Choosing a Business Structure
Choose wisely when selecting your business structure!
When starting a business, one of your most important decisions you will make is when you choose the type of legal structure for your company. Your choice of business structure will impact how you will need to pay your taxes and it will determine the types of paperwork you will need to file. Also, your business structure will determine how you will be able to distribute your profits or sell off shares of your business.
Some business structures require the formation of a board, where you will need to hold meetings, create written minutes and keep significant documentation. Each business structure has its own tax consequences.
Since each business is unique, and each business formation requires a specific set of filing requirements, it is wise to consult with an experienced business attorney to help you get your business set up appropriately. Below is a chart with a brief overview of various legal business structures you can choose from when setting up your new business.
To get help with the formation of your new business structure, give the Burgfechtel Law Offices a call!
Business Structure |
Ownership |
Liability |
Taxes |
---|---|---|---|
Sole Proprietorship |
One Person |
Unlimited personal liability |
Personal taxes only |
Partnerships |
Two or more people |
Unlimited personal liabilityunless structured as a limited partnership |
Self employment tax (except for limited partners);Personal tax |
LimitedLiability Company(LLC) |
One or more people |
Owners are not personally liable |
Self employment tax,Personal tax or corporate tax |
Corporation(C Corp) |
One or more people, |
Owners are not personally liable |
Corporate tax |
Corporation(S Corp) |
One or more people,but not more than 100.All must be U.S. citizens |
Owners are not personally liable |
Personal tax |
CorporationNon-Profit |
One or more people |
Owners are not personally liable |
Tax exempt,but corporate profits cannot be distributed |