LLC is an abbreviation for limited liability company. As the name suggests, it offers limited liability protection to an owner’s assets. An LLC is not a separate tax entity, so any business income earned is “passed through” to the owners’ personal income tax. Some regulatory rules come with an LLC, but fewer than a corporation has.

An LLC is easy to set up, provides some personal liability protection, and isn’t subject to double taxation like a corporation is. The LLC owners pay taxes once on the profits of the business, which are passed through to their personal income tax returns. Federal taxes and state taxes are paid by the individual.?

This type of business formation is more commonly chosen by smaller organizations and individuals going into business. Setting up an LLC is generally simpler, less expensive, and faster than more complex structures like traditional corporations.

When it comes to FAQs about starting an LLC, most people want to know about costs. Along with normal business expenses, forming an LLC comes with both upfront costs and annual recurring costs. To learn more about costs, check out this guide.

Like any business entity, an LLC can be worth it if your business is profitable. An LLC is relatively low-cost compared to other business structures and allows for a lower taxation rate for small businesses. An LLC is worth it for many business owners with a good business plan and execution.

While an LLC offers much more protection than a sole proprietorship or partnership, that coverage is not universal. There are scenarios where personal assets are not protected by an LLC. An LLC is less expensive to set up than a corporation but more expensive than options like a sole proprietorship or partnership.?

In an LLC, members are not held liable for the actions of the company. Personal assets like cars, homes, and investments are protected from anyone seeking to collect from the company. Profits in an LLC are taxed through members’ individual tax returns instead of being taxed at the company level.

The formal requirements to set up an LLC are nominal. Before forming your LLC, you should have a business name that is not already in use by another business, a registered agent who can act as the company’s point of contact, and completed Articles of Organization, or formation documents, filed with the secretary of state.

An EIN is an employer identification number. It’s like a social security number for a business. Most businesses do need an EIN, especially those who hire employees. You can get an EIN by visiting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. After answering a few questions, the nine-digit number is issued to you instantly.

Most states require your business name to be unique. Review your state’s requirements and conduct a name search on the state’s business directory to ensure name availability. You can also do a name reservation too. To learn more about naming your business, check out this step-by-step guide.

Every state requires that an LLC designate a registered agent who will receive legal documents on behalf of the LLC. These legal documents might include things like tax notices or service of process paperwork, which are served during a lawsuit. Learn more about the requirements of a registered agent by reading this guide.

To become a new business, you must file LLC formation documents, usually called Articles of Organization, with the state. You’ll provide the LLC name, business address (that’s not a PO Box), and purpose and file the document online through the state website. Corporations file Articles of Incorporation.

While this is not required in every state, it is wise for each LLC to have a formal LLC Operating Agreement in place. This document will lay out the management structure and all financial, legal, and management rights of the members.

Once your startup is operating, you need to be sure you remain in good standing with your state. With this type of business, you must file an annual report, pay local taxes, renew business licenses, or do other steps required locally.

No. Corporations are taxed twice, once as a business and again on an owner’s personal taxes. With an LLC, the profits are passed to the owner’s personal income tax. There are no taxes at the business level, so an LLC is not subject to double taxation.

It’s ideal to set up a business bank account and keep your personal income and expense separate from the business. For tax purposes, it makes doing business a little easier. You should consider getting a business credit card too.

A corporation is a more formal business structure that has more rules than an LLC. The corporation is a separate entity for liability, taxes, and all other government regulations. Corporations have many annual regulations to follow and pay taxes differently than a single-member LLC or a manager-managed LLC.

A sole proprietorship is the easiest entity to set up. There’s little to no paperwork and no recurring filing requirements or fees. However, it doesn’t offer any liability protection either. An LLC does. An LLC does require formation paperwork, annual filings, filing fees, and state taxes, but liability protection is often worth it.?

Yes, there are companies that can help with the process of starting an LLC or nonprofit. They may offer a variety of professional services, like acting as a registered agent or managing paperwork on your behalf. For those who need help with the administrative or regulatory aspects of an LLC, a registered agent service is a great option.?