Here are some considerations for how to structure your business, depending on how many stakeholders you have and what level of personal liability you want.
You did the hard part: You started a business, kept it running and maybe even grew it a little bit. Now, you’re looking more closely at how it’s structured. Would it benefit you to be an S corporation? What about a C corporation? How did you write your bylaws? Knowing the basics of different business structures can help you compare them and make the best decision for your business.
Sole proprietorship
This is the most basic form of business: It doesn’t require you to register with your state or the federal government. However, legally you represent your business as a sole proprietor — the business is run under your Social Security number — so your business’s assets and liabilities are the same as your own. If someone sues your business, your personal assets are at stake.
Limited liability company (LLC)
As the name suggests, forming an LLC limits your personal liability by separating your personal assets from your business assets. If a client were to sue your business, your personal assets are mostly protected. These companies are often “pass-through” entities, where any profits or losses from your business can be counted as personal income — meaning you pay personal income tax rather than corporate tax.
Partnership
There are two types of partnerships — limited partnerships (LP) and limited liability partnerships (LLP).
- With LPs, there is one primary partner with unlimited liability. This partner tends to control most of the company. A handful of other partners have less liability, but less control. The details of this are documented in the partnership agreement.
- LLPs give every partner liability protection by separating partner assets from company assets. As a partner, you’re not responsible for actions of the other partners, and you generally aren’t liable if someone takes action against the business.
C-corp
Corporations, also known as C-corps, are the most basic form of corporation. The business is a legal entity that’s entirely separate from its owners. The main difference between corporations and the previous structures is taxation. Corporation’s profits are taxed separately. Corporations also require more formalized record keeping and processes. This is often the go-to structure for companies that plan to sell equity or eventually go public.
S-corp
S-corps are structured similar to C-corps, but like an LLC, profits can be counted as personal income by the owners, effectively avoiding corporate taxation. The IRS restricts which companies qualify as S-corps (for instance, you can’t have more than 100 shareholders) and not all states recognize S-corps the way the federal government does.
Where to start
Source: National Small Business Association 2017 Year-End Economic Report
To decide which of these structures might work best for your business, start with these questions:
- How risky is your business? The higher the risk, the more you may want to consider an S or C corporation in order to limit your personal liability as much as possible. Lower-risk businesses may be adequately protected by the liability structure of LLCs or partnerships.
- How many owners does your business have? LLCs and corporations can have an unlimited number of members, but S-corps are limited in the number of shareholders they can have.
- What’s your organizational structure? Corporations, whether S or C, have different required criteria, including bylaws and annual meetings. While these are encouraged for LLCs, they are not required.
- Do you plan to issue stock? If you plan to issue stock, you’ll likely be considering an S or C corporation. From there, think about how much stock you plan to sell and what kind. An S-corp caps your shareholders at 100, and prohibits you from issuing multiple classes of stock, such as preferred shares.
Of course, there are a number of additional factors involved when deciding how to structure your business. But understanding the basics, including the similarities and differences of the various structures, can help you prepare as your business takes off.
For more on how business entities are taxed, read the essential business tips for tax deductions.
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