limited liability companyAn LLC, or limited liability company, is a business structure created by state law. The owners are called members. Most states do not restrict ownership, so members can be people, corporations, or other LLCs.
An LLC is a US business structure that offers the personal liability protection of a corporation with the pass-through taxation of a sole proprietorship or partnership. Forming an LLC is the simplest way of structuring your business to protect your personal assets in the event your business is sued.
Some of the benefits of an LLC include personal liability protection, tax flexibility, their easy startup process, less compliance paperwork, management flexibility, distribution flexibility, few ownership restrictions, charging orders, and the credibility they can give a business.
Advantages of an LLCRun Your Own Show. Entrepreneurs are self-starters who prefer to chart their own courses. ... Limit Your Personal Liability. ... Avoid Double Taxation and Pass-Through Deduction. ... Less Administrative Hassles and Paperwork. ... Flexibility in Sharing Profits.
Disadvantages of creating an LLC Cost: An LLC usually costs more to form and maintain than a sole proprietorship or general partnership. States charge an initial formation fee. Many states also impose ongoing fees, such as annual report and/or franchise tax fees. Check with your Secretary of State's office.
Pros and Cons of Limited Liability Corporations (LLC)The ProsThe ConsMembers are protected from some (or sometimes all) liability if the company runs into legal issues or debts.Unless you are running the LLC alone, the ownership of the business is spread across its members (this can also be a pro)5 more rows
You can't avoid self-employment taxes entirely, but forming a corporation or an LLC could save you thousands of dollars every year. If you form an LLC, people can only sue you for its assets, while your personal assets stay protected. You can have your LLC taxed as an S Corporation to avoid self-employment taxes.
An LLC is typically treated as a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes. This means that the LLC itself doesn't pay taxes on business income. The members of the LLC pay taxes on their share of the LLC's profits. State or local governments might levy additional LLC taxes.
Getting paid as a single-member LLC Instead, you are paid directly through what is known as an “owner's draw” from the profits that your company earns. This means you withdraw funds from your business for personal use.
In most states, forming an LLC doesn't require a business license, but you'll need to follow your state's procedures. An LLC requires registering with the state and filing the appropriate forms. But even though you don't need a business license to form an LLC, you probably need one to operate the LLC as a business.
Forming an LLC not only gives your small business credibility, but it also allows you to protect your personal assets, gain access to unique tax breaks, and establish a centralized structure for your enterprise. Once you have your LLC established, you need a business banking partner to help you manage your finances.
What Type of Liability Protection Do You Get With an LLC? The main reason people form LLCs is to avoid personal liability for the debts of a business they own or are involved in. By forming an LLC, only the LLC is liable for the debts and liabilities incurred by the business—not the owners or managers.