FORMING YOUR BUSINESS:LLCAn LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a distinct type of business that offers an alternative to partnerships and corporations by combining the corporate advantages of limited liability with the partnership advantage of pass-through taxation. C-CorporationC-Corporation is the most common type of incorporation. It is suitable for a for-profit, state-incorporated business. A company registration is done with state authorities and must abide by corporate laws in the state where it is incorporated. S-CorporationS-Corporation is an advanced form of corporation, usually more suitable for small businesses then regular C-Corporation. Forming S-Corporation has several advantages as well as disadvantages - NonprofitA non-profit organization (abbreviated as NPO, also known as a not-for-profit organization) is an organization that does not distribute its excess profits to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its goals. Company Name ReservationIf you are not ready to incorporate or form an LLC, but would like to reserve your business name, we offer a Name Reservation service. Read more... Federal Tax ID (EIN)An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used to identify a business for tax purposes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A business is required to obtain a Federal Employer ID Number if it hires employees or meets other IRS guidelines. Registered AgentA registered agent is the person appointed to accept legal documents on behalf of the corporation. If someone sues you, the papers will be served to the registered agent at the registered office. Kit & SealA Corporate Kit is a binder containing essential items for the maintenance and administration of a corporation or an LLC. Corporate seal is a device made to either emboss or imprint certain company information onto documents. Newspaper PublicationPublication of a legal announcement (or legal advertising) is a form of classified advertising usually mandated by a state or local law. Legal announcements are published in approved newspapers or journals that serve to inform the public in a specified area. Apostille & Embassy CertificationAn Apostille is a one page document embossed with a State Seal that certifies the Articles of Organization or Incorporation issued in the United States for use in another country. There are currently over 100 countries that recognize an Apostille certificate as a substitute for official legalization of documents. |
EXPANDING YOUR BUSINESS:Foreign QualificationAll business entities who want to conduct their business in the state other than the state they were formed, must obtain authority to do so from the concerned state department. This process is commonly referred to as "foreign entity qualification". Trade Name (DBA)A fictitious business name, assumed business name, or DBA ("doing business as") allows you to legally do business as a particular name at minimal cost, and without having to create an entirely new business entity. Sales Tax IDSales Tax ID Number or Sales Tax Exemption Certificate is a legal document issued by the state. This certificate of authority gives your business the authority to collect the required sales and use taxes, and to issue appropriate sales tax exemption documents, including resale certificates used for purchasing inventory. Business LicensesEvery business must ensure that it maintains the appropriate licenses, permits and tax registrations before doing business. Licensing requirements can be mandated from the local, state and federal levels. MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS:S-Corporation ElectionAn eligible domestic corporation can avoid double taxation (once to the shareholders and again to the corporation) by electing to be treated as an S corporation. Amendment of Company InformationIf you decide to officially change the name of your business entity, add or remove members, officers, managers, business or mailing address, registered agent, or other company details specified in the company Articles, you need to file Articles of Amendment with the state of formation. Entity DissolutionWhen a business entity is no longer doing business or even if it was never used for anything, it is very important that it follows the legal steps in "winding itself up" as a legal entity. Certificate of Good StandingBusiness often need proof that they are in good standing in order to obtain financing, renew licenses or enter into other business transactions. In order to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing or certificate of existence, business or other organization must be current on all tax filings and obligations. Certified CopiesA certified copy is a duplicate of an original document that is certified as a true copy by the officer having custody of the original. If the original(s) are ever lost or misplaced, requesting a certified copy from the state of formation or qualification is advisable. |
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