Common questions
What is a limited liability company?
A limited liability company, or LLC, is a business entity created under state law that combines characteristics of both a corporation and a partnership. Like a corporation, the owners of an are generally not personally liable for company debts. Like a sole proprietorship or a partnership, an LLC is, by default, a “pass through” entity for tax purposes. This means that the LLC does not pay taxes on its profits, but instead, profits and losses are “passed through” to the owners, who must then pay tax on their share of LLC income.
How does a corporation protect my personal assets?
If a business operates as a corporation, the business owners, called shareholders, are not personally liable for debts or other claims against the corporation. That’s because the corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners. If a corporation complies with the formalities required for it to be treated as a separate legal entity, then anyone seeking to collect a debt from, or enforce a claim against, a corporation, would not be able to collect from the shareholders themselves. They would only be able to pursue the assets held in the name of the corporation.
What is the difference between a C corporation and an S corporation?
The IRS allows corporations to choose to be taxed as either a “C corporation” or an “S corporation.” Income from C corporations are subject to double taxation; that is, the corporation pays taxes on its net income and then the shareholders also pay taxes on the income that they receive from the corporation. S corporations have only one level of taxation. The shareholders still have to pay taxes on money that they receive from the corporation, but an S corporation does not pay taxes on its net income. While the S corporation is popular among small business owners, C corporations have greater tax planning flexibility and can shield shareholders from direct tax liability.
Do I need a name or DBA for my business?
You only need a DBA (“doing business as”) if you are operating a sole proprietorship or partnership and you want to use a fictitious name for the business. You don’t need a DBA for an LLC or a corporation unless you are using a name other than your LLC or corporate name while doing business.
Do I need any other licenses or permits to start my business?
