The Launch Blog: Expert Advice from the CorpNet Team
What Is the Difference Between Sales Tax and Sellers Use Tax?
Whether you sell products or services in one state or many states, it’s imperative to understand your business’s sales tax compliance requirements. To correctly register a business in a state and then file the proper sales tax, you need to know the difference between sales tax and sellers use tax and how nexus affects your obligations. Sales Tax Sales tax is a transaction tax paid by a consumer for a product or service and is a percentage of the sales price. Although not all states charge a sales tax, it is the seller’s responsibility to know which states do, to collect the sales tax, and...
What Comes After Incorporation? 12 Steps to Keep You On Track
Congratulations! You have officially registered your Limited Liability Company or Corporation with the state. But now what? What happens next? While forming an LLC or Corporation is a critical first step to operating a formal business entity, there's more work to do to keep it legitimate and in compliance. The tasks and filings vary depending on a company's growth objectives, type of business activities, and location. In this article, I talk about what comes after incorporation and I'll share some of the obligations that entrepreneurs must fulfill. However, keep in mind that your...
Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization
If you're thinking about starting a business, you’ll want to research which business entity type will be most advantageous to you. As you go through that process, you will discover that various documents and filings need to be submitted to the state to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or C Corporation. Articles of Incorporation and Articles of Organization are among them. Articles of Incorporation An Articles of Incorporation (sometimes called a Certificate of Incorporation) is a form that states require to set up a C Corporation. When a company's Articles of Incorporation are...
The What, Why, and How of Incorporating Out-of-State
A lot of entrepreneurs wonder what state should be used to incorporate a new business. Should it be their own state or maybe another state like Delaware or Nevada? There is no easy answer to that question, however, there are definite benefits for some businesses to incorporate in states other than where they conduct business. Let’s look at some examples of why you might incorporate out-of-state and then we'll review a few situations that will require you to register a foreign qualification. Why People Consider Incorporating Out-of-State Many people choose to incorporate their businesses...
How to Legally Start a Food Truck Business
According to IBISWorld, the food truck industry has 25,476 businesses in 2020. Growth in the industry from 2015 to 2020 averaged 8.7%. With the COVID-19 crisis a reality now, arguably, the food truck industry may be better suited than brick-and-mortar restaurants to navigate the challenges. With more people consuming take-out food and spending less time in sit-down establishments, food trucks may appeal to customers' desires for getting good food fast and with less person-to-person contact. In this article, I’ll share insight to get you headed down the right road on your entrepreneurial...
Seven Steps to Creating a Business Emergency Preparedness Checklist
It's an understatement to say the last few years have been tumultuous. Nearly every business has felt the pandemic's economic effects, and many have faced natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, draughts, and wildfires. With CorpNet's location in southern California, I relate first-hand to the challenges that entrepreneurs have faced. Our office has closed due to wildfires and COVID-19. Fortunately, we have a small business disaster recovery plan in place that has enabled us to continue our operations without sacrificing the quality of our customer service or our ability to meet...
How to Start a Daycare Business
Daycare businesses provide a critical service to working families. Parents and guardians need reliable, responsible childcare services to ensure that their children are well taken care of while adults in the household work hard to earn a living. Before starting a daycare, I recommend that you seek resources—such as an attorney, tax advisor, accountant, and business consultant—who can help with your legal, accounting, and industry-specific questions and decisions. In the meantime, I've created this step-by-step guide that provides key considerations and action steps for starting your own...
Do You Need an LLC for a Hard Money Loan?
Do you need a register an LLC to obtain a hard money loan for your real estate investment? Let's explore the LLC and hard money loans so you can decide. What is a Limited Liability Company? A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a formal business structure that is the simplest to form and maintain. Creating an LLC offers some of the same benefits as a corporation, without the costs and compliance complexity. Business owners who are looking for personal liability protection, tax flexibility, and management options may find that registering an LLC will be an ideal choice for their company....
Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership
You have much to think about and many questions to answer when starting a business. One of the most fundamental considerations is what type of business structure is right for you. Often, new small businesses choose to operate as a sole proprietorship or general partnership. Would either be a good fit for you? As you compare the sole proprietorship vs. partnership you'll have lots of questions. In this article, I’ll share information about the similarities and differences between the two business structures and some thoughts about other business entity types to consider. This information...
How to Start an Amazon Business
If you've been intrigued by the flexibility and income potential of selling online, starting an Amazon business is probably at the top of your to-do list. There's no denying Amazon's reach and reputation, which is why so many Americans have a strong pull toward launching an Amazon store. If you're on the fence about jumping into the world of Amazon, these statistics will solidify your plan: Amazon receives over 2 billion visits per month Amazon sellers can reach customers in over 180 countries There are over 300 million active Amazon shoppers worldwide Customers complete 28% of their...
How to Legally Start a Nonprofit Business
There is nothing more fulfilling than directing time and energy toward helping others in need. If you're passionate about a cause, you may have wondered how to start a nonprofit business. Some aspects of starting a nonprofit organization are similar to starting a for-profit business, but nuances exist. Incorporating a nonprofit can be confusing and complicated. Let’s dive into what it means to be a nonprofit organization and explore some of the considerations and steps involved in becoming one. Please keep in mind that the information that I'm about to provide in this article is not...
What is a Holding Company?
Many business owners operate multiple businesses and there’s a good reason for that. Once you have one business and business structure in place, it’s much easier to get a new business off the ground than if you had to start from scratch each time. At some point in your entrepreneurial life, you may come upon an idea or opportunity too good to pass up. But you have no intention to stop operating your current business. So, the question becomes how should you structure the new business. Should it be a part of the original business, a DBA (Doing Business As), or a completely separate business...
The Small Business Mid-Year Checklist
How are we nearing mid-year already? If you’re like me, the current business climate has been a whirlwind of trying to keep up on new information, planning for post COVID-19 recovery, and still maintaining running our business operations. Now that we’re approaching the mid-way point of 2020, we think it’s a good time to remind you there are some deadlines you need to keep an eye on and important decisions yet to make. Business Taxes The tax deadline has been pushed to July 15, 2020 which gives individual and business taxpayers more time to prepare to get their acts together. You may have...
Do You Need an LLC or S Corporation When Purchasing Rental Property?
So, you want to be a landlord? Here’s what to know about setting up a rental property business and protecting it with a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or S Corporation. Whether you want to purchase property to rent out on Airbnb or you want to lease office space, it’s important to understand that how you structure the property purchase affects your liability and your taxes. To be clear, we are not talking about merely renting out your home or a room in your house for a short timeframe. According to the IRS, rental income from a short-term period is tax-free as long as the room or house...
When Personal Liability Protection Doesn’t Work for Corporations and LLCs
Did you structure your business as a C Corporation or LLC for limited liability protections? For most scenarios the extra filing requirements, paperwork, and fees are worth it—your personal liability protection helps make sure your assets are protected from the business’s debts and legal issues. And that goes for the corporation’s shareholders and LLC members, too. Creditors can’t come after members’ cars, houses, or personal possessions to pay for attorney fees and unpaid invoices. But it’s called limited liability, which means there are some notable exceptions. Here’s what to know and...
How to Start a Business in West Virginia
A lot of entrepreneurs have decided to start a business in West Virginia and there is good reason. It is centrally located and within an eight-hour drive from major metropolitan areas and it offers some of the country's lowest labor and utility costs. Known as the “Mountain State,” West Virginia’s dependence on its mineral resources has declined in recent years, and it now boasts numerous industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, information technology, and energy production. Plus, its central location makes fulfillment distribution a thriving industry in the state. If you’ve been...
How to Find Small Business Grants
Small business owners often ask if they can obtain a grant for their business. The great news is you can. Small business grants range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Each grant has its own guidelines, requirements, and purposes. Getting a grant doesn’t happen overnight. The grant application process can take several months, and you will encounter many other companies competing for the money. Nonetheless, getting a grant award can be just the boost your business needs. One of the best aspects of getting a grant, as opposed to a business loan, is that grant money does not need...
Your Complete Guide to Starting a Business in New Mexico
With the 5th lowest labor costs in the country, according to the newest WalletHub study, the “Land of Enchantment” state boasts a thriving small business community. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 99% of all businesses in New Mexico are small businesses. If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in New Mexico, here is a comprehensive look at the many things business owners should know and address to get their businesses up and running. 1. Nail Down Your Business Idea Before spending time and money starting a business, entrepreneurs should do their due...
The State of Small Business Revenue
As a small company, CorpNet understand the challenges small businesses face, especially in an uncertain economy. However, entrepreneurs are resilient and remain the country’s economic backbone. Small businesses account for 99.9% of all businesses in the United States and employ 61.7 million Americans, which accounts for 46.4% of private-sector employees. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of small business owners start and grow their companies. New business owners have lots of questions, business terminology can be confusing, and they frequently wonder about the true revenue potential...
What Is Form 1065?
Partnerships (and LLCs taxed as Partnerships) must get acquainted with this IRS Form 1065 for U.S. Return of Partnership Income. Form 1065 is an information return that Partnerships use to report their income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits. While Partnerships are pass-through entities and business profits and losses flow through to the partners’ personal tax returns, Partnerships are still responsible for filing Form 1065 to report their financial information to the IRS. Moreover, a Partnership must use the form to prepare Schedule K-1 forms for its partners to identify the...
What Is an Assumed Business Name?
A company might request to use an assumed business name instead of its legal name for conducting business. This is more commonly known as a DBA (Doing Business As). In this article, I’ll explain why business owners might want to use an assumed business name, how to get one, and other important details for anyone considering using an alternate name for their company. Legal Name vs. Assumed Business Name Legal names: A Limited Liability Company’s (LLC) or C Corporation’s legal name is the one that is registered with the state on the entity’s formation documents. A Sole Proprietorship’s or...
Happy Mother’s Day
As a mother of four, I am very well aware of the challenges and pressures of raising kids today, especially while also running a business. I’ve learned a lot over the years—my first two kids were twins—so I had no choice but to learn quickly. In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to share some of what I’ve discovered over the past 21 years of being a mom. Be the best version of yourself in front of your children. No matter how you’re feeling at the moment, it's critical that you model healthy behavior. This means showing your kids the importance of being honest and trustworthy, keeping your...
How to Change an LLC’s Ownership Percentage
One of the reasons why entrepreneurs find the Limited Liability Company business structure attractive is that it gives them flexibility in dividing ownership among the LLC’s members. How you determine LLC ownership percentages can be based not only on members’ financial stakes in the company but also on the expertise they bring and the time and effort they spend managing and working in the business. While LLC members can have different ownership percentages, the ownership interests of all members in total must add up to 100%. For example, a multi-member LLC with three members might...
A New Approach to Setting Business Goals
Success means different things to different people. Regardless of how you define it, success depends on your goals and what you want from your business in the months and years ahead. Often, entrepreneurs think of their business goals as achieving specific metrics or dollar amounts. Paying attention to numbers is important, but I believe there’s much more to consider when pondering what success looks like and how to achieve it. As a serial entrepreneur, I can attest to this: your business affects virtually every aspect of your personal life. From your health and interpersonal relationships...
Can You Transfer LLC Ownership?
In the world of entrepreneurship, change comes in many forms and it is inevitable. People who were once robustly passionate about their business endeavors may find new opportunities or face life situations that lead them to focus on other priorities. What can you do if that happens to members of a Limited Liability Company (LLC)? LLC members might decide to transfer the ownership interests in their company for a variety of reasons. Ownership transfer can occur when new LLC members are added, one or more existing LLC members want to sell their shares of ownership, or an LLC member dies or...
What is a Certificate of Registration?
If you’re an accountant, attorney, or in the business of otherwise professionally advising entrepreneurs, you may have had clients inquire about what they need to do to expand their companies into other states. One of the most important steps involved in the process is to file a Certificate of Registration in the additional states where LLC or corporation wishes to conduct business. You may have heard it called by other names, such as foreign qualifying or filing a Certificate of Authority. Filing a Certificate of Registration means that the LLC or corporation wants to operate as a...
How to Legally Start an eCommerce Business
If you have been considering starting an eCommerce business, you’re exploring an industry with a promising outlook. The last few years have forced many people to buy products online and this new way of shopping isn't going away anytime soon. In today's article, we'll review the primary eCommerce considerations you'll need to think about and then we'll walk through the general legal steps for how to start an eCommerce business. Top Questions for Starting an Online Business As you work through the issues that I've shared below, I encourage you to research the industry you're interested in...
The Right Way to Terminate a Partnership Agreement
There are many reasons why you'd want to terminate a partnership agreement. The goals of one or both partners have changed, your working styles are incompatible, or there are fundamental disagreements about business operations and decisions. Whatever the reason, the partners must understand and follow the correct procedures and regulations for partnership termination, so all parties are legally separated from liability. What is a Partnership? A partnership is a legal entity where two (or more) people own and operate a business, and each partner owns a percentage of the assets and...
LLC’s: Best Biz Structure to House Multiple Properties
With any property, there are inherent liabilities — from a broken balcony railing to old electrical wiring or mold. The LLC forms a wall that shields individual owners from personal liability. If sued by a tenant or guest, the defendant is the LLC, not you. And the judgment can be collected only from the LLC's assets, and not from your own personal assets.
California LLC Franchise Tax Waived in First Year
Legislative Update Gives Exemption to New California Limited Liability Companies LLCs registered to do business in California must pay an annual franchise tax of $800 to the state's Franchise Tax Board (FTB). However, to relieve some of the financial pressures amid the pandemic for newly formed businesses, California Governor Gavin Newsome signed legislation in 2020 to exempt startups from paying the LLC franchise tax during their first year in business. This is welcome news for aspiring business owners in the Golden State! The new rules established by the state’s 2020 Budget Act (AB 85)...
