LLCs (Limited Liability Companies)

LLC Basics

LLC Basics
Learn the main features of an LLC, including liability protection and pass-through taxation.

How LLC Members Are Taxed
Learn how LLC owners report their LLC "pass-through" income and losses on their personal tax returns.

Key Advantages of an LLC
Understand the advantages the LLC entity offers over other business structures.

LLCs and Limited Liability - What Protection Do You Get?
Find out exactly what limited liability protection you get with an LLC.

LLC Asset Protection and Charging Orders
Can creditors go after LLC assets to pay off an LLC owner's personal debts? Find out the rules for your state.

Single-Member LLCs and Asset Protection
Learn about single-member LLCs, including the different liability protection they offer.

Strategies to Strengthen LLC Asset Protection
Learn some strategies for protecting your personal assets when you are an LLC owner.

LLC Formation

How to Form an LLC
Here is an overview of what you need to do to form an LLC.

50-State Guide to Forming an LLC
A comprehensive 50-state guide to each state's requirements for forming an LLC.

The LLC Operating Agreement
Read about why you need an operating agreement and what to include in one.

Steps to Form an LLC
A step-by-step guide to forming an LLC.

Corporations and S Corporations vs. LLCs
You may know you want limited liability, but how do you choose between a Corporation or S Corporation versus an LLC?

Sole Proprietorships vs. LLCs
Single owner businesses will want to understand the difference between these two business structures.

Partnerships vs. LLCs
Learn the differences between an LLC and partnership structure before deciding what entity is best for you.

Member-Managed LLCs Versus Manager-Managed LLCs
Learn the difference between the two different management structures for LLCs.

Where to Form Your LLC
What to weigh when deciding which state should be your LLC's home state.

Running Your LLC

Qualifying to Do Business Outside Your State
Learn about when you may have to qualify your LLC to do business in another state and what that involves.

LLC Owner Buyout Agreements
Buyout agreements decide what will happen if an LLC owner wants out. Find out why you need one, what they cover, and how you can create your own.

Buy-Sell Agreement FAQ
Find out who needs a buy-sell agreement and why, and answers to other common questions about buy-sell agreements.

Piercing the Corporate Veil: When LLCs and Corporations May be at Risk
Find out when an LLC or corporation's owners, members, or shareholders can be on the hook personally for business debt.

Are LLCs Required to Hold Meetings?
LLCs don't have the same corporate formality rules as corporations but there still are rules and best practices to follow.

LLC Record Keeping Rules
Like all businesses, LLCs must follow certain record keeping rules to avoid problems with the IRS, investors, owners, and others.

Choosing Your LLC's Fiscal Year
What you need to know about making this decision.

Funding Your LLC
Most LLCs need to raise capital to get started with their business. Read about some of the more commonly-used options for obtaining funding.

Dissolve Your LLC Properly to End Your Liability
Take the proper steps to terminate your LLC--and follow through--to avoid future liability.

Your LLC Annual Report Filing Requirements
Most states have reporting requirements for LLCs. Make sure you find out the rules for your state.

Types of LLCs

Professional Limited Liability Companies
Certain licensed professions, such as lawyers and accountants, must form a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) rather than the more common LLC.

What Is a Series LLC?
Series LLCs are a unique and relatively new form of LLC with one master LLC and other related but separate series LLCs.

L3Cs -- A Hybrid Low-Profit Business Entity
A relatively new form of LLC with a nonprofit goal.

LLC FAQs

Limited Liability Company (LLC) FAQ
Answers to all the basic LLC questions: from what is an LLC? to understanding securities laws issues with LLCs.

Must an LLC be formed in the same state in which it will operate?
Find out the answer to this question and other issues related to where you form your LLC.

Are LLC members taxed?
Learn about member tax obligations which vary depending on whether or not you are active in the business.

Does a Single Member LLC Need an EIN?
Find out the rules about single member LLCs and EINs.

Does My Business Need an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?
Learn the rules about which business structures need an EIN and how to obtain one.

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LLCs (Limited Liability Companies)