of the Secretary of State.”

- § 18-214 Conversion of certain entities to a limited liability company

Under Delaware law, this statutory conversion means that the assets and liabilities of the corporation are transferred over to the new entity because the corporation simply becomes the LLC.

In addition, any legal claims against the former corporation remain valid against the resulting LLC. There is no need to terminate the existence of the corporation; rather, the corporation simply rolls over into the new entity, i.e., the LLC.

Contracts agreed to by the corporation remain in force to the LLC without reissuing them.

Converting a corporation to an LLC requires a two-part filing composed of a Certificate of Conversion (effecting the conversion) and a Certificate of Formation (memorializing the new LLC formation). 

A Certificate of Conversion is filed to change from one entity type to another with the state of Delaware’s Division of Corporations. The Certificate of Conversion filed with the state must contain the following information:

• The original corporation’s name
• The original jurisdiction of formation for the corporation (whether Delaware or another state) and the original date of incorporation
• The name of the new LLC mentioned in the contemporaneously filed Certificate of Formation

The Certificate of Formation filed with the Certificate of Conversion formalizes the new entity.   This Certificate must have the following information listed:

• The name of the new Delaware LLC
• The name and address of the Delaware Registered Agent

The last step of the process requires that the converting corporation pay the Delaware Franchise Tax as well as the annual report for the corporation; these must accompany the conversion filing for the current and following years that the Franchise Taxes are due. 

Once the Certificate of Conversion and the Certificate of Formation are executed, the Delaware Franchise Taxes are paid and the annual report completed, the filing can be submitted to the state of Delaware.

The state of Delaware will approve the filing by affixing a time-date stamp to the documents. Once the filings are completed, the former corporation becomes a valid Delaware LLC with a legal existence.   

In previous years, the former corporation’s annual report was required to include the following:

• The corporation’s principal place of business
• The names and addresses of all directors
• The name and address of one officer 
• Authorization to file the annual report by a director or officer
• Gross assets and issued shares if the corporation had more than 10,000 shares of authorized stock

However, in the entity’s new form of LLC, the year after the conversion to an LLC, it will no longer be required to file an annual report. The LLC‘s annual filing with the state of Delaware will require only a $300 Franchise Tax payment due by June 1. No other annual report is required.  

Keep in mind, converting from a corporation to an LLC can have significant tax consequences, which should be discussed with an accountant or a tax attorney. 

Feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable staff with any questions about the conversion process.  We are here to assist you with all your Delaware business organization needs and questions.

For the reverse conversion