Ongoing Management and Protection

CorpNet’s blog posts offer a wealth of information for navigating through the ongoing management and protection of startup and business operations. Our articles are written by industry experts who have the experience to help you avoid common and unnecessary mistakes.

What Is FUTA Tax?

FUTA tax is among several employment-related taxes that businesses with payroll must pay to the government. FUTA (the Federal Unemployment Tax Act) initiated a program that works along with state unemployment programs to pay benefits to workers who have lost their...

FUTA Illustration

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...

Man Holding a Paycheck

5 Tips to Smarter and More Efficient Business Meetings

Nobody likes business meetings. So why do we have so many? Unfortunately, they’re a necessary evil when it comes to running a business. Having led my fair share of meetings at CorpNet, believe me when I say I hate meetings as much as my employees. When I see an...

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Does a Sole Proprietorship Need Liability Insurance?

Many entrepreneurs who are the sole owners of their business (or operate a business with their spouse) choose to operate as sole proprietorships. A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure to manage, which is why it’s popular with self-employed...

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Paying Small Business Taxes: Three Options to Consider

If you’re like most small business owners, you groan when April rolls around. You know you have a hefty tax bill waiting for you, and it’s one you despise paying. What’s your plan for paying that tax bill? Did you know you had options? Let’s look at three smart...

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6 Hiring Mistakes Small Business Owners Make

As you grow your business, you will inevitably need to hire help. If you’ve never been an employer before, there are certain pitfalls you need to avoid that many business owners make. Here’s your guide to what not to do in hiring staff. 1. Not Knowing Your Needs...

Businesspeople Having Meeting In Modern Open Plan Office

6 Tips for Naming Your Business

I can’t tell you how many entrepreneurs I’ve met that didn’t do the research before naming their business. You may think the name you’ve come up for in starting a new business is unique, but what happens if you find out someone else is already using it? If the name...

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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...

LLC Letters Built Out of Cubes

Is Your Business in Compliance? Seven Questions To Ask Yourself

Maintaining a C Corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC) is an ongoing process that requires constant attention. Unfortunately, most small business owners don’t know what they don’t know and busy entrepreneurs often find it tough to carve out time to research...

Woman With Question Marks

Maintain Business Compliance to End the Year in Good Standing

As we move into the winter months it's time to begin thinking of year-end business compliance responsibilities and business activities. Business compliance matters to businesses regardless of industry or size and it is something that needs attention every year....

December 31 Highlighted on Calendar

How to Add a DBA to an LLC

Some companies, such as Limited Liability Companies (LLC), choose to do business under a different name than the one they have registered in their formation documents. Like other businesses, before an LLC may use an alternate name in its contracts, advertising, and...

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How Do I Maintain a Business?

After a business is up and running, it's critical to maintain it by fulfilling all of the required business compliance tasks on time. Of course, businesses grow and evolve over time, and therefore, the actions they must take to maintain a business entity also may...

Maintenance Robot

What is Payroll?

Payroll refers to the various tasks and responsibilities businesses must perform to pay their employees accurately and on time. It encompasses calculating wages and salaries; preparing checks or paying employees via direct deposit; withholding taxes and other...

Payroll Report on Tablet

What Is a Trademark?

Now that you’ve started your business, it’s time to protect its name. After all, your business name is — and will continue to be — one of the most crucial branding assets you possess. So, how do entrepreneurs protect that critical element from being infringed upon...

Trademark written in wooden cubes

A State-by-State Guide to Economic Nexus

Economic Nexus The Supreme Court ruling on the South Dakota v. Wayfair case in 2018 changed how out-of-state retailers collect and remit sales taxes in each state. At a minimum, states can mandate that businesses without a physical presence in a state and with more...

Nexus Guide With Legal Statue

How Do You Pay Yourself as a Sole Proprietor?

Many small business owners start their companies as Sole Proprietorships. The Sole Proprietorship business structure offers setup simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and minimal business compliance requirements. As with any form of business, entrepreneurs must consider...

Man Holding a Paycheck

What Is a Reseller License?

If you’re starting a retail business (whether online or at a brick and mortar location), you’ll want to apply for a reseller license. A reseller license certifies you don’t have to pay sales tax when buying products on a wholesale basis for the purpose of reselling...

Cartoon Street of Businesses

How to Move A Business To Another State

When you move from one house to another, you likely have a checklist of things you need to take care of in the process from changing your mailing address and calling your cable TV provider and your internet company. But when moving your business to another state,...

Business woman moving packing boxes

How to Prepare Your Small Business for a Recession

Is a recession on the way? While some economic experts believe a recession is on the way, others, such as the National Retail Federation (NRF), think that although the economy is slowing, consumers are financially healthy and a recession is unlikely in 2022. And...

Crumbled Dollar Bill

How Do LLC Owners Get Paid?

As a small business owner, how you pay yourself depends on your business’s legal structure and how you elect to pay taxes. The Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular legal entity offering liability protection to its owners (called members), simple compliance...

Happy Woman Throwing Money Above Laptop

Do You Need an LLC for Rental Property in Another State?

No matter where you’re buying a rental property, protecting that investment is important. Many real estate investors who own rentals choose to set up each of their properties as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Doing so helps protect their personal assets from...

For Rent Sign in Front of House

10 Ways to Take Care of Your Kids and Your Business This Summer

School’s out! Chances are your kids are celebrating right now because weeks of summer vacation beckon. But, if you’re starting a business or running a business, and you have school-aged children, you’re likely feeling a little conflicted. Entrepreneurs like me, and...

Kids Swimming in Pool

Virtual Companies and Nexus: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Over the last two years, many businesses have chosen to go virtual, either temporarily or on a permanent basis. But that decision can impact the business’s nexus status. Companies with remote employees in other states may also need to register for foreign...

Virtual Employee on Conference Call

Does Being an LLC or Corporation Help Build Business Credit?

Establishing healthy business credit is essential to ensure a company can thrive and grow. If an entrepreneur doesn’t take measures to establish credit in their business name, they may miss out on opportunities and even pay more than they have to for goods and...

Credit Report on Desk

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...

Michigan State Flag

Trademarks vs. Copyrights vs. Patents

From your company logo to your trade secrets, your business’s intellectual property has value. That’s why it’s important to take measures to protect it. What are the various types of intellectual property and how can business owners’ safeguard them?  Here’s a...

Trademark and Copyright Icons in Vending Machine

How to Protect Your Brand with Trademarks

If you’ve incorporated your business or formed a limited liability company, you’ve taken critical first steps toward building a successful business. When registering your business, you’ve protected your company name from being used by competitors in the state the...

Registered Trademark Stamp

What Business Owners Need to Know About Filing Taxes in 2022

Tax season is right around the corner. A lot has changed, tax-wise, in the past year due to new legislation. Here’s a quick look at what business owners need to know about filing their taxes in 2022. Sole Proprietorship Sole proprietors are unincorporated...

Stack of US Tax Forms

Registered Business Name vs. Trademark

One of the first decisions new entrepreneurs make is “What should I name my business?” A lot of brand equity gets built around a business name, so it’s essential to protect that valuable marketing asset. During a presentation to accounting professionals, I...

Woman With Two Thought Bubbles, One With Business Name and One With Trademark

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