Frequently Asked Questions

Which states provide specific tax information on the Certificate of Existence and which states keep such records confidential?

The Certificate of Existence, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing or a Certificate of Authorization, is a state-issued document that verifies a company's compliance with statutory requirements and its authorization to conduct business in that state. However, the information provided on these certificates varies from state to state. For instance, some states like Delaware provide specific tax information on the Certificate of Existence. This is not the norm, though, as most tax-related information is typically obtained from the Department of Revenue. On the other hand, states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas provide tax information without requiring consent. Despite this, the majority of states maintain the confidentiality of such tax records. It's important to note that the Certificate of Existence primarily indicates the company's status in relation to compliance and statutory requirements for good standing. The Certificate of Existence should not be confused with the Certificate of Incorporation or the Certificate of Organization. The former only contains the business's name, current status, and information regarding whether the business has filed an annual report and is up-to-date on its state fee payments.