Can a corporation have a single owner?
John Johnson
Updated on March 15, 2026
Even if your business has only one owner—you—it can still be legally organized as a corporation, with you as the sole shareholder as well as the president and director. One-owner corporations are common.
What is a single owner corporation?
The business is its own entity, and you as the owner are the sole shareholder and an employee. That division, however, comes with operational costs. To create an S corporation, you have to file articles of incorporation with the state, appoint officers and create bylaws for the business.
Can a single person be the sole owner of a company?
After all, corporations need to have boards of directors and hold shareholder meetings — which sounds more like a room full of suits than a single person working from home. However, all states do allow corporations to have just one owner. You can be the sole shareholder, director and officer for your company.
Can a single owner corporation have more than one director?
1. Can I Have a Single Shareholder Corporation? Yes. All states allow a single shareholder to create and run a corporation. And all states allow it to have just one director as well. So you can be the sole shareholder, director and officer for your company.
Who are the members of a single person corporation?
Shareholders own the company via stock. They elect members to the board of directors. The board of directors represents shareholder interests to guide the company. Board members appoint the officers. Officers manage the company on a day-to-day basis. The same structure applies to a single shareholder corporation.
How to create single shareholder board of directors?
Identify the basic structure: In a single shareholder corporation, the same person occupies the positions of shareholder, board member, and officer. Appoint a board of directors: Prepare meeting minutes that demonstrate that you have elected yourself as a director.