Steps to Take When Forming an Entity Archives - Page 2 of 7

Why should I form a corporation/LLC for my business?

Corporations provide liability protection for its owners, as well as its officers and directors, with some exceptions. So, there’s that. Insurance covers some things, not all things. And sometimes a corporation won’t help you . . . for example, if you’re a lawyer and you commit malpractice. That’s on you, individually – corporation or not. Tax may also drive a reason to incorporate or organize an LLC.

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

What are Articles of Incorporation?

This is about as arcane as it gets . . . “Articles”. Be that as it may, we’re stuck with it as a word in corporate lingo. This is the document which provides the state, and therefore the public, with the initial information needed to bring the corporation into existence. It must follow certain state requirements minimally, and may also contain certain other provisions that may either be recommended generally, or may be required by certain investors. Sometimes this is referred to as the “corporate charter”.

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

What are Articles of Organization?

Like Articles of Incorporation, this is the document used for bringing your LLC into existence. It’s filed with the state’s authority for, well, filing such documents. In California, this is the Secretary of State. In Delaware, it’s the Division of Corporations.

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

Will a corporation or LLC protect me from liability?

That’s supposed to be the point of them, so I’m going to say . . . yes! However, you can become personally liable for your own negligence (or intentional bad acts). You may also become personally liable of the person suing you can prove that you didn’t follow corporate formalities, like holding meetings, maintaining minutes, or keeping enough working capital in the business’s accounts.

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

Is the liability protection for LLCs and corporations the same?

Yes. There are some very case-specific nuances, especially when you get down to single-member LLCs, but unlikely anything that is going to effect you generally. Don’t obsess over this one unless you have plans to not pay taxes, for example.

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

What/who is an incorporator?

This is the person who signs and causes the filing of the Articles of Incorporation (or, in the case of an LLC the Articles of Organization) with the designated state authority. In a small business, this is usually the owner/shareholder/member. Some folks have their attorney sign the documents to help expedite the process, and that’s ok (but not necessary).

June 15th, 2015|0 Comments

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

When I form my corporation or LLC, is that a license?

No, but thanks for asking a weird question. You’re likely getting confused with some industries, like talent management, that may require you to obtain a license from a particular state agency. The formation of the entity doesn’t trigger automatic licensure, nor does it automatically require you to get a license for your business. Licensure for your business is separate and apart from forming an entity. And, in some instances, if you are required to obtain a license, that may dictate the kind of entity your form.

June 15th, 2015|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

Subscribe to Articles & Postings via Email

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Article Categories

FAQ Categories