A C-Corporation (or C-Corp) is a legal structure for a corporation in which the owners, or shareholders, are taxed separately from the entity. C corporations, the most prevalent of corporations, are also subject to corporate income taxation. The taxing of profits from the business is at both corporate and personal levels, creating a double taxation situation. As one of the most common types of corporations, a C corporation can have an unlimited number of shareholders and is taxed on its income as a separate entity. C-corp shareholders are also taxed on the dividends they receive from the company, and they receive personal liability protection from business debts and litigation. Ownership for this type of corporation is divided based on stocks, which can be easily bought or sold.
Several reports and documents must be filed with state and federal agencies. Large stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange and other American stock exchanges, as well as regional exchanges, exist to facilitate the exchange of stock between individuals. This means that a corporation can sue or be sued and does not go out of existence with the death of an owner. Corporations have an advantage when it comes to raising capital because they can raise funds through the sale of stock, which can also be a benefit in attracting employees.
Pros of an S Corp
As a B-corp, you will still maintain your C-corp or S-corp tax status. Filing your articles of incorporation with your secretary of state can be quick, but the overall process of incorporating is often a long one. You will likely have to go through extensive paperwork to properly determine and document the details of the organization and its ownership. Small business owners have a variety of options when establishing a legal structure. Although there are several reasons why incorporating can be advantageous to your business, there are a few disadvantages to be aware of as well. If you are passionate about owning and operating your business, forming a corporation is usually a poor choice.
We follow strict ethical journalism practices, which includes presenting unbiased information and citing reliable, attributed resources. This team of experts helps Finance Strategists maintain the highest level of accuracy and professionalism possible. The organization chart shown earlier in this article indicates some of the typical officers found in general management. The board is also charged with protecting the interests of stockholders and creditors.
Board of Directors and Senior Management
It can also be hard to raise money because you can’t sell stock, and banks are hesitant to lend to sole proprietorships. You must follow your state’s legal requirements to become a corporation. For many businesses, these requirements include creating corporate bylaws and filing articles of incorporation with the secretary of state. Weighing corporation pros https://www.bookstime.com/ and cons is important when you start a business; deciding whether to incorporate is a big choice. Creating a corporation might prevent you from personal liability, while not incorporating might protect you from double taxation. Because of the impact on your business and personal life, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of forming a corporation.
To build their product, they contract with a supplier for $10,000 a month for 12 months. The first half of the year goes great, but six months one of the disadvantages of forming a corporation is that in, their only customer goes bankrupt. Despite still being contractually obligated, the supplier cannot touch their personal assets.
What Is a Corporation?
LLCs are common because they provide the liability that’s similar to a corporation, but they are easier to establish and with fewer regulatory requirements than other types of corporations. LLCs allow for personal liability protection, which means creditors cannot go after the owner’s personal assets. An LLC also allows pass-through taxation, meaning business income or losses are recorded and taxed on the owner’s personal tax return. An LLC with multiple owners would be taxed as a partnership, meaning each owner would report profit and losses on their personal tax return. A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure that protects its owners from personal liability in case of a lawsuit, claim, or company debt.
- A corporation can enter into contracts, own property, sue, and be sued.
- Ownership for this type of corporation is divided based on stocks, which can be easily bought or sold.
- A corporation is a distinct legal entity that is governed by a board of directors.
- It lets business owners avoid double taxation, similar to a limited liability company (LLC), but they’re still able to write off certain business losses on their personal tax returns.
- As stated earlier, there can be filing fees for an EIN number and also annual fees for filing the annual report.
- Starting a business is a big commitment of time, resources, and money.
C corps are taxed at the corporate level, and their shareholders are also taxed on any dividends distributed or “flows through” from the company. Below you’ll find all the advantages and disadvantages of a corporation. Not all of them will apply to every single business out there, so take your situation into account when considering what type of business entity is right for you. A private corporation has a centralized group of investors that have limited options for transferring or selling their shares. Because it is privately-held, a shareholder cannot sell their shares in an open marketplace to the general public.