Starting a small business? Learn about LLCs, business plans, financing, and more. Everything you need to start and run a smart, successful small business.
Before you can decide how you want to structure your business, you'll need to know what your options are.
Corporations and S Corporations vs. LLCs
Which is better? There's no right answer to this question but some general principles may be helpful.
When Do Start-Up Businesses Need to Hire a Lawyer?
You may not need to hire a lawyer as soon as you think when starting a business.
Here's what you need to do to form a limited liability company.
How to Form a Single-Member LLC
Learn about some of the things you'll need to do when creating a new single-member LLC.
Most people have heard that forming a corporation provides "limited liability" -- that is, it limits your personal liability for
How to Start a Corporation in 7 Steps
If you've sorted through the many types of business structures and decided to start a corporation, you're
The sole proprietorship is the simplest legal structure for owning your own business.
How Sole Proprietors Are Taxed
As a sole proprietor you must report all business income or losses on your personal income tax return; the business itself is not taxed separately.
A partnership is a business with more than one owner that has not filed papers with the state to become a corporation or LLC (limited liability company).
You don't have to file any paperwork to establish a partnership -- you can create a partnership simply by agreeing to go into business with another person.
How to Register Your Business Name
You may need to register your business name with the local, state, or federal government -- especially if it's considered fictitious.
How to choose and register a successful business name.
Do You Need a Physical Address for Your Small Business?
Using your home address for your business is free, but doing so has its drawbacks.
Starting a Restaurant Business
Thinking about starting a restaurant? Start here for an overview of important legal and financial considerations.
Starting a Consulting Business
Starting a consulting business involves a particular set of legal considerations.
Contracts are legally binding agreements, and they pervade almost every aspect of our personal and business lives.
Contract negotiation is the process of give and take the parties go through to reach an agreement.
A bill of sale is the contract that's used most often for a car or other goods are bought and sold.