Business
The State of Delaware is a leading domicile for U.S. and international business entities. Businesses choose Delaware not for one single reason, but because we provide a complete package of business entity services.
Start a Small Business
Learn the steps to starting your own business and ways to get assistance, incentives, and other needed help.
Business First Steps
Do you have an idea for a new business? Use this site to get started on your State of Delaware licenses, certifications and permits. Already running a business? Use this site to get information about renewals or expansion, and connect to State Agencies.
Business One Stop
The registration and licensing portal for businesses operating in the State of Delaware
Division of Small Business
The State of Delaware has a new Division of Small Business, created to help small businesses succeed.
Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Reach out to get assistance with your business.
Small Business Assistance
Delaware Small Business Administration Office
Created in 1953, the SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
Serving New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties, and Coastal DelMarVa. Free, confidential, face to face business advice with a certified Mentor statewide
Tip / Reminder
Review the Incentives and Programs offered by the State of Delaware.
Incorporate in Delaware
Why Corporations Choose Delaware
More than one million business entities take advantage of Delaware's complete package of incorporation services, including modern and flexible corporate laws, our highly-respected Judiciary and legal community, a business-friendly government, and the customer-service-oriented staff of the Division of Corporations. You can also stay current on Delaware Corporate Law and explore more reasons why you should incorporate in Delaware.
Division of Revenue: Doing Business in Delaware
See step-by-step information about licensing, taxes, and related expenses when forming and registering a business entity in Delaware.
How to Form a New Business Entity
The State of Delaware is a leading domicile for U.S. and international business entities. Businesses choose Delaware not for one single reason, but because we provide a complete package of business entity services.
Labor Market Information
The Office of Occupational & Labor Market Information translates raw occupational and labor market data into concise workforce, employment, economic and demographic analyses.
Related Information
Tip / Reminder
Review the Incentives and Programs offered by the State of Delaware.
Expand or Relocate a Business
Find ways to grow and expand your business and take advantage of prgrams and incentives.
Why Delaware?
Find out why Delaware is the preferred location for companies from all over the world.
Business First Steps
Do you have an idea for a new business? Use this site to get started on your State of Delaware licenses, certifications and permits. Already running a business? Use this site to get information about renewals or expansion, and connect to State Agencies.
Incorporate in Delaware
Did you know almost a million business entities have their legal home in Delaware including more than 50% of all U.S. publicly-traded companies and 60% of the Fortune 500? To learn more about incorporating in Delaware--and the benefits of a Delaware incorporation--please visit the Incorporate in Delaware page.Small Business
If you have a small business, Delaware has assistance available to help nurture your business.
Delaware Prosperity Partnership
Created as a private entity to lead the state of Delaware's economic development efforts, this private entity is a critical step to enhance the state's ability to attract, grow and retain companies; to build a stronger entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem; and to support private employers in identifying, recruiting and developing talent.
Occupational Planning and Labor
Employment, Delaware Wage Statistics, Occupational and Industry Projections
Laws and Regulations
Incentives and Programs
Blue Collar Job Act
Tax Credit for the Creation of Employment & Qualified Investments in Business Facilities
Small Business Incentive Programs
Whatever size your business, whatever industry, whatever development stage, the state of Delaware may have an incentive or tax credit that can help you secure new capital or keep more revenue.
Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Providing world-class services that enable Delaware firms to acquire and apply technologies, utilize new resources, reduce waste, streamline processes and most importantly, drive sales growth.
Incentives Offered by the City of Wilmington
The City of Wilmington, through the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED), offers a comprehensive array of services with a personal touch designed to assist businesses considering a move to or expansion within Wilmington.
Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit
The Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Program encourages businesses and individuals who have a Delaware state tax liability to invest in programs serving impoverished neighborhoods or serving low- and moderate-income families. In exchange for a qualified contribution, the NAA program provides state tax credits equal to 50% of the investment. Each year a maximum of $1,000,000 in tax credits is available statewide. The maximum tax credit available to any taxpayer is $50,000 annually and $100,000 over three-year period.
Business Tax
Bank Franchise Tax
The bank franchise tax is imposed on banking organizations. Title 5, Delaware Code, Chapter 1, Section 101(7) defines banking organizations.
Corporate Franchise Tax
All corporations incorporated in the State of Delaware are required to file an Annual Report and to pay a franchise tax. Exempt domestic corporations do not pay a tax but must file an Annual Report.
Gross Receipts Tax Rates
Detailed list of division of revenue licenses and tax rates
Tax Forms
Business Tax Forms
An extensive list of business tax forms covering taxes, gross reciepts, licenses, partnerships, credits, withholding and others for various business sectors. Prior year business tax forms are available on the page
Insurance Premium Tax
The Premium Tax and Fees Section is responsible for the tax regulation of all insurance companies, whether admitted or non-admitted, that are authorized, approved, or registered to transact business in the state of Delaware.
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance Forms for Employers
Online Services
File Annual Franchise Tax Report
All corporations incorporated in the State of Delaware are required to file an Annual Report and to pay a franchise tax. Exempt domestic corporations do not pay a tax but must file an Annual Report.
UCC Online Filing System
The State of Delaware's online system for filing Uniform Commercial Code documents
Business Taxpayer Services
Online support from the Division of Revenue
Doing Business with the State
Take advantage of opportunities to buy and sell from the State of Delaware.
State Bid Solicitations Directory
The Bid Solicitation Directory is an index of links to various state agencies across all three branches of state government that have an open Request for Information (RFI), Invitation to Bid (ITB), and/or a Request for Proposal (RFP).
State Procurement Portal
An all-inclusive site providing information on how to do business with the state.
Buying from the State
Surplus Services E-mail Notification Signup
If you would like to receive a copy of the Surplus Services Bulletin and other Surplus Services information via email, you can subscribe to our list.
Surplus Services for Non-Profit Public Agencies
Surplus personal property may be donated through the State agency to public agencies and nonprofit, tax exempt activities.
Surplus Services State Property for Sale
Surplus Services sells large equipment type items for State Agencies. All items to be sold by Delaware Surplus Services through Invitation to Bid.
Surplus Services Vehicle Auctions
Delaware Surplus Services sells vehicles, heavy equipment and miscellaneous items on line all year long.
Contract and Award Lookup
Cooperative Contracts
A purchasing cooperative is a type of arrangement where entities aggregate their demand to obtain lower prices from suppliers. The Cooperative purchasing process offers State of Delaware agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, public libraries, and other political subdivisions, the benefits and costs savings of buying goods and services through contracts administered by other governmental entities, purchasing cooperatives and consortiums.
Set Aside Contracts
Certain State Contracts are awarded as internal contracts as authorized by the State Use Commission (which rests under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Social Services). Therefore, these contracts are not part of the normal bid process.
Related Information:
How to Sell to the State
Office of Supplier Diversity.
The Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) assists diverse suppliers: (minority, women, veteran, service disabled veteran, and individuals with disabilities owned businesses) and Small Business Focus (SBF) program vendors in competing for the provision of commodities, services, and construction to State departments, agencies, authorities, school districts, higher education institutions and all businesses.
State Bid Solicitations Directory
The Bid Solicitation Directory is the State's central repository across all three branches of state government that have an open Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation to Bid (ITB), and/or a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Vendor Subscription Service
Subscribe to receive an email when vendor contracting opportunities occur.
Procurement Unit Contacts
Contact information for the Office of Management and Budget, Government Support Services
Related Contracting Opportunities
Agribusiness
Get the facts on permits, licenses, and reports to join the business of agriculture production.
Compliance Information
Agricultural Compliance
The mission of the Agriculture Compliance section is to protect the consumer by administering a regulatory program for commercial feeds and pet foods, commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners, fertilizer and soil conditioners tonnage, liming materials, frozen desserts, and milk sold to commercial dairies.
Food Products Inspection
The Delaware Department of Agriculture Food Products Inspection assures that domestic meat and poultry products distributed to consumers are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and honestly and informatively labeled.
Permits and Licenses
Commercial Weighing and Measuring Devices License
The mission of the Weights and Measures Section is to safeguard the public in all matters involving commercial determinations of quantity. Inspection and testing procedures are designed to ensure the accuracy of all transactions whenever merchandise is bought or sold by weight, measure, or count, and to eliminate the potential for fraud, carelessness, and misrepresentations during such transactions.
Nursery License
The Nursery and Nursery Stock Law requires that any place where nursery stock is produced or any person who acquires plant material to resell or distribute, must hold a valid Nursery Industry License for each sales location prior to initiating business operations.
Pesticide Applicator Certification
Anyone buying or using a restricted use pesticide must be certified by the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA).
Pesticides Business License
A pesticide business license is required to engage in the business of applying pesticides to the property of another within this state for compensation.
Weighmaster License
The Weights and Measures section allows reciprocal registration for technicians registered in another state. Under the program, a serviceperson who can demonstrate current legal registration in any other state will be allowed to register in Delaware.
Pesticides
Dept. of Agriculture Pesticides Section
The mission of the Delaware Department of Agriculture Pesticides section is to provide the State of Delaware with an exceptional pesticide regulatory program which is educationally based, equitably enforced, and protective of the environment, crops, property, and the health and welfare of all citizens.
Searchable Pesticide Database
Search the Delaware Dept. Agriculture databases of pesticides. This information is compiled solely from pesticide registration data submitted by companies who wish their products to be sold in the state of Delaware, combined with data from the EPA with regard to ingredients, pests and sites.
Pesticide Rules and Regulations
Title 3, Section 600 of the Delaware Code establish the regulations for the general operating rules and procedures for the enforcement of the Delaware Pesticide Law.
Reports and Statistics on Delaware Agriculture (USDA)
Agricultural Marketing
he Delaware Department of Agriculture’s (DDA’s) Marketing Team is dedicated to enhance the economic viability and growth of agriculture in Delaware by promoting and advertising the competitive features and advantages of Delaware agricultural products through local, regional, national and international accounts, cooperatives, trade shows, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, processors, manufacturers, state institutions and other partnerships.
Agricultural Education Programs
The Delaware Department of Agriculture provides a wide range of educational programs for both students and adults to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of agriculture.
Agriculture Applications and Forms
Find applications and forms for the Delaware Aglands Preservation Program, Century Farm Program, and the Young Farmers Program.
Delaware Domestic Hemp Production Program
The Delaware Domestic Hemp Production Program has been approved by USDA. This site includes the Delaware Domestic Hemp Production Program Participant Guide and Forms required for all participants in the program.
Farmland Preservation
The Planning Section works to preserve Delaware’s agricultural heritage through farmland preservation and land-use planning.
Request an Environmental Review
The Species Conservation and Research Program (SCRP) continuously updates information on rare plant and animal species and vegetation communities in Delaware. The SCRP is the state’s most comprehensive, centralized source of information on rare plants, animals, and vegetation communities.
Related Information
