Steps to Form an LLC
You do not need an attorney to form an LLC. Most states allow LLC formation by registering the business entity on your secretary of state's website and with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Once you register, you can buy or rent a building and have company bank accounts.
When an LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation using a Form 8832 with the IRS, the LLC must file a corporate tax return, even if it do not have any income. To clarify, all corporations including S-Corporations MUST file a tax return, even if they do not have any income.
Probably the most obvious advantage to forming an LLC is protecting your personal assets by limiting the liability to the resources of the business itself. In most cases, the LLC will protect your personal assets from claims against the business, including lawsuits. ... There is also the tax benefit to an LLC.
If money's tight, or you don't want to use a company formation service, we've got good news for you — you can form an LLC yourself. Although you'll still need to pay your state filing fees (they're unavoidable!), you can save on the costs of having your LLC filed through a professional incorporation business.
More expensive than some other services: The cost of forming a LegalZoom LLC ranges from $79 to $359 plus filing fees. Other websites provide similar services for filing fees only (as part of a trial) or from $49 plus filing fees.
An LLC is often an appropriate choice for small businesses because it offers reasonable liability protection with a minimal amount of paperwork and regulatory burden. Consider the pros and cons of each structure — and if you aren't sure, it's best to start with a simpler sole proprietorship or partnership structure.
But even though an inactive LLC has no income or expenses for a year, it might still be required to file a federal income tax return. LLC tax filing requirements depend on the way the LLC is taxed. An LLC may be disregarded as an entity for tax purposes, or it may be taxed as a partnership or a corporation.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) only allows reasonable wages as a deduction, so be sure any salary you pay yourself is within industry norms. You can also issue bonuses to LLC members who are employees, including yourself. Again, these must be reasonable related to the salary being paid.
The Top Tax Deductions for Your Small Business
Profits subject to social security and medicare taxes. In some circumstances, owners of an LLC may end up paying more taxes than owners of a corporation. Salaries and profits of an LLC are subject to self-employment taxes, currently equal to a combined 15.3%.
As the owner of a single-member LLC, you don't get paid a salary or wages. Instead, you pay yourself by taking money out of the LLC's profits as needed. That's called an owner's draw. You can simply write yourself a check or transfer the money from your LLC's bank account to your personal bank account.
You don't need an LLC to start a business, but, for many businesses the benefits of an LLC far outweigh the cost and hassle of setting one up. by Jane Haskins, Esq. An LLC, or limited liability company, provides personal liability protection and a formal business structure.
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