Entrepreneur

Major Factors To Consider When Selling Your Business

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Doug was recently quoted in an article on Forbes and about how you need to be wary of potential bad actors when you sell your business “[c]ompetitors often express an interest in purchasing a business merely to gain as much information about that business as possible with no intent of actually completing the purchase. Be… Read More

Doug was recently quoted in an article on Forbes and about how you need to be wary of potential bad actors when you sell your business “[c]ompetitors often express an interest in purchasing a business merely to gain as much information about that business as possible with no intent of actually completing the purchase. Be sure to have a solid mutual non-disclosure agreement in place before you share any of your confidential information, and trust your gut before you share too much of your company’s secret sauce.”

If you are interested in reading the remaining factors to consider when selling your business, feel free to check out the full article on Forbes!

Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Bend Law Group, PC, expressly disclaims all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this article.

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What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Legal Entities

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By: Doug Bend Doug Bend was recently interviewed by Leo Manzione on what entrepreneurs need to know about LLCs and corporations. Leo is a Partner and Business Coach with Run Right Consulting. You can view the video here. Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current… Read More

By: Doug Bend

Doug Bend was recently interviewed by Leo Manzione on what entrepreneurs need to know about LLCs and corporations. Leo is a Partner and Business Coach with Run Right Consulting. You can view the video here.

Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.  Bend Law Group, PC expressly disclaims all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this article.

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Should Your Business Be an LLC or a Corporation?

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This post was originally published on Yahoo Small Business Advisor Entrepreneurs can generally choose from a number of different entities when incorporating their business. Due to the fluid nature of businesses, however, the advantages and disadvantages are not always clear at the time of formation. Limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations are the two most… Read More

This post was originally published on Yahoo Small Business Advisor

Entrepreneurs can generally choose from a number of different entities when incorporating their business. Due to the fluid nature of businesses, however, the advantages and disadvantages are not always clear at the time of formation.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations are the two most typically attractive options for small businesses considering incorporation. Unlike sole proprietorships and general partnerships, members of LLCs and shareholders of corporations have limited liability and greater protection for their personal assets. Members and shareholders can limit their liability and protect their personal assets from creditors.

But if both options offer owners liability protection, why do some business owners choose to form an LLC instead of a corporation, and vice versa? Below are some considerations to help you decide what type of entity might be the best fit for your business.

1. Corporate Formalities

Unlike a corporation, an LLC does not have to hold regular meetings and keep corporate minutes, which reduces the paperwork of maintaining your entity.

2. Taxation

The tax default for an LLC is treated as a pass-through entity, meaning the profits or losses from the entity pass through directly to the owners. Owners of an LLC can instead elect for it to be taxed as a C or S corporation so they can access certain tax advantages based the company’s income and expenses. The tax default for a corporation is subject to taxation at both the entity and the owner level. A corporation can also elect to be taxed as an S corporation which, like LLCs, allows for pass-through taxation. However, additional restrictions regarding who can be a shareholder of the corporation exist if you elect to be taxed as an S corporation. For example, S corporations can have no more than 100 shareholders and can have only one class of stock.

3. Debt Inclusion

Early on, a startup or small business will often operate at a loss. Corporation shareholders may not deduct losses beyond their basis in their stock or debt obligations. In contrast, LLC owners can include their proportionate share of the debt from the LLC, so they can deduct a larger share of the losses.

4. Management

An LLC’s members or managers can manage the company. In contrast, a board of directors and its chief executive officer are in charge of managing corporations.

5. Distributions

A corporation must allocate its distributions in proportion to each shareholder’s ownership share. An LLC, on the other hand, does not necessarily have to allocate its profits or losses in proportion to each owner’s membership interest. Instead, the LLC’s operating agreement (which is subject to certain IRS restrictions against negative capital accounts) can determine the distributive share of gains, losses, deductions or credits. Additionally, members of an LLC can transfer and withdraw property into the LLC without the recognition of taxable gain by the LLC or the member with whom the property has been distributed. In the case of corporations, property distributions can result in taxable gain.

6. Investment

Entrepreneurs hoping to achieve venture seed funding typically choose the Delaware C Corporation. Venture capital firms won’t automatically screen out businesses that are not incorporated in Delaware, but they prefer it due to their friendly corporate governance benefits and predictable corporate laws.

Selecting an entity that is appropriate for your business will depend on how you plan to run the business and where you hope to take it. One size does not fit all. Crafting a strategic entity can mean a world of difference as your business begins to take off.

By Alex King & Doug Bend

Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.  Bend Law Group, PC expressly disclaims all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this article.

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Why We Love Helping Small Business Owners and Startups

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Rose Rose Productions did an amazing job of producing this video on why we love helping small business owners and startups. We are very fortunate to spend our days helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

Rose Rose Productions did an amazing job of producing this video on why we love helping small business owners and startups.

We are very fortunate to spend our days helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

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Should Your California Professional Corporation Elect To Be Taxed As An S Corporation?

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Should your company elect to be taxed as an S corporation? In California, certain professions that require a state license are prohibited from forming a limited liability company or a traditional corporation and instead must incorporate as a professional corporation. By default, California professional corporations are taxed as C corporations. As a C corporation, your… Read More

Should your company elect to be taxed as an S corporation? In California, certain professions that require a state license are prohibited from forming a limited liability company or a traditional corporation and instead must incorporate as a professional corporation. By default, California professional corporations are taxed as C corporations. As a C corporation, your professional corporation would pay federal taxes on its profits, and you would also pay individual taxes if you receive salary, bonuses, or dividends from the corporation.

  1.  Tax Advantages of the S Corporation

By electing to be taxed as an S corporation, your professional corporation would instead be a pass-through tax entity, like an LLC or a partnership.  Electing to be taxed as an S corporation may also allow you to pass losses from the business to your personal income tax return, where you can use the losses to offset income that you may have from other sources.

Finally, if the corporation pays you a “reasonable salary,” you may not be required to pay self-employment taxes on any shareholder dividends you receive in addition to your reasonable salary.

  1.  Disadvantages To Being Taxed as an S Corporation

A drawback of electing to have your professional corporation taxed as an S corporation rather than a C corporation is the cost of the premiums for shareholder benefits. In a C corporation, costs like insurance coverage are deductible as a business expense. Additionally, the shareholders may not be taxed on the value of the benefits.

Another drawback is the restrictions on who can be a shareholder of an S corporation. For example, S corporations may not have shareholders who are non-resident aliens.

Finally, S corporations may only issue one class of stock whereas C corporations can have different classes of stock that have different rights and liquidation priorities.

  1.  Conclusion

You should consult with your CPA or tax professional to make sure being taxed as an S corporation is the best fit for your professional corporation. However, for most California professional corporations, an S corporation election is likely to provide the most tax savings.

Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.  Bend Law Group, PC expressly disclaims all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this article.

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What Is A California Professional Corporation?

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In California, certain professions are prohibited from forming a limited liability company or a traditional corporation and must instead incorporate as a professional corporation. Professions that are required to be professional corporations include many of those that require a state license, such as dentists, certified public accountants, doctors, veterinarians, lawyers, optometrists, marriage and family therapists,… Read More

In California, certain professions are prohibited from forming a limited liability company or a traditional corporation and must instead incorporate as a professional corporation.

Professions that are required to be professional corporations include many of those that require a state license, such as dentists, certified public accountants, doctors, veterinarians, lawyers, optometrists, marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists.

What Is Different About Professional Corporations?

Professional corporations have more restrictions than traditional corporations.

For example, with a few limited exceptions, officers, directors, and shareholders of a professional corporation must be licensed to conduct the professional activity.

In addition, professional corporations are subject to the regulations of the applicable governmental agency overseeing the profession in which the professional corporation is engaged. For example, some agencies have restrictions on what you can name a professional corporation and require specific language to be included in the professional corporation’s bylaws regarding who can own shares or be officers of the professional corporation.

Who Can Be A Shareholder Of A Professional Corporation?

Professional corporations are also subject to specific rules in the California Business and Professions Code. For example, only licensed persons can be shareholders of a  professional corporation.

Why Form A Professional Corporation?

While professional corporations do not provide liability protection for malpractice, you could have limited liability protection for claims not based on malpractice, such as a slip and fall accidents.

In addition, forming a professional corporation may allow you to deduct payments for benefit plans, such as disability or health plans and group term insurance.

Finally, you should speak with your CPA or other tax professional about whether forming a professional corporation and electing to have it taxed as an S corporation may provide tax savings.

Please contact us at (415) 633-6841 or info@bendlawoffice.com to discuss whether your company is required to be a professional corporation and, if so, the steps necessary to set it up right.

Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.  Bend Law Group, PC expressly disclaims all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this article.

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How Many Shares Should You Authorize For Your Delaware Corporation?

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When forming a corporation in Delaware you will need to indicate on the certificate of incorporation the total amount of stock the corporation is authorized to issue.  How do you decide how many shares you should authorize? There are two schools of thought on this decision: Only Authorize 5,000 Shares. By March 1st of each… Read More

When forming a corporation in Delaware you will need to indicate on the certificate of incorporation the total amount of stock the corporation is authorized to issue.  How do you decide how many shares you should authorize? There are two schools of thought on this decision:

Only Authorize 5,000 Shares.

By March 1st of each year you will have to file an annual report and pay a franchise tax in Delaware.  The tax is calculated based on the authorized shares for the company by using either the Authorized Shares Method or the Assumed Par Value Capital Method.

The Authorized Shares Method is based on the number of authorized shares and is calculated as follows:

  1.   If the company is authorized to issue 5,000 shares or less the annual franchise tax is $175;
  2.   If the company is authorized to issue 5,001 to 10,000 shares the annual franchise tax is $250; and
  3.  For each additional 10,000 authorized shares the annual franchise tax is increased by an additional $85.  The maximum annual tax under the Authorized Shares Method is $200,000.

You may, therefore, decide to authorize the company to only issue 5,000 shares so you pay the minimum amount of Delaware franchise tax each year ($175).

Authorize Millions of Shares.

The second school of thought is to authorize millions of shares, typically 10,000,000 shares.

The rationale is that individuals who receive 1,000,000 shares feel like they are receiving something of greater value. They may be more motivated than individuals who receive 500 shares, even if the shares represent the same percentage of ownership in the company.

In addition, having more shares provides more flexibility in allocating shares on vesting schedules.

The drawback is that in Delaware having more than 5,000 authorized shares results in a higher annual franchise tax.

If you authorize millions of shares, you will most likely calculate the Delaware annual franchise tax using the Assumed Par Value Capital Method.  The calculations under this method can be complicated, but the Delaware Secretary of State’s Office provides a good explanation and examples of how to determine the tax here.

Please contact us at (415) 633-6841 or info@bendlawoffice.com to discuss how many shares you should authorize for your Delaware corporation.

Disclaimer: This article discusses general legal issues and developments. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current law in your jurisdiction. These informational materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. No reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.  Bend Law Group, PC expressly disclaims all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this article.

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