Delaware franchise tax gross assets and Schedule L
A source-record guide for Delaware founders checking gross assets before using the Assumed Par Value Capital Method.
Summary
For Delaware's Assumed Par Value Capital Method, total gross assets must come from company records and should reconcile to a year-end balance sheet or Schedule L-style asset support. Do not use revenue, cash balance only, enterprise value, consolidated parent assets, or a guessed runway number.
Gross assets are balance-sheet support, not startup revenue.
| Input | Total gross assetsNeeded for Assumed Par Value calculation. |
|---|---|
| Record support | Balance sheet / Schedule L-style factsUse standalone company records where possible. |
| Hard stop | Consolidated or missing supportRequires professional or official review. |
What to collect
Collect the corporation's year-end balance sheet, tax return Schedule L support if available, bank and brokerage records, cap table records, and notes explaining any standalone-versus-consolidated asset issue.
Example
A corporation has no revenue but raised $500,000 and has $420,000 cash plus equipment at year end. The gross-asset input is not zero just because the income statement shows no sales.
When to stop
Stop for consolidated statements, missing books, intercompany balances, foreign parent accounting, uncertain tax return support, mergers, conversions, no-par shares, or Large Corporate Filer questions.
Common questions
Can I use zero gross assets because revenue was zero?
No. Revenue and gross assets are different facts. A pre-revenue startup can still have cash, receivables, equipment, deposits, or other assets.
Can Delaware Franchise Desk decide my Schedule L amount?
No. It can organize the entered gross-asset fact and compare methods, but the company remains responsible for the official source record.
Related guides
When is Delaware Franchise Tax due?
The March 1 annual report and franchise tax deadline for active domestic Delaware corporations.
Delaware franchise tax minimum and annual report fee
The minimum tax and filing fee numbers founders should separate before comparing methods.
Does a zero-revenue Delaware corporation still owe franchise tax?
A direct answer for founders whose Delaware corporation has no revenue but still received a franchise tax or annual report notice.
Official sources
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