The business structure you choose for your startup will affect your company from a legal standpoint, and it will have an impact on your taxes, as well. Before you decide on the structure for your small business, you should do some research and talk to tax and legal professionals for guidance. The better you understand your options, the more likely you’ll be to operate under the structure that will benefit your business the most.

An overview of a few of the most common business structures

Sole Proprietorship

By default, businesses are considered sole proprietorships (partnerships if more than one owner) if their owners don’t register them formally as independent entities. Many at-home businesses start this way because sole proprietorships require the least amount of registration paperwork and ongoing compliance efforts. From an income tax perspective, a sole proprietorship is also considered one in the same as its owner. Your business profits and losses flow through to your personal income tax return.

(Note that with a sole proprietorship, your personal assets are not separated from those of your business. This poses some risks. Your home, bank accounts, retirement savings, and other personal belongings might be in jeopardy if someone were to sue your company. When you form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or incorporate your business, however, your personal assets receive some protection from legal action brought against your business. Be aware liability protection and tax treatment may vary depending on the state where a business is incorporated, so it’s important to talk with an attorney and tax professional. 

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

You can form an LLC as either a single-member (single owner) or multi-member (multiple owners). This legal structure provides the limited liability advantages of a corporation and the flexibility of a sole proprietorship. As with sole proprietorships/partnerships, an LLC’s profits and losses flow through to owners’ personal income tax returns. In addition, LLCs offer some tax flexibility; you can elect to have your LLC taxed as an S Corporation or a C Corporation.

S Corporation

The S Corporation structure has gained the favor of many small business owners because it offers one level of tax at the shareholder level and some relief from the self-employment tax burden on owners. Only an owner’s reasonable wages/salaries are subject to self-employment (FICA) tax, and profit distributions to shareholders flow through to the individual shareholders’ income tax returns.

C Corporation

C Corporations offer more extensive personal liability protection and growth potential than other structures, and the way income taxes are applied differentiates this structure, too. With a C Corp, income is taxed at the corporate tax rate when your business earns it. Profits are then taxed again at the personal income tax rates when shareholders’ distributions are made.

Partnerships

Another important type of business structure, partnerships come in different legal forms, including corporations, limit liability, and managerial control. Tax treatment and personal liability protection vary depending on the type of partnership you form and the state in which you incorporate.

Get the right help to make the right choice

The information we’ve provided here is meant to share some of the basics you should know when deciding on the business structure for your small business. It is not intended as professional legal or accounting advice. Carefully consider your type of business and long-term plans when determining the best legal structure for your business. We also recommend you consult a reputable attorney and business tax expert for insight and guidance. If you need help finding trustworthy professionals in your area, talk with your local SCORE chapter for recommendations.

If you would like help with this process, or other aspects of your established or start-up business, the volunteers at SCORE are available to help.

SCORE is a nationwide network of over 13,000 experienced volunteer executives offering free assistance to small businesses looking for mentoring, counseling, tools and workshops.

The Polk County Branch of SCORE can be reached at 828-351-9003 or via email at scorepolkcounty@gmail.com.