Nellie Akalp

A pioneer in the online legal document filing space since 1997, Nellie has helped more than half a million small businesses and licensed professionals start and maintain companies across the United States, most recently through her Inc.5000 recognized company, CorpNet. She closely follows trends in the industry and shares her wealth of knowledge across various CPA and small business communities, establishing Nellie as one of the most prominent influential experts on business startup and compliance matters.

What is a C Corporation?

A C Corporation is a legal structure for a company that is authorized by the state to conduct business. Its owners, who are referred to as shareholders, are taxed separately from the business, and in most cases cannot be held personally responsible for business...

C Corporation Text With Question Mark

What Is a Publication Requirement?

Some states require business owners to publish a notice in a local newspaper after they form or make certain changes to their business entities. States’ publishing requirements help inform the public about new business entities and significant changes to existing...

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Eleven Disadvantages of Choosing a Sole Proprietorship

A Sole Proprietorship is the most popular business structure in the U.S., with nearly three out of four businesses operating as one. But if you’re running a Sole Proprietorship or thinking about starting a business that will operate as one, it’s important that...

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Payroll Taxes 101

Whether you’re a Sole Proprietor with only a handful of workers or a corporation with hundreds of employees, you are responsible for collecting and paying employment taxes to federal and state tax agencies. However, while federal payroll taxes are the same no...

Payroll Report on Laptop

How the Corporate Transparency Act Affects Your Company

Per the recently passed Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), owners of smaller Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and corporations will soon have another compliance requirement to adhere to this year. LLCs and corporations with fewer than 20 employees must report...

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How to Avoid Double Taxation By Using an LLC or S Corporation

There are a whole host of reasons to incorporate as a C Corporation and it is the preferred entity type if you intend on seeking VC funding or taking the company public. However, forming a C Corporation involves more paperwork, legal fine print, and potential...

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Does Your Business Need a DBA?

Do you need a DBA for your business? It is a common question for evolving and growing businesses. Let's explore what a DBA is, what benefits it offers, and discuss some situations when you might need to file a DBA. What is a DBA? A DBA is a fictitious business...

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How Many Members Can an LLC Have?

Besides personal liability protection, flexibility is among the top reasons entrepreneurs choose the Limited Liability Company (LLC) business structure for their companies. An LLC can have an unlimited number of owners, called “members” (with few restrictions on...

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Can You File Your Own LLC?

Many entrepreneurs who want to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) think they must hire a lawyer to handle the paperwork. They’re mistaken! While it’s helpful to consult an attorney about which business entity type is right for your business and get answers to...

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The Top Reasons Startup Businesses Fail

No one starts a business to see it fail. Seeds of ideas slowly germinate into full-blown business plans bursting forth with sparkle and optimism. This business is your dream and you’ve given it your heart and soul.  You know it won’t fail. I’m sorry to say that...

Unhappy Businessman

How to Calculate Profit Margins

Passion, energy, and enthusiasm are essential entrepreneurial traits for launching a business — and so is an understanding of financial performance. To sustain and grow an LLC or Corporation, a business owner must keep an eye on its profitability. Calculating...

Business Woman Working on Financial Calculations

What is a Business Statement of Purpose for an LLC or Corporation?

When starting a Limited Liability Company or C Corporation, businesses in most states must provide a written statement of business purpose in their formation documents (Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization). The business purpose statement describes...

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Can I Use a Home Address for My LLC?

It is legal to use your home address for your LLC, C Corporation, or other business entity. You do need a physical address to register a business, but many sole proprietors and various types of professional services businesses don’t have a separate business...

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Tax Registration: What Your Business Needs to Know

Whether you’re a business accountant serving entrepreneurs or you’re a business owner, it’s critical to understand sales and employment tax registration and ongoing requirements. Federal payroll taxes are the same no matter where a business is located, but state...

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How Much Do Small Business Owners Really Make?

We all dream of having our own business, being the boss, and controlling our own destiny. I can assure you the dream is indeed possible. But will that dream, and future success be enough? How much do small business owners really make per year? And will it be enough...

Woman Holding a Handful of Money

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

Did you know many businesses had a new federal reporting requirement in 2024? Most registered business entities — like Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and Corporations — must file a beneficial ownership information report (BOIR) with the Financial Crimes...

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How to Manage Payroll for Restaurants

Maintaining an exceptional staff reigns as one of the essential ingredients for a successful restaurant. With hiring that staff, comes payroll responsibilities and complying with all related federal, state, and local employment and tax laws. Payroll for restaurants...

Restaurant Owner Working on Laptop

As a Business Owner, Can I Have Multiple LLCs?

Once entrepreneurs taste what it's like to be their own boss and carve their own career path, some decide to pursue starting multiple businesses. Depending on the situation, owning multiple Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) might make sense. Which leads to the...

Cartoon Street of Businesses

When’s the Best Time of Year to Form an LLC?

Have you been thinking of launching a new business or changing your existing Sole Proprietorship to a formal business entity type like a Limited Liability Company, S Corporation, or C Corporation? Are you concerned that you might not be selecting the best time of...

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Year End Small Business Tax Tips to Reduce Tax Payments in 2025

Before you let the hustle and bustle of the holiday season take over your business (and your life), now’s a good time to review your financial situation and explore some money-saving small business tax tips. Below is a list of my top tax tips entrepreneurs can...

Man Running From Taxes

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