The business structure chosen by a corporation influences everything from day-to-day operations to how taxes are paid to even risks for your personal assets. Therefore, it’s extremely important to choose a business structure that offers the right balance of benefits and legal protections. With an experienced team of attorneys, tax advisors, and business consultants at your disposal through Miser Wealth Partners, you can effectively weed out any uncertainties and choose the structure that provides the most benefit. We’ve helped a variety of businesses establish the structure that aligns with their business goals, and we can help you too.
What are some common business structures to consider?
It’s not as cut-and-dried as you may think. There are several choices in which to consider structuring your business, including but not limited to:
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited liability company (LLC)
- Corporation (C corp)
- S corporation (S corp)
- B corporation (B corp)
- Close corporation
- Nonprofit corporation
- Cooperative
The ownership rules, liability, taxes, and filing requirements for each business structure can vary by state. Miser Wealth Partners can guide you through all the requirements to help you choose the best option for you.
What should I consider when setting up an entity structure?
Through our years of experience, what we’ve found is that many corporations tend to overlook certain important considerations when setting up companies or converting to new entity ownership structures. Here are some key aspects that are imperative to consider:
- Business objectives and long-term goals: Corporations sometimes focus solely on immediate needs when setting up their companies or converting to new ownership structures, overlooking the importance of aligning their decisions with their long-term business objectives. It is crucial to consider factors such as scalability, expansion plans, exit strategies, and succession planning when establishing or restructuring a corporation.
- Tax implications and efficiency: Corporations may overlook the tax implications and potential tax efficiency of different entity structures or ownership conversions. Each entity type has its own tax treatment, and selecting the most appropriate structure can have significant tax consequences. It’s important to consult with tax professionals who can analyze the potential tax advantages or disadvantages associated with various entity types or conversions.
- Legal and regulatory compliance: Always consider the legal and regulatory requirements associated with the chosen entity type or conversion. This includes ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, adhering to industry-specific regulations, and fulfilling ongoing reporting and compliance obligations. Failing to comply with these requirements can lead to legal issues and potential penalties.
- Shareholder agreements and governance structures: Don’t overlook the importance of establishing clear shareholder agreements and governance structures from the outset. These documents outline the rights, responsibilities, decision-making processes, and ownership arrangements among shareholders. Developing comprehensive and well-defined agreements and structures can help prevent disputes and facilitate smooth operations as the corporation grows.
- Intellectual property protection: You’ll need to protect their intellectual property (IP) assets. This includes trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and other proprietary information. Implementing proper IP protection strategies from the beginning is vital to safeguarding the corporation’s valuable assets and avoiding infringement issues.
- Employee benefits and retention: Corporations may not fully consider the impact of entity structure or ownership conversions on employee benefits and retention. Changes in ownership structure can affect employee benefits programs, retirement plans, stock options, and other incentives. It’s important to evaluate the potential implications on employees and develop strategies to ensure a smooth transition and maintain employee satisfaction and loyalty.
- Succession planning: Succession planning is very important for a business structure, especially in the early stages of establishment or conversion. Planning for leadership transitions, identifying potential successors, and implementing a comprehensive succession plan can ensure continuity and stability in the long run.
Why choose Miser Wealth Partners for your entity structure evaluation?
Corporations should engage experienced professionals who specialize in entity formation, restructuring, and legal compliance. Miser Wealth Partners are experts in providing guidance and ensuring that all critical aspects are thoroughly considered during the set-up or conversion process. Additionally, the ongoing communication and collaboration we facilitate among stakeholders, management, and professional advisors can address any potential oversights and navigate the complexities of corporate establishment.
Where can I get help establishing the right entity structure for my business?
If you’re having trouble deciding which entity structure to choose for your business, perhaps it’s time to seek help from an experienced professional. Miser Wealth Partners will conduct a thorough entity structure evaluation and guide you through selecting the best structure for you. Give us a call at (865) 281-1616 or click here to schedule a time to talk with us.
