Starting a New Business in 2021: Is an LLC Right for Me?

According to recent Census data, there are 459,144 businesses in the United States in 2021, this total is up 2.1% from 2020. For a variety of reasons, limited liability companies (LLCs) are a popular choice for new enterprises .

Below we will discuss how to form an LLC and the things to think about before doing so, for more information, learn more on the Incorporation Rocket website:

An LLC defined

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a legal business entity that combines corporate and sole proprietorship characteristics. A limited liability company (LLC) might have a single owner or several owners, referred to as members. According to the IRS, the company’s shares can be distributed unevenly, offering chances for both senior and junior members within the company.

The paperwork is the primary reason why entrepreneurs choose an LLC from a standard corporation. Bylaws, minutes from various meetings, and stock ledgers are just a few of the documents that corporations must retain. LLCs have substantially less paperwork, with the filing of an annual report being the most necessary.

There are five requirements for forming a limited liability company (LLC):

• Your limited liability company (LLC) must be given a name.
• The LLC’s members’ names, addresses, and signatures must be submitted.
• A registered agent, who might be the owner or a third-party service, is required for every LLC.
• Proof of the business’s physical location
• The management style used by the company

What are the advantages of forming an LLC?

As previously stated, an LLC gives limited liability to the owner or owners, meaning that each owner is not personally accountable for any company-related litigation or obligations. Creditors cannot seize or collect funds from your personal assets to pay off the business’s debts, in other words. Only the company’s assets are subject to seizure by creditors. LLCs are less complicated to set up and administer than corporations. Meetings of directors, officers, and the board of directors are essential for corporations.

Because the company’s profits and losses are reported on the owner’s personal tax return, LLCs have tax advantages. When the owner receives a salary from the company, the profit earned by the business is not taxed both at the business and personal levels. Rather, the profit earned by the business is routed through the business entity and reported just once on the owner’s personal tax return for tax purposes.

LLCs also have the advantage of being able to be formed in a variety of ways. There are no limitations on the number of members an LLC can have, and it can function as a sole proprietorship with just one owner. The owner of an LLC can also choose a manager to administer the business, who can be one of the chosen members, a non-member, or a combination of the two.

Steps to LLC formation

Select your state

The best option for most new business owners is to register an LLC in the state where they live and plan to do business. You’ll need to form a foreign LLC in each state where your business will have a physical presence (storefronts, offices, sales reps, etc.).

Choose a name for your LLC.

The choice of a business name is the first step in forming an LLC. You must do an online business name search and follow your state’s naming guidelines to verify that your LLC name is unique. Each state has its own requirements and there are set out regulations regarding choosing a name. 

Select a registered agent for your business.

A registered agent is a person or firm that receives and sends legal documents on your behalf. These documents include official letters such as legal summons and state filing notices. Most states need the business name to have a registered agent when incorporating an LLC. A resident of the state in which you do business or a corporation allowed to do business in that state must serve as your registered agent.

Articles of Organization

You must file your formation documents with the state’s business division, generally the Secretary of State, in order to form an LLC. In some states, the Articles of Organization are also referred to as the Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization.

Operating Agreement

An LLC operating agreement is a legal document that outlines the ownership structure and member roles of a limited liability company. Although an operating agreement is not required in most jurisdictions, it is nevertheless a good idea to establish one when incorporating an LLC.

Obtain an EIN

The final step is to obtain an EIN number. Your LLC’s equivalent of a Social Security number is an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN) (SSN). You’ll need an EIN to hire staff or open a business bank account.

Final Thought

Because it combines some of the benefits of corporations with those of informal organizations like general partnerships, the limited liability company (LLC) is a popular business entity type. With regards to forming an LLC, 3-rd party information providers can offer excellent assistance through reviews. The end result could be a sound new business, using a great structure, such as an LLC, which is fluid and agile while still maintaining professionalism and credibility.

Produced in Association with Incorporation Rocket.