This may be a dumb question, but why is franchise tax a thing? In BC I pay corporate income tax (calculated on the same form as federal income tax) and a $45 annual report filing fee, but that's all.
Delaware corporations that do not conduct business in Delaware do not pay any corporate income tax. So the franchise tax is a way for Delaware to generate revenue from all of the Delaware corporations that do not conduct business in Delaware.
Hmm, interesting. I suppose that makes sense -- although I think there's an argument to be made that rather than trying to monetize being an incorporation hub, they should just be happy with all the jobs this creates for Delaware lawyers.