Operating a Corporation/LLC Archives - Page 2 of 10

What’s an LLC manager?

The term "manager" has a specific meaning with respect to an LLC. The manager in an LLC is somewhat akin to the director in a corporation. The confusing part is that it can also be akin to the CEO or other officers of a corporation as well. Typically, the manager, well, manages the affairs of the LLC. The manager is authorized to bind the LLC, subject to restrictions that they may be bound to by law or in the operating agreement. The manager may or may not also be responsible for the operations of the LLC, though in larger LLCs, those roles are typically spread out between several individuals. In what are member-managed LLCs, each of the members may act as a manager, binding the LLC. So be careful about how you file your LLC, as you may not want every member eligible to sign contracts, and if you do, then the bank or the landlord will be looking for everyone's signatures.

August 11th, 2015|0 Comments

Why shouldn’t I make my LLC managed by all members?

It’s tempting, when you’re starting out, to appoint all of the members as co-managers of the LLC. Y’all are excited and in a kind of honeymoon phase. And if you agree that all members are managers, you don’t have to discuss [read: negotiate] who’s “in charge”. So, two things about that: First, if you can’t [...]

August 6th, 2020|0 Comments

What’s a registered agent?

That’s the short way to say “registered agent for service of process”, which, I realize, probably still doesn’t answer your question. This is the individual or business that is charged with receiving legal process, i.e., claims from third parties and government agencies against the company. This gives the public someone to serve with legal process, since entities aren’t individuals you can find at work or home.

July 7th, 2015|0 Comments

Can anyone own an S Corporation?

You probably didn’t think to ask this until you saw it was a question. Answer: No. S Corporations are restricted with respect to their ownership, one of the key factors why they can’t always be used. For example, no more than 100 shareholders can own shares in an S Corp, no shareholder can be a non-resident alien, and unless certain filings and compliance rules are met, they generally can’t be owned by other entities, only individuals.

July 7th, 2015|0 Comments

Can anyone own an interest in an LLC?

And therein lies a major difference between LLCs and S Corporations – because LLCs can be owned by practically anyone or anything, making them very useful for pass-through taxation, while being owned by other entities.

July 7th, 2015|0 Comments

If I’m the only member of my LLC, do I really have liability protection?

Yes. Well, you have the same liability protection as a multi-member LLC. There will be some specific exceptions. For example, if you are personally negligent or you are responsible for your company's payroll tax obligations, then you'll be exposed to personal liability. But being a single-member LLC won't change that. There may be instances where being in a partnership may change an outcome in an insolvency situation and certain specific other circumstances.

July 10th, 2016|0 Comments

What’s a Tax ID number?

I find that this is much more critical than some people think. A tax ID number is your corporation or LLC’s separate tax identity. Whether it’s opening a bank account, setting up payroll, or filing a tax return, this number is THE number for all purposes. Here’s how you can get one (good luck to you) or here's how you can get one (answered by me). Important note: you need some kind of tax identification to get a Tax ID Number. Usually that original identification comes in the form of an individual's Social Security Number (usually the person forming the entity if it's a small business). But foreign owners have a more difficult time doing this since they don't usually have Social Security Numbers; in that case, they need to apply for an individual tax ID number, and then use that number to get the Tax ID Number for the corporation or LLC.

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

How do I get a tax identification number?

You can go to the IRS’s website, and go through their multi-page question and answer pages. Make sure you're ready with your SS-4, as the IRS may ask for that over the phone if it doesn’t like one of your answers. (PS, the IRS is not in the habit of liking.)

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

If I convert my LLC from one state to, say, California, do I need a new Tax ID number for the LLC in California?

Since the LLC is just moving from one state to another, and not changing its structure or tax status, a new Tax ID number shouldn’t be required. The LLC would need a new Tax ID number, for example, if you terminate the LLC in one state and then start a new one in another state [...]

August 6th, 2020|0 Comments

Do I need an attorney for this process?

YES! Of course!! Actually, no. Though "need" is a funny word. An attorney is not required to incorporate an entity. But if you learn nothing else from bouncing around this website, it’s that there may be a great deal of things to consider, traps for the unwary, and housekeeping items that may make or break your liability protection. Consider yourself warned!

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

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