"Authorized shares" refers to the number of shares the corporation is allowed to issue under its certificate or articles of incorporation. Authorized stock is the maximum number of shares that a corporation is legally permitted to issue, as specified in its articles of incorporation.New York requires a statement of the number of authorized shares and whether the shares are with par value or without par value. Section 501 - Authorized shares (a) Every corporation shall have power to create and issue the number of shares stated in its certificate of incorporation. Authorized shares are the maximum number of shares that a company is permitted to issue to investors, as laid out in its articles of incorporation. Authorized shares, or authorized stock, are simply a legally allowed maximum number of shares that a company can issue to investors. This somewhat complicated annual franchise tax can be calculated two different ways: the Authorized Shares Method and the Assumed Par Value Capital Method. Authorized stock refers to the maximum number of shares a company is legally permitted to issue, as outlined in its corporate charter.