The Launch Blog: Expert Advice from the CorpNet Team
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Do You Need Annual Meeting Minutes for Corporations and LLCs?
What business owners should know about annual meeting minutes for corporations. What are they, who must have them, and how do you create them?
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...
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,”...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Does an LLC Get a 1099?
Many freelance professionals and independent contractors operate as Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). The requirements for when a business should send a 1099 form to an LLC vary, as does the 1099 form to send. Generally speaking, this is when LLCs should or should not receive a 1099: When a single-member LLC is taxed as a Sole Proprietorship or a multi-member LLC is taxed as a Partnership, any business that pays the LLC $600 or more for services in the year must send it a 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) form. If a business has sold $5,000 or more of consumer products to an LLC for...
The Alabama Business Start Up Guide
With a relatively low tax burden and low cost of labor, Alabama is the 14th fastest-growing state in the United States. It's becoming the sweetheart state for business start-ups. If you’ve been thinking about forming a business in Alabama, here is a comprehensive look at the many things business owners should know and address to get their new Alabama businesses up and running. 1. Fine-tune Your Business Idea Before spending time and money starting a business in Alabama, entrepreneurs should do their due diligence to ensure their business concept has the potential to succeed. A feasibility...
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 debt and legal issues. A C Corporation can have an unlimited number of owners, but not every C Corporation is a large company. Many small businesses incorporate and operate as C Corporations, which are known as general, for-profit corporations. If you hear someone talking about a corporation, they’re most likely referring to a C...
Can You Have Multiple Businesses Under One LLC?
There may come a time when you decide to expand your business into an additional area of focus or take an online business to a storefront (or vice versa). These shifting operations lead business owners to wonder if they can have multiple businesses under one LLC. The short answer is, yes, you can operate multiple businesses under one LLC. However, before you jump in, you have multiple options to consider. The route you choose can impact you in several ways (including your liability and tax obligations), so it's critical to do your homework and weigh the pros and cons. I recommend talking...
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 entities. If you’re considering starting a business you’ll want to make sure you abide by your state’s publication requirement laws. States with business entity publication requirements include: Arizona (LLCs, Corporations) Georgia (Corporations) Nebraska (LLCs, Corporations) New York (LLCs) Pennsylvania (Corporations) Several...
