Delaware: corporate income tax, a franchise (privilege) tax and an annual report required.
Each fact below cites the agency page we read and the day we read it. Where a rule is still being confirmed, the page says so instead of showing a zero.
Verified facts
Corporate income tax
Yes
8.7 percent of federal taxable income allocated and apportioned to Delaware
Franchise or privilege
Yes
All corporations incorporated in Delaware must file an annual report and pay a franchise tax for the privilege of being incorporated; the tax is administered by the Secretary of State's Division of Corporations. Minimum $175 under the Authorized Shares method and $400 under the Assumed Par Value…
Entity annual report
Yes
Received no later than March 1 of each year with the franchise tax payment; penalty for not filing a completed annual report by March 1 is $200 and interest runs at 1.5 percent per month
Return due date
Published rule
April 15 of the following year
Extension
Not verified
'A request for an automatic extension of six months to the Internal Revenue Service will automatically extend by six months the filing date for the Delaware return.' and 'a timely filed extension extends the due date for filing a final return but does not…
Not verifiedZero activity / minimum tax
A corporation doing business in Delaware must file Form CIT-TAX 'regardless of the amount, if any, of its gross income or its taxable income.' A Delaware corporation whose activities are limited to…
Long-form guide in professional review
Dates, extensions and payments
Filing and payment dates stay separate wherever the source supports it.
- Filing
Return filing
April 15 of the following year
15th day of the fourth month following the close of the fiscal year
- Entity report
Entity report
Received no later than March 1 of each year with the franchise tax payment; penalty for not filing a completed annual report by March 1 is $200 and interest runs at 1.5 percent per month
Corporations with tax of $5,000 or more pay estimated franchise tax in quarterly installments (40 percent June 1, 20 percent September 1, 20 percent December 1, remainder March 1). Electronic filing of domestic corporation annual reports…
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Frequently asked questions
Does Delaware impose a corporate income tax?
Yes. 8.7 percent of federal taxable income allocated and apportioned to Delaware Form: Form CIT-TAX, Delaware Corporate Income Tax Return.
Does Delaware charge a franchise or privilege tax?
Yes. Check the fact chip and the linked official source before budgeting for it.
When is the Delaware corporate return due?
April 15 of the following year
Does an extension also postpone the tax payment?
No. The extension moves the filing date, not the payment date; unpaid tax can accrue penalty and interest.
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