Corporate and LLC Structure Can Protect Sole Proprietors’ Assets
There are plenty of advantages to being your own boss, but that doesn’t mean that every decision is easy or straightforward. One of the first things you’ll have to decide is the type of business structure that is best for your situation. While selecting “sole proprietor” may seem like the path of least resistance, if you have personal assets at risk for your business’ debts and liabilities, it may make more sense to go with the more complicated route of electing to form as a C- or S-corporation, or even as a limited liability corporation (LLC).
What is the difference between each?
In a nutshell, if you set up as a C corporation – the preference of venture capital investors – you’ll have to pay taxes as both an individual and as a corporation. By contrast, both S corporations and LLCs have the advantage of a favorable pass-through tax treatment while still providing your personal assets with significant protection.
No matter which entity you choose, you won’t find the process costly or complicated, and if you decide to switch at a later date you can do so easily. Still, it’s important to understand that filing a Certificate of Incorporation does not entirely protect you from personal liability. In order to provide yourself and your shareholders with the highest level of personal protection make sure that you do the following:
Never use your personal name or the name of a shareholder on any official documents. Whether invoices, correspondence, or contracts, the official corporate name is the only appellation that should be used, and the word “inc.” or “corp.” should be included where corporate. This is the best way to ensure separate entity recognition. The same is true whenever signing on the company’s behalf. Only use the corporate name and include your title, as shown below:
CORPORATION NAME
By: ___________________________________
Name and official title of the authorized signerMaintain entirely separate bank accounts for your personal funds and your corporate funds, as well as separate taxes. Corporate tax liabilities should be paid from corporate accounts and personal taxes from personal accounts; the same is true for shareholders.
Assuming that you have corporate bylaws and other formalities, make sure that you follow all of them to a tee. This may include ensuring that meeting minutes are recorded, that the Board of Directors holds regular meetings, and that stock is issued.
The clearer and cleaner the line between the organization and the individual, the higher the level of personal protection, so make sure that there is a separation between corporate and individual transactions.
If you have questions about what type of entity is right for you we can help. Contact us today for more information.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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You can prepare your taxes yourself, especially if your business is simple.
But once you have contractors, employees, business loans, equipment purchases, mileage, mixed expenses, or growing revenue, things get more complex. At that point, tax preparation becomes a way to make sure your business is reported correctly, your deductions are handled properly, and your records can support what you file.
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Send anything that shows what your business earned, spent, bought, paid, borrowed, or changed during the year.
That usually means your income records, bank statements, credit card statements, payroll reports, contractor payments, loan documents, mileage records, and prior-year tax return. Also tell me about anything unusual, such as buying a vehicle, hiring someone, opening a new location, or taking out a business loan.
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Messy books can slow things down. If expenses are in the wrong categories, transactions are missing, or personal and business spending are mixed together, your tax return may not show the right profit. We may need to clean things up before filing, so your return is accurate and easier to support.
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Possibly, if it was truly for your business and you have proof.
Still, it is much better to avoid this when you can. A separate business bank account and business credit card make everything cleaner. They save time, reduce confusion, and make your records much easier to defend if anyone ever asks questions.
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Most small business owners can deduct ordinary business expenses like software, advertising, supplies, insurance, rent, payroll, contractor payments, professional fees, travel, and some vehicle costs.
The question I usually ask is simple. Was this expense clearly for the business? If yes, we can look at how it should be handled. Personal expenses should stay personal.
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