LLC stands for Limited Liability Company – a phrase that you’ve probably heard in the business industry but might not understand how it works. If you own a small business or are getting ready to start a new venture, then you might want to talk to an attorney about the benefits of setting up an LLC.
What Is an LLC?
A Limited Liability Company is a business structure that creates a separate entity for your business. So, the company is entirely independent of you.
With this structure, the members of the company do not hold any personal responsibility for business liabilities or debts. So, if something catastrophic happens to the company, you don’t have to worry about losing personal assets or going through bankruptcy.
Even if the business is going through a legal battle, the LLC provides a layer of protection so members’ assets can’t be seized to pay the debt obligations.
How an LLC Works
An LLC is similar to the process of having a corporation. The main difference between an LLC and a corporation is that individual owners are taxed separately from the corporation. On the other hand, LLCs have money flowing from the business to the individuals, which means you pay personal income tax rates on profits instead of corporate income tax rates. Using this approach is beneficial to reduce the tax burden due to double taxation.
An LLC is set up with an ownership/management structure. When you are using an ownership structure, you are a “member” of the LLC. Members handle the business’s daily operations and are the decision-makers in the company.
Why Should You Set Up an LLC?
There are many different business structures to choose from, which is why it’s wise to talk to an attorney to decide on the proper structure for your business activities. Here are a few benefits you can expect if you decide that an LLC is the right structure for your needs:
- Liability protection for the business owners
- Avoids many of the corporation requirements
- Personal assets are protected if there are lawsuits or business debts
- You can set up an unlimited number of members
- An allocation of profits helps with specific accounting and taxation strategies
If you’re just starting out or you’re considering restructuring your business, Shoup Legal is here to help. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you decide whether an LLC is right for you.
Give us a call today at (951) 445-4114 or email us at [email protected].