Articles Tagged with LLC

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AdobeStock_193656039-300x200Many Californians start their own business without creating a separate legal entity. An individual who does this is known as a sole proprietor. If this describes your current setup, you may want to consider adopting a more formal structure, such as a limited liability company, as your business continues to grow. The California LLC attorneys at Structure Law Group can advise you of the risks and rewards of such a move.

Legal Liability and Tax Considerations

The benefit of being a sole proprietor is that you generally do not need to file much if any legal paperwork. Any income or losses incurred through the business is simply reported on your personal tax return at the end of the year on your IRS Schedule C.

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AdobeStock_377903759-300x200Incorporating a business in Texas involves filing incorporation paperwork with the Texas Secretary of State through a fill-in-the-blank certificate of formation that can be completed with or without the help of a lawyer. The Texas Secretary of State recommends that a decision regarding the business structure is one a person should make in consultation with a Texas corporate lawyer and accountant.

An individual person, other corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and foreign entities can all incorporate businesses in Texas. Incorporating a business will protect the personal assets of a company’s shareholders from business obligations and debts. This article provides an overview of the steps involved in forming a Texas corporation.

Selecting a Corporate Name

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Untitled-design-54-300x214If you have an LLC from another state, you might wonder whether you need to move it to California. This process of conversion (also called “domestication”) does take time and effort. There are, however, important reasons why you should invest in this legal protection. The San Jose LLC attorneys at Structure Law Group are here to answer all your questions about out-of-state LLCs. Our San Jose business formation lawyers have helped many business owners find the right business entity, form their business properly, and domesticate out-of-state businesses as California LLCs. Learn more about how to move your out-of-state LLC to California properly.

How do I file paperwork to domesticate a “foreign” LLC?

The Office of the Secretary of State handles conversions of out-of-state LLCs. (The term “foreign” business refers to any business established outside of California, even if it is inside the U.S.) Forms and fees must be submitted to this office, and it is important to be sure that your paperwork is completed correctly. Errors can leave your business without LLC protection.

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AdobeStock_308752576-300x200Many business owners form limited liability companies (LLCs) or corporations specifically to create a business entity that will be separate from themselves and spare them personal liability. The alter ego theory often applies in many cases in which parties seek to “pierce the corporate veil” and hold a corporate officer accountable for their company’s misdeeds, and any person facing these types of issues will want to quickly contact a Texas corporate attorney.

The alter ego theory establishes that people can be liable when they are using a corporation to engage in fraud and shield themselves from liability. While courts have long recognized most business entities as being legitimately free from liability, the alter ego theory allows courts to impose liability on bad actors.

Texas Laws Relating to Alter Ego

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AdobeStock_244916454-300x200A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of business entity. When formed properly and managed correctly, this business type can offer some protection from liability. Many business owners prefer the LLC because it can protect their personal assets from being used to satisfy the debts of the business. An LLC is not, however, the only business entity type that exists. Los Angeles business owners should consult with a business formation lawyer to explore the different options. A Los Angeles business formation attorney can help you select the business entity that best meets your specific business goals. At Structure Law Group, LLP our experienced Los Angeles LLC lawyers help entrepreneurs form LLCs to protect their assets and run these businesses in ways that minimize the LLC owners’ personal liability.

What Are the Benefits of an LLC?

There are many benefits to forming an LLC. When one or more owners – also referred to as “members” – form an LLC, these members can protect their personal assets from being used to satisfy business debts. Only their initial investments are placed at risk. However, there are many legal formalities that must be observed to enjoy this protection. The LLC must be formed properly under state laws. Here in California, doing so means filing the required paperwork with the California Secretary of State’s office. The business must also observe certain formalities in the way it is run post-formation. This observation of formalities requirement means that LLC owners do not simply get automatic protection as soon as they have filed the LLC paperwork with the relevant state.

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AdobeStock_255732380-300x200There is no legal requirement that you have an attorney to set up an LLC. There is also no legal requirement that you have a defense lawyer represent you in the criminal court, but in both cases, your legal rights can be seriously impaired if you do not get legal advice. Structure Law Group is a Bay Area business law firm that helps business owners set up LLCs with as much legal protection as possible. Our Silicon Valley LLC attorneys have helped entrepreneurs form businesses in a wide range of industries.  Here are some of the most important reasons you should hire a lawyer to help you set up your LLC.

A lawyer will make sure you select the right business entity.

There are many business entities from which to choose. An LLC is just one of several options, and it may not be right in every situation. It is important to consult with a business formation attorney to be sure that you are selecting the best business entity for your specific needs. The IRS recognizes many business entities, including:

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Untitled-design-22-300x200A limited liability company (LLC) is an option for people wishing to start a business in California that combines the tax advantages and flexibility of partnerships with the liability protection that comes with a corporation.

Starting an LLC in California still requires rigorous oversight. Make sure you are working with a Silicon Valley start-up company attorney at the best start-up law firm in Silicon Valley, Structure Law Group, LLP.

Limited Liability

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AdobeStock_386942563-300x131Entrepreneurs of all kinds face a daunting choice when trying to determine whether to establish their businesses as limited liability companies (LLCs) or S Corporations (S-corps). While an LLC will be a separate business structure, an S Corporation is actually a tax status, so forming an LLC involves filing paperwork with the state of California, while an S Corporation will involve filing paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The decision between LLC and S-Corp status is not an easy one to make, so make sure you have proper legal guidance every step of the way. You will want to work with a San Jose business formation attorney at Structure Law Group, LLP.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LLCs

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LLC-300x297As a business owner, one of the first decisions you will make is to choose a business entity type. California recognizes many different types of business entities. Each comes with both benefits and limitations, so it is important to work with an experienced California business lawyer to be sure that you select the business entity type that is right for your unique business. The right business entity type can give you flexibility in running your business, confer tax benefits, and ensure that your new business is run as effectively as possible. Learn more about the flexibility – and limitations – of LLCs and corporations in California.

Flexibility Of LLCs Versus Corporations

Many business owners are familiar with the benefits of an LLC. Because the company is created with limited liability, owners can not generally be held personally liable for debts of the business so long as they continue to meet LLC legal requirements. This means that the business owner’s liability is usually limited to whatever funds are invested in the business. Entrepreneurs are usually familiar with these benefits and instinctively want to form an LLC to avail themselves of these benefits. But an LLC is not the only business entity you can form. In some cases, a corporation might give your business greater flexibility to raise funds and conduct business.

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AdobeStock_288866301-300x200When real estate is transferred in California, it generally constitutes a change in ownership that triggers a reassessment of the taxable value of that property. There are, however, a few key exclusions that can be used to avoid this trigger and protect your business from added tax liability. If you are considering transferring any property to or from your business, be sure to consult with an attorney about the best way to do this. The investment of attorney’s fees can pay dividends in reduced legal and tax liabilities. Errors, however, can lead to costly reassessments, in addition to tax penalties and interest on the added amount due.

Protecting Property Through the Creation of a Business Entity

There are a few different ways to transfer property to a business entity without triggering a reassessment. One is the legal entity exclusion. This rule allows you to avoid a reassessment if 50 percent or less of the interest in a legal entity is transferred to another legal entity. So if real property is held by a legal entity, up to half of the interest in that legal entity can be transferred without triggering a reassessment. If 51 percent or more of the legal interest is transferred, there will be a reassessment. The strategy is often used by business owners who are creating a new legal entity without changing the ownership of their business.

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