Ongoing Management and Protection

A company might request to use an assumed business name instead of its legal name for conducting business. This is more commonly known as a DBA (Doing Business As). In this article, I’ll explain why business owners might want to use an assumed business name, how to...

Partnerships (and LLCs taxed as Partnerships) must get acquainted with this IRS Form 1065 for U.S. Return of Partnership Income. Form 1065 is an information return that Partnerships use to report their income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits. While...

One of the reasons why entrepreneurs find the Limited Liability Company business structure attractive is that it gives them flexibility in dividing ownership among the LLC’s members. How you determine LLC ownership percentages can be based not only on members’...

As a CPA, you probably sometimes find that clients inquire about more than just their business’s taxes and finances. With the strong connection between their money and all aspects of their companies, they may toss you questions about a variety of business...

Every business that sells products and services beyond its home state or has a location in another state should understand the meaning of nexus. As a business owner, it is important that you know what nexus is, why it is important, and if you have nexus in other...

There are many reasons companies choose to incorporate as C Corporations. Being a C Corporation is preferred if you plan to seek investors or take the company public. Also, because the C Corporation is a legal, taxable entity separate from its owners, shareholders’...

Sometimes business owners want to market their services or products under a name other than their legal business name. For instance, a Sole Proprietorship, who must have both the owner’s first and last name in the business name, will want to use a fictitious name...

If you’ve decided to structure your business as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and plan to register your company in California, it’s crucial to know how to keep your company in good standing by following the state’s compliance regulations. One regulation...

Ready to hire? Becoming an employer is a big responsibility. One of your primary tasks is to pay and withhold the correct employment taxes, and you’re accountable for explaining that process to your employees. Here’s what you need to know about breaking down...

The decision to change an LLC name is one not to consider lightly. After all, your business name is one of your most important brand assets. But sometimes, a name change is in order for one of many reasons. Perhaps there was a mistake in your formation paperwork,...

Does your business need to collect sales tax and remit it to the state or local tax authority? And if it does, how do you go about getting a sales tax license? Moreover, what if your business is selling your products across state lines? Do you need to charge and...

Before the advent of the S Corporation in 1958, entrepreneurs had two options for forming a business entity. They could form a partnership or form a C Corporation. But neither of those business structures fulfilled the needs of many people seeking to start their...

If you’re an accountant, attorney, or in the business of otherwise professionally advising entrepreneurs, you may have had clients inquire about what they need to do to expand their companies into other states. One of the most important steps involved in the...

Business compliance is a phrase that makes many an entrepreneur cringe. But despite the lack of affection for those two words, business owners must take them seriously. The possible consequences for noncompliance range from mild inconvenience to devastating...

Many small business owners choose to operate their companies under the LLC business structure. They do so with good reason! The LLC offers liability protection to its owners (members), tax flexibility, and compliance simplicity. However, that tax flexibility may...

In this article, I’ll discuss the potential consequences for professional tax services providers and their clients (taxpayers) when tasks get forgotten and tax deadlines have been missed. I’ll also touch on options for resolving late filing and payment issues with government agencies.

There are a whole host of reasons to incorporate as a C Corporation. For example, the C Corporation is the preferred structure if you intend on seeking VC funding or taking the company public. But forming a C Corporation involves more paperwork, legal fine print,...

If your business plans to sell products or services, most states will require you to obtain a seller’s permit. This seller's permit can also be called a sales tax license or sales and use tax permit. The process and fees for obtaining a seller’s permit vary by...

Per the recently passed Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), owners of smaller Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and corporations will soon have another compliance requirement to adhere to starting on January 1, 2024. LLCs and corporations with fewer than 20...

What Is a fictitious name? A fictitious name is a name other than your proper legal business entity name that you formally get permission from the state (or county) to use when conducting business. You may also see a fictitious business name referred to as: Doing...

Professionals like you, who help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing their businesses, will likely encounter clients asking about a "Letter of Good Standing." Let's take a moment to talk about what a Letter of Good Standing is and why...

Many entrepreneurs have a difficult time managing their finances. Starting your business off right is important, and keeping your finances in check from the beginning will help create a foundation for long-term success. Part of this strategy is creating and...

If you are considering electing S Corporation status you might wonder how this will impact your existing LLC or C Corporation. One question that comes to mind quickly is the continued ability to use LLC or Inc with a business name. S Corporation election is a tax...

Despite your best efforts to choose the perfect name for your company, there may come a time when that name no longer is the best fit. Perhaps the business name no longer accurately reflects your brand or there are legal considerations at play. Regardless of the...

A corporation has three main categories of stakeholders involved in the financial and management aspects of the company. While all play a crucial role, officers work more closely with a corporation’s managers and supervisors, arguably having a more direct impact on...

The S Corporation election deadline for LLCs and C Corporations is March 15, 2023. So, if you’re considering changing your limited liability company or C Corporation tax treatment from its default status to an S Corp, time is of the essence! About the 2023 S Corp...

No matter which state your Limited Liability Company (LLC) is located in, you will need to file documentation with the Secretary of State to establish your company and keep it legally compliant. A Statement of Information is one of the standard reporting...

When entrepreneurs want to expand their businesses, they face the important decision of how to structure that growth. One approach is to form a separate company under another registered business entity. Some restrictions exist and small business owners may be...

Creating a budget as a freelancer shouldn’t be any harder than it is for any other small business. And yet, the rollercoaster ride of finding and keeping clients, collecting invoices, marketing your business, and juggling all of this yourself can create major...