How to Form an LLC

As a small business owner, you might choose theThis is not the case with an S-Corporation, which
easy and economical method to incorporate online.requires the owner to be a natural U.S. citizen or a
There are several online services available that canlegal resident; no corporation or person living outside
help with incorporating your business in one state orthe U.S. can own an S-Corporation here. The
several. There is some paperwork involved in eachmembers of the LLC can decide on their own how to
state in which you want to conduct business, as welldivide up the profits or losses of the business, unlike
as fees that must be paid, and it is helpful to makeother forms of incorporation.
sure all aspects of incorporation are properly handledA limited liability corporation may be required to pay
by making use of an incorporating online companyMedicare and Social Security taxes on all of the
devoted to providing this service. One type ofbusiness profits that the business makes. In terms of
corporation that appeals to many small businessthese types of taxes, if your business deals with the
owners is the limited liability company. Here are someareas of engineering and design, the law or health
points you will need to consider when forming an suchcare, you will likely need to consult with an accountant
a corporate structure.or tax adviser in order to determine if this business
Several small business owners choose to form anstructure will adequately meet your specific business's
LLC when they go about incorporating their business.needs.
The limited liability company, is the easiest to form inEach state has slightly differing requirements
terms of the paperwork required to be submitted toconcerning the formation of an LLC. If you are a
the state, as well as ongoing business records thatlicensed professional wanted to incorporate in
must be kept. Because the rules governing such aCalifornia, for example, California law forbids limited
business entity do not require annual meetings, there isliability companies from providing professional services
no record keeping involved for this business aspect,as an individual. If you are not a licensed professional,
which is unlike other corporation formats that requireyou may form an LLC in California, but you will be
such records.required to pay an $800 tax for the privilege of doing
A LLC can be owned and operated by a citizen ofbusiness in the state, plus an extra annual LLC fee that
the United States, a resident alien or another person oris based on a percentage of all of your total income
corporate entity outside or inside the United States.for the year from all sources.