That all depends. The type of business, tax consequences, liability protections, and goals all impact what type of entity will provide your business with the ability to meet your goals. It is important to take the time to discuss what your business will be doing, how it will be doing it, and what the goals of your business are with your attorney. Today’s blog focuses on some of the different types of entities that can be utilized.
“C” or regular corporations, taxed at the corporate level and again at the shareholder (equity owner) level upon distribution of dividends, i.e. company profits, for federal income tax purposes. Many of these are incorporated under state for profit corporate/business laws. Corporations provide a strong measure of liability protection for the shareholders as against company debts and liabilities (but not for personally guaranteed debts of the business as required by banks and other creditors from time to time).
“S” corporations, which are mostly taxed only at the shareholder level for federal income tax purposes (even when no distributions are made to the shareholders). Many of these are incorporated under state for profit corporate/business laws as with the “C” corporations but must elect “S” status with the IRS and otherwise qualify under the Internal Revenue Code, Sections 1361 and 1362, Internal Revenue Code.
Sole proprietorships require no formal organization with the state. A sole proprietorship is essentially an unincorporated business with only one owner. Each owner has unlimited personal liability for the debts and liabilities of the business. For federal income tax purposes, there is only one level of tax, i.e. imposed on the owner.
Partnerships, which require no formal organization with the state save for limited partnerships (i.e. those offering some equity to limited partners with limited powers and authority). These must have two or more equity owners. General partners have unlimited personal liability exposure for the debts and liabilities of the business while limited partners do not. For federal income tax purposes there is only one level of tax, i.e. on the partners, limited or general.
LLCs, which are roughly hybrid entities of corporations and either sole proprietorships or partnerships depending upon the number of equity owners. These must be formed by state charter as with corporations. LLCs offer perhaps the most flexibility for tax and non-tax reasons in that LLCs offer a single level of tax (i.e. generally as either a sole proprietorship or partnership) sans the complexity and restrictions of “S” corporations, while providing the limited liability protections afforded the equity owners of most kinds of corporations. Note also that an LLC can be taxed as a “C” or “S” corporation, sole proprietorship or partnership.
The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney. Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced attorney. All information contained in links are the property of the linked site.