Startup and Launch

Are you considering launching a new business? If so our startup and launch articles are an ideal resource for you to dig into and educate yourself. Our blog posts cover everything from selecting the best type of business entity to knowing what state you should incorporate in. Don’t make unnecessary mistakes! Let our startup experts get you headed in the right direction.

What is a Profit Share Agreement?

A profit share agreement, sometimes called a profit share contract, is an important legal contract between two or more parties, such as individual business partners, businesses, employers and employees, or investors and entrepreneurs. A profit share agreement is...

Legal Documents Illustration

Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC

Sole Proprietorships and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are popular business entities for entrepreneurs. If you’re thinking about starting a business, you might be wondering which of these entities would be a better choice. Let’s look at how Sole...

Business woman writing in planner

C Corporation vs. S Corporation

If you have your sights set on incorporating your business, you may be wondering if a C Corporation or S Corporation is the better option. While both are popular choices, nuances exist that may make one or the other more advantageous for your situation. The...

Woman Using Hands to Show a Comparison

How to Choose the Best State to Incorporate a Business

Besides the questions of when and how to start a company, many entrepreneurs want to know where to incorporate a business. Each state has its own business laws and tax codes, so deciding where to form an LLC or a corporation should not be taken lightly. I recently...

US Map of States With Connecting Dots

Can I Set Up an LLC in Another State?

Yes, it is possible to set up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in another state, and there are two possible scenarios for doing so: Form an LLC in a state different from where the business owner lives and works. Register an existing LLC formed in one state to...

Map of the United States

What is a Series LLC?

The Series LLC is also known as a Series Limited Liability Company or SLLC for short. It allows multiple Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) within a master LLC to operate as separate entities with their own names, bank accounts, and record keeping. Each series can...

Colorful Building Blocks

How to Start a Business in the USA as a Foreigner

The United States an ideal location for foreigners to start a business and capture that elusive American dream pushed so hard by the media and social media. It’s no wonder many international entrepreneurs dream about starting a business in the USA. Nonresidents can...

conceptual image with business people standing in front of globe

Low Stress Options to Finance Your Business

Today’s business owners have more options for business financing than ever before.  But some methods to finance your business may cause you to toss and turn at night more than others. Of course, stress can be subjective. One person’s definition of stress may be...

plant growing out of coins with filter effect retro vintage style

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...

Woman With Question Marks

Tax Saving Features of Corporations, S Corporations, and LLCs

I regularly speak to business owners about entity types and their potential impact from a tax perspective. A while back, I created a webinar for accountants (and other professional services providers that work with businesses) on the topic of business structures...

Man Cutting Tax With Scissors

Tax Benefits of Incorporating

Tax implications are among the most important factors to think about when deciding on a business entity type. Some business owners are attracted to the simplicity of pass-through taxation, which is how a Sole Proprietorship, Ppartnership, LLC, and S Corporation are...

Money Saved in a Jar

What is a DBA?

A DBA - or Doing Business As is a name different from a company's legal name. It is also referred to as a trade name, assumed business name, or a fictitious business name. Typically, businesses use a DBA name when they want to market their products or services...

DBA With Question Marks

The Best States to Form a Foreign LLC

While most entrepreneurs choose to register a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the state where they live and plan to operate, some decide to expand their operations into one or more other states by registering it as a “foreign LLC”. The LLC is considered a...

US Map of States With Connecting Dots

How to Create an LLC

A lot of new small business owners assume that creating an LLC is a complicated thing. It’s not, actually. But it is one of the best things you can do to protect your personal assets and your business. Let’s take a look at what it takes to set your business up as a...

Close up of legal document's signature line

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...

S Corp Sales Page on Computer Monitor

Nonprofit Corporation vs. 501(c)(3)

People often use the terms “nonprofit corporation” and “501(c)(3)” synonymously. However, they don’t necessarily mean the same thing, and it’s important to know the distinction if you plan to operate as a nonprofit organization. A Nonprofit Corporation is a...

Nonprofit Employee Working

What Is a Pass-Through Entity?

A pass-through entity refers to a business that does not pay income tax of its own. Its income, losses, credits, and deductions “pass-through” to each business owner’s personal tax return, where its profits are taxed according to each owner’s individual income tax rate. Sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, and S Corporations are all pass-through entities. Corporations, and limited liability companies that elect to be taxed as a corporation, are not pass-through entities.

Tax Form iPad Calculator

12 Examples of Sole Proprietorships

A large range of businesses operate as Sole Proprietorships – a type of business entity that has one person, or a married couple, as its owner and operator. In fact, there are more Sole Proprietorships in the United States than any other type of business structure,...

Landscape Worker

How to Start Your Own Business

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that more than 5.5 million new business applications were filed in the United States in 2023. This record number has continued to grow since the surged started in 2020. If you’re one of the millions of Americans with a dream of...

Woman Working in Skincare Business

Does an S Corporation Need to File Articles of Organization?

If you’ve spent any time on this blog or researching how to incorporate your business online, you’ve probably found some terms that were a bit confusing. What’s the difference between an LLC and a C Corporation? What paperwork do I need to file annually? What are...

Question Marks

Forming a Sole Proprietorship

If you’re looking to start your own business, a Sole Proprietorship is an easy way to get started. A Sole Proprietorship is a simple business entity in which one person, or a married couple, acts as the sole owner and operator. Unlike a C Corporation or Limited...

Middle age woman working on her blog

State of Colorado Periodic Report

All Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Non-Profit Corporations, and foreign entities registered to conduct business in the State of Colorado must file a periodic report each year with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Business Division. The intent of...

Colorado State Flag Road Sign

Delaware LLC Franchise Tax

Delaware is known as a business-friendly state for such reasons including its lack of residency requirements, favorable tax structures, legal flexibility, privacy protections, and other advantages. A less friendly aspect of having your LLC based in Delaware is its...

Welcome to Delaware Sign

Should You Incorporate at Year End or Wait Until 2025?

If you’re gearing up to incorporate and get your business off the ground at the start of 2025, you might wonder when to file your business formation paperwork. Can you submit your incorporation forms now and request an effective date that is delayed? After all, the...

Calendar Days in a Pile

When to Incorporate a Startup

If you’ve been operating your business as a Sole Proprietorship, you may be wondering when’s the right time to incorporate your startup as a bona fide business entity. There are various reasons to consider incorporation and its important to know your timing can...

Young Woman Working at Desk

What is a Franchise Tax?

A franchise tax is a fee that some states charge businesses for the right to conduct business within the state. Less than half of all U.S. states levy a franchise tax on businesses like C Corporations and Limited Liability Companies. States that do impose this...

Illustration of Tax Forms

What Is a Domestic LLC?

If you registered your Limited Liability Company in the state where you live and you are conducting most of your business in this state, your company is known as a Domestic LLC. It is licensed by the state to do business there and expected to uphold all the laws...

Question Marks

Traditional LLC vs. Close LLC

A Close LLC and a traditional LLC are essentially the same regarding how they’re formed, the personal liability protection they provide to business owners, and the tax flexibility they provide. A traditional LLC and a Close LLC have the following similarities: Both...

Traditional LLC vs Close LLC

Benefits of Forming an LLC

The Limited Liability Company (LLC) business structure is a popular choice for entrepreneurs who want to protect their personal assets, enjoy tax and management flexibility, and keep corporate formalities to a minimum. In this article, I’ll discuss the main...

Woman standing at counter

Subscribe to Newsletter

Practical business and financial insights, lessons, perspectives, and know-how brought right to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing!

100% satisfaction guaranteed or we will refund 100% of our service fees with no questions asked!