One of the first difficult decisions you must make when starting a business is choosing your business entity type. It can get confusing to research what the differences are and what each entity means. I will be breaking down each one below so that you’ll have a better understanding of just what you can set up. What is a Business Structure? A business structure is a legal/government classification which determines several factors in your business. Your type of entity determines the type of taxation used for your business, the personal liability attached to it, and lastly how much and what type of paper work you must file. These factors can become obstacles if you choose the wrong entity which is why it is important to research before your form one. Of course, you can always change your entity in the future, but it usually involves a lot of confusion between your business and IRS! Sole Proprietorship A sole proprietorship is the most common entity used by small businesses because it can often be the simplest. It’s formed with minimal paperwork in some states and absolutely none in others. Due to there only being a single owner, this person has complete
If you’re thinking about or just started your business, we want to tell you about a valuable resource. This resource is dedicated to small businesses and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise and is the the nation’s ONLY Federal go-to resource and voice for small businesses. What is the SBA and what does it stand for? The Small Business Administration, or SBA, is an independent government agency which intends to provide support towards small businesses and entrepreneurs. They do this to promote growth, recovery, and confidence within small businesses. SBA was created in 1953 becoming the only federal agency fully dedicated to help small businesses. How is the SBA organized? Headquarters Offices These offices are a little of everything. Therefore, they are broken down intro offices of advocacy, contracting, counseling, disaster assistance, financial assistance, international trade, and management. To add onto this, they also share small business audiences to make people feel included and supported. In this section they have Women’s Business Ownership, Office of Native American Affairs, and Office of Veterans Business Development. Regional Offices This page provides additional support to find an exact location. This provides you the ability to find what you are looking for in an
What is a C-Corp? So you might be asking, what is a C-Corp and how is it taxed? A C-Corporation is a legal structure of business in which the owners and shareholders are separate from the corporation. This means that the income made by the owner is taxed separately than the corporation. This type of corporation offers unlimited growth potential through the sale of stock; which can attract investors. There is no limit to the number of shareholders a C-Corp can have. Also, C-Corporations limit the liability of investment holders and firm owners. This is because the most they can lose is the amount of investment they put into the company if the business were to fail. How is a C-Corp taxed? C-Corps pay corporate income tax on earnings before they distribute their profits to the shareholders. Distributing their profits to shareholders is most commonly known as a dividend. As mentioned before, the taxation of the corporation is separate from the owners and shareholders. It is important to note though that the dividends handed out to the shareholders have to be claimed on their personal taxes. This is what is commonly known as double taxation. How does a C-Corp operate?
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the worries that come with building your business? The journey to starting a business is different for everyone, but the common thing you’ll have with other owners are the long and hard hours of starting it. We know that it can be overwhelming having to run every aspect of your business yourself. When you want your business to succeed it is also worrisome that you might mess up in the process. Here we’ll focus on six of the most common mistakes new business owners make. Failing to have a business plan Creating a business plan can be difficult, but doing so is a necessity. A business plan shows what direction you see your business going in. In your business plan you want to include an executive summary as well as a company description. These two categories show why you are doing what you are. Next you want to include your market analysis which gives you an idea of how the economy and competition are doing in your area. You will also include how you plan to operate and run your business from the inside. This means day to day work, employees, yourself, etc. Going a
What is a Minority or MBE Certification? Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification is intended for businesses to show their diversity. In order to qualify for this certification, you must have a for-profit business which has been running for at least a year in the United States. The main requirement is that at least 51% of the owners should have a minority background such as African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and more. The company’s day to day operations must also be controlled by a person of color. To ensure all this is true, the business goes through an application process including a site visit from the certifying organization. How can I get my MBE Certification? A lot of different organizations can provide the certification. To get started, you must fill out the related documents and take them to the organization you choose. After completing the application process, the business must also receive a visit from the organization to get an idea of how the business operates. This certification will “typically” be valid for 5 years before having to renew. However, some organizations will require you to certify every year to maintain the qualification. To get started check out the National