(a) The articles of incorporation must prescribe the classes of shares and the number of shares of each class that the corporation is authorized to issue. Authorized stock refers to the maximum number of shares a company is legally permitted to issue, as outlined in its corporate charter."Authorized shares" refers to the number of shares the corporation is allowed to issue under its certificate or articles of incorporation. In order to receive the automatic state extension, you MUST fill in the "Federal Extension" circle on page 1 of Form CD-401S. Every state demands that you supply three basic facts about your business: its corporate name, its registered agent and the number of authorized shares. Every state demands that you supply three basic facts about your business: its corporate name, its registered agent and the number of authorized shares. Taxpayers wishing to deduct their pro rata share of these. This somewhat complicated annual franchise tax can be calculated two different ways: the Authorized Shares Method and the Assumed Par Value Capital Method. Outstanding shares are the subset of authorized shares that are currently in the hands of shareholders.