The Launch Blog: Expert Advice from the CorpNet Team

How Often Does an LLC Pay Taxes?

If you’re considering starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or restructuring your business as an LLC, it’s important to know what taxes you’re responsible for, when your taxes are due, and how to file taxes for your business entity. Keep in mind that an LLC’s tax obligations can vary greatly. Multiple factors affect an LLC’s tax filing responsibilities. For example: Does the LLC have one sole owner (Single-Member LLC)) or two or more owners (Multi-Member LLC)? Has the LLC elected to have S Corporation or C Corporation tax treatment? What are the state and local income and sales tax...

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Most Popular Franchise Businesses

If the thought of starting your own business seems overwhelming, there’s an option you could consider to streamline the start-up process and make it more workable. Instead of starting from scratch to build an independent business, you could consider franchising. Franchising is a business model in which an independent party buys into an established business and opens and runs their own location. It’s a popular model because it enables the established business to grow while giving an entrepreneur just starting out the advantage of being associated with a known company. The franchisor—the...

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How Do You Pay Yourself as a Sole Proprietor?

Many small business owners start their companies as Sole Proprietorships. The business structure offers setup simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and minimal business compliance requirements. To determine if a Sole Proprietorship is right for them, entrepreneurs should consider the pros, cons, and nuances associated with it. In this article, I’ll discuss what a Sole Proprietorship is, how sole proprietors pay themselves, how to pay taxes in a Sole Proprietorship, and examine some potential benefits of switching to an LLC instead. What Is a Sole Proprietorship? The IRS defines a Sole...

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Annual Report List by State for LLCs and Corporations

Many state governments require LLCs, Corporations, and other registered business entities to file annual reports each year. And some Secretary of State (or comparable agency) offices may require these types of reports to be filed according to different timeframes (e.g., biennial and decennial reports). This state-by-state list will help you prepare and stay in compliance.

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A Guide to Filing a North Carolina Annual Report

Filing a North Carolina annual report is a yearly activity that is required to maintain your company's registration as a legal entity in the state. It contains information about the company and is due whether or not the entity is actively conducting business. The only time a company no longer has to submit an annual report is when it has been officially dissolved with the state. Who Must File an Annual Report? The following foreign and domestic companies must file an annual report to the North Carolina Secretary of State: C Corporations Limited Liability Companes (LLC) Limited Liability...

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Does Your Business Have to File a Georgia Annual Report by April 1st?

Business entities that are registered with Georgia's Office of the Secretary of State must file a Georgia annual report each year. The due date for filing Georgia's annual report is April 1st. What is an Annual Report? The correct terminology for an annual report is actually "annual registration." However, many people refer to it as an "annual report" because that's what the annual filing is called in many states. Throughout this article, you'll see that I use both terms to mix things up a little for your reading pleasure! Businesses required to file a Georgia annual registration must do...

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Michigan Annual Report Filing for LLCs and Corporations

The state of Michigan requires all business owners of limited liability companies (LLC) and corporations to file an annual report. An annual report is a filing that helps ensure the state's records about a business entity are accurate. Michigan has specific due dates for filing annual reports, so entrepreneurs need to stay on top of the deadlines and get their paperwork turned in on time. Submitting annual reports is one of the compliance tasks required to keep business entities in good standing with the state. In this post, we’ll cover general details about Michigan’s requirements for...

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How to Perform a Business Name Search for Any State in the US

Along with deciding whether your company will operate as a Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Company (LLC), General Partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation, selecting the right name for your new business is an important early step. And while choosing a name might sound like an easy, straightforward task, it’s imperative that you spend some time and effort making sure you follow the rules laid out by your state. One of the most important tasks is to make sure the name you choose isn’t already taken. Taking a name that’s already in use can result in confusion, or worse yet, legal...

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Can You Turn a DBA into an LLC?

Many business owners who operate as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership use a DBA (Doing Business As) name to market their business more effectively and present a more professional image. A DBA can serve a business well, but it’s important to realize it is just a name. A DBA is not a business entity and does not provide any liability or asset protection for entrepreneurs as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) does. What if you’ve been running your business as a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership and you’d like to switch to an LLC but continue using your DBA name? Can you turn your DBA into...

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Options for Paying Small Business Taxes

While paying taxes is a certainty for small business owners, there are some options for how you might pay them. The simplest strategy for paying your small business taxes is to make sure money is available when your tax bill comes due. If that is not possible for some reason, you can register for an IRS payment plan that allows you to pay your balance over a specified amount of time, use a credit card to pay your bill, apply for a bank loan, or apply for a business line of credit. Let’s have a look at each of these options. Option 1: Plan Ahead to Pay Your Taxes The taxes you’ll pay are...

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CorpNet Awarded Inc. Pacific Regionals for 2024

CorpNet is proud to announce that it has made Inc.’s prestigious Inc. Regionals Pacific list in 2024 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. This is the third year CorpNet has been honored in the regional awards. With a healthy 259% 2-year growth, CorpNet made a significant move from position 75 to 56. CorpNet's Inc. profile can be found at https://www.inc.com/profile/netcom. “I am beyond proud of the continued growth our company has achieved in the last year and our ability to secure a spot on the coveted Inc.5000 Pacific Regionals list in 2024. Our team continues...

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Tax Season Survival Kit for Accountants

No matter what your industry, you know when your busy season is about to start. For accountants, it’s tax season, where you can generate half your annual revenue or more for your accounting during these busy months. But how do you handle the extra workload during tax season without losing your sanity? Our tax season survival kit for accountants can help. 1. Create a Game Plan You can’t go into any battle without a plan if you hope to win. The same goes for tackling tax season. Meet it head-on by developing a plan to guarantee the best outcome for success. The more preparation you put into...

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What Is Reasonable Compensation for an S Corporation?

If you're considering taking an S Corporation election, it's important that you review what obligations are involved in keeping an S Corporation viable. An important part of this review includes an evaluation of the reasonable compensation requirement. What is an S Corporation? The S Corporation designation is not a legal business entity in and of itself. Instead, it’s a special tax election made by an LLC or C Corporation allowing them to keep their liability protection keeping the owners’ personal assets separate from the company’s debts and lawsuits, but avoiding the double taxation of...

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Can a Single-Member LLC Be an S Corporation?

A single-member LLC can be taxed as an S Corporation if it meets the IRS’s eligibility criteria. In fact, both single-member and multi-member Limited Liability Companies can elect to be treated by the IRS as either an S Corporation or a C Corporation if they meet the requirements. IRS's S Corporation Qualification Criteria: Be a domestic corporation or an entity eligible to be treated as a domestic corporation. And not be an ineligible corporation (such as certain financial institutions, insurance companies, and domestic international sales corporations. Have only allowable shareholders...

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The S Corp Election Deadline is Right Around the Corner

The S Corporation election deadline for LLCs and C Corporations is March 15, 2024. So, if you’re considering changing your limited liability company or C Corporation tax treatment from its default status to an S Corp, time is of the essence! To be considered an S Corporation for tax purposes in 2024, existing LLCs and C Corporations must file their election within two months and 15 days (within 75 days total) after the start of their 2024 tax year. For example, a company with a tax year that began on January 1, 2024, must file IRS form 2553 no later than March 15, 2024. Entrepreneurs who...

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Do I Need a New EIN?

If you already have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business but have recently made some changes, you may be wondering if you need a new EIN. Because EINs are used for reporting certain taxes (such as payroll and excise taxes), it’s essential to follow the IRS’s rules for obtaining and using them. Depending on the type of business entity and the circumstances, the IRS may require your business to get a new EIN. Generally, the following situations call for an entity with an existing EIN to apply for a new one: Owners of an existing registered business entity start another...

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How to Become a Successful Solopreneur

If you find joy in working on your own, managing day-to-day operations while scheming grand plans for the future, you may have what it takes to become a successful solopreneur. While there have always been solopreneurs, the concept of a person forming and growing a business on their own has become more widely recognized in recent years, emerging as a legitimate and popular way to work. Let’s take a little time to explore the solopreneur business model, starting with a look at exactly what it means to be a solopreneur. What Is a Solopreneur? A solopreneur, as you’ve probably figured out,...

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4 Must-Have LLC Documents

If you’re considering forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you’re likely drawn to the business structure because it provides personal liability protection for the business owner, the simplicity of pass-through tax status, and ease of administration thanks to minimal ongoing compliance responsibilities. These advantages and others have made the LLC a top choice for entrepreneurs everywhere. While it’s relatively uncomplicated to start a business as a Limited Liability Company, there are several important documents you must pay attention to when registering an LLC. 1. Articles of...

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What Is a BOI Report and Do You Need to File One?

Did you know many businesses will have a new federal reporting requirement in 2024? Most registered business entities — like Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and Corporations — must file a beneficial ownership information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). In September 2022, FinCEN, a bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury, announced its final rule requiring certain entities to report their beneficial ownership information. The BOI report is designed to provide transparency about who owns and benefits from an LLC or Corporation. It requests...

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Should a Single-Member LLC Have an Operating Agreement?

If you’re the owner of a single-member LLC, you may be wondering if you need an operating agreement for your business. It’s a valid question. You may assume that since you are the sole owner you probably don't need an agreement. After all, you are in complete control of the business. But this assumption is incorrect. While you might be tempted to forego an LLC operating agreement, I encourage you to consider otherwise because there are some significant advantages to having one. An LLC operating agreement may be a new term for you, so I want to explain a few details about LLC operating...

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LLC vs. S Corp vs. C Corp

Yes, operating a business as a sole proprietor or general partnership offers simplicity, but that comes at the cost of not having a separation between you as an individual and your company. Are there other options? There are alternate options that include popular entity types like the Limited Liability Company, C Corporation, and S Corporation. For entrepreneurs who want to protect their personal assets and have tax flexibility, registering as a legal business entity, such as an LLC, oS Corpo, or C Corp, is well worth exploring. Continue reading because I’m going to break down the basics...

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Is a Multi-Member LLC Right For You?

The multi-member LLC is a Limited Liability Company with more than one owner. It is a separate legal entity from its owners, but not a separate tax entity. A business with multiple owners operates as a general partnership, by default, unless registered with the state as an LLC or corporation. Would it make sense for you to form your business as a multiple-member LLC? To arrive at that answer, you need to consider how choosing that business entity type will impact you legally, administratively, operationally, and from a tax perspective. I encourage you to speak with an attorney and...

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10 Legal Documents You Must Have to Start a Small Business

If starting a new business is on your 2022 New Year’s resolution list, we’re here to help you begin on the right (and legal) path. Here are 10 must-have legal documents you need to start a new business. 1. Business Plan Technically, a business plan is not a “legal” document, nor is it required to start a business, but developing a business plan before you attempt to secure financing, look for office space, or even pick a business name, is highly recommended. Creating your plan at the beginning forces you to assess your goals and resources, strategize a road map for success, and determine...

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Business Name Restrictions: What to Know Before Registering Your Business

One of the most exciting initial tasks to tackle when starting a business is brainstorming names for your company. It’s also one of the most critical to-dos; your company’s name will be the foundation of your brand, so you need to consider it carefully. As you embark upon the process of deciding what you will call your company, there are some business name restrictions you should be aware of. Every state has its own set of rules regarding what is and is not allowed in business names. Most states will not allow a business to: Include business entity identifiers such as “Incorporated,”...

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How to Start a Small Business on Etsy

Etsy has given artists, crafters, and collectors a highly visible online marketplace for selling their own-made arts and crafts, vintage items, and crafting supplies. Are you a talented, hands-on individual with a vision of offering your creations to customers across the United States or even beyond? Then you have probably wondered how to start a small business on Etsy. I can understand why! Here are just a few data points that I find exciting: The number of active buyers on Etsy has increased steadily over the years, going from 9.3 million in 2012 to over 46.3 million in 2019. The number...

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How to Legally Start a Marijuana Business in California

With the legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use in California, it’s an exciting time for the state’s business community. The law brings many opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in producing and selling cannabis and cannabis products. CorpNet is working with aspiring cannabis business owners in California. We’ve found many are struggling to “weed” through what they need to do to legitimately start their companies. And I’m not surprised. There’s a lot of information out there, and much of it is confusing! Are you facing the same challenge in starting a marijuana...

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Setting Up Payroll for an LLC or Corporation

Payroll involves far more than just cutting a paycheck to employees. It entails calculating work hours, wages, salaries, benefits, wage garnishments, and withholding and paying employment-related taxes. So, what do business owners need to know about setting up payroll for an LLC or corporation? In today's post, we'll cover all of this and more. Seven Key Steps for Getting Started The account registrations needed, steps necessary, and forms required to set up and administer payroll are similar regardless of the business entity type. My recent article, What Is Payroll? offers detailed...

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How to Start a Restaurant Business

Are you thinking about how to start a restaurant business? Without a doubt, it's an industry that contributes immensely to our economy. According to statistics from the National Restaurant Association, there are over one million restaurant locations in the United States, and they collectively employ 15.6 million people. What I think is especially encouraging about the restaurant industry is that it has a track record of opening the door to entrepreneurship to people with humble beginnings who are willing to work hard and learn. Many people who start a restaurant begin by working in the...

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How to Legally Franchise a Business

If you've considered how to grow your business by leaps and bounds without starting and running dozens or hundreds of locations yourself, you may have wondered how to franchise a business. In this article, you'll learn more about what franchising means, how to determine if franchising makes sense for your business, and what's involved in franchising a business.

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