Starting a business is exciting, but choosing the wrong legal structure can lead to unforeseen financial, tax, and liability issues. Selecting the correct business entity—a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Non-Profit—has enormous financial implications that can affect your business’s success. With so many options, making the right decision can be overwhelming.
At TEAMBASED Tax Services, we specialize in Business Entity Selection services, guiding you through every option and its potential impact. Whether you’re just starting or considering restructuring, our team can handle all the paperwork and provide customized advice to ensure your business thrives legally and financially.
TEAMBASED Tax Services is here to simplify your entity selection process—Get expert guidance now!
At TEAMBASED, your success is our foremost concern. We adopt a client-first approach, dedicating time to listen to your needs and address your concerns. We prioritize clear communication and continuous support. Our team can always answer your questions.
Business Entity Selection determines the legal structure that best suits your business needs. Each entity type—whether an LLC, LLP (Limited Liability Partnership), Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship—offers different levels of personal liability protection, tax advantages, and legal requirements. The choice of business entity impacts your tax obligations, personal asset protection, and how you report profits and losses.
At TEAMBASED Tax Services, our certified financial advisors can help you explore each entity option in detail and explain its legal, tax, and financial implications.
Each structure has unique characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks, making choosing the right one for your needs essential. By understanding these business entities, you can make informed decisions that will shape the future of your enterprise.
A Sole Proprietorship is the simplest business structure, where one person owns and operates the business. This structure is typically best for freelancers, consultants, or small businesses with low risk. Setting up and maintaining is easy, with minimal paperwork and low costs. The owner has full control of the business and keeps all the profits. However, the owner also has unlimited personal liability, meaning their personal assets are at risk if the business incurs debts or legal issues.
An LLC provides personal liability protection for its owners, which means their personal assets are protected from business debts. This structure is often ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that want liability protection without the complexity of a corporation. It also offers flexible taxation options, taxing the business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, depending on what benefits the owners most. LLCs require fewer formalities than corporations and allow for an unlimited number of members.
However, LLCs come with state-specific rules and fees, and there are some required formalities, such as annual filings and operating agreements.
A Partnership allows two or more people to share ownership of a business. In a General Partnership, all partners share responsibility for the business’s debts and liabilities. In a Limited Partnership (L.P.), one or more general partners manage the business, while limited partners only invest and are liable only for their investment.
Partnerships are simple to form and offer pass-through taxation, but general partners have unlimited personal liability, which can be risky. This structure is common for professional services like law or accounting firms.
An LLP is similar to a General Partnership but with limited liability protection for all partners. This means that partners aren’t personally responsible for the actions or negligence of other partners. LLPs are typically ideal for professional firms like law or accounting practices where partners want to share profits but limit personal liability
A Corporation is a separate legal entity from its owners, providing the strongest liability protection. It can raise capital by selling shares and has an unlimited lifespan since it exists independently of its owners. However, it faces double taxation, meaning profits are taxed at the corporate level and again when distributed to shareholders.
Corporations require more formalities, such as holding annual meetings and keeping detailed records, and are more costly to set up and maintain. This structure is ideal for larger businesses or those seeking significant investment.
An S Corporation avoids double taxation by allowing profits to pass to shareholders’ tax returns. It still provides limited liability protection but is subject to stricter eligibility requirements, such as a limit of 100 shareholders and only U.S. citizens or residents being allowed as shareholders.
S-Corps are a good choice for businesses that want liability protection with pass-through taxation, but they come with more formalities than an LLC.
A Non-Profit is created to pursue charitable, educational, or social goals rather than profit. Nonprofits can apply for tax-exempt status, meaning they don’t pay taxes on their income.
They provide personal liability protection and can receive grants and donations, but they are subject to strict regulations and reporting requirements and cannot distribute profits to owners or directors. Nonprofits are suited for organizations that focus on missions like charity, education, or religion.
A DBA allows you to operate under a different business name without forming a separate legal entity. It’s simple and inexpensive to file, and it allows flexibility in branding without the need to create a new entity. However, a DBA doesn’t provide any liability protection, as it’s still tied to the underlying legal structure of the business.
This option is popular for sole proprietors or LLCs operating under a new brand name.
A business entity is the legal structure of your business, such as an LLC, Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship. It’s crucial because it determines your personal liability, how much you pay in taxes, and your ability to raise capital.
Each entity type has different tax advantages and obligations. For example, LLCs offer pass-through taxation, while corporations may face double taxation. Our tax experts explain how each structure affects your tax liability.
Yes, as your business grows or your needs change, you can change your business entity. TEAMBASED Tax Services can guide you through restructuring and ensure all the proper paperwork is filed.
An LLC offers personal liability protection and flexible tax options, while corporations are typically better suited for larger businesses and those seeking outside investors. We can help you weigh the pros and cons of each.
A Series LLC is a type of limited liability company (LLC) structure that allows a “parent” LLC to have multiple, independent “series” or divisions, where each series can have its own assets and liabilities, providing an extra layer of liability protection compared to a traditional LLC, similar to an S-Corp.
Yes, even freelancers can benefit from forming an entity like an LLC to protect personal assets and minimize taxes. We’ll help you determine if forming an entity is right for you.
It depends on your business model, goals, and growth plans. Our advisors help you choose the entity that offers the most advantages as you start.
Absolutely! We’ll help you navigate the requirements for forming a Non-Profit and handle all the necessary filings.
Choosing the right business entity is critical in setting up your business for success. With so many factors to consider—tax obligations, personal liability, and future growth—it’s essential to get expert advice. At TEAMBASED Tax Services, our certified tax professionals, enrolled agents, and certified financial advisors are here to guide you throughout the process.
We’re committed to helping you choose the right business structure to fit your needs and goals.