Before starting a business in California, you should consider the multitude of legal issues that surround such a task, including choosing the right business structure (sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company, or partnership), selecting the right company and/or product name, and how the business (including legal and accounting fees) will be financed, what potential liabilities you face with your proposed business, and what licenses and permits you will need.
Choosing the Right Business Entity For a California Business Start-Up.
Once you have determined that you are prepared to start your own business, you should begin the process of making your business legal. The first step should be to decide which legal structure is right for you. There are four main types: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and limited liability company. Which one is right for you? A sole proprietorship may be sufficient if: (1) you have no assets; (2) your proposed business is unlikely to be a source of liability; and (3) you don’t anticipate earning more than $50,000 a year. If you do have assets that you want to protect, or if you believe your new business will generate at least $50,000 in income, then you should consider either a corporation or a limited liability company. See, S-Corporation or LLC and then discuss your impressions with a local attorney, hopefully Melissa C. Marsh. Seeing an attorney for just an hour to learn more valuable information could save you thousands down the road.
Sole Proprietor.
If you are not ready to form a corporation, or a limited liability company, you can simply remain a sole proprietor. To start a business as a sole proprietor, all you need to do is get: (1) a taxpayer identification number ( EIN ), (2) a fictitious business name, (3) a local city business license, (4) a seller’s permit if you will be selling taxable goods, and (5) other city or state permits required for your particular business. Prior to selecting a fictitious business name, it is important to make sure the name is available.
Partners.
If you are planning to go into business with one or more other individuals, get a commitment — an agreement that sets forth your planned relationship, expectations, and financial commitment. If you are forming a corporation, make sure there is a shareholder buy-sell agreement in place. If you are forming a limited liability company, make sure the Operating Agreement contains buy-sell provisions. If you plan to operate as a general partnership, ask yourselves if the additional co-owners are merely going to contribute products and/or services as opposed to money. If so, consider forming a single owner business (sole proprietorship, corporation, or single member LLC) with contractual agreements with those who are to provide products and/or services. If a party later fails to perform, then you can typically find a replacement. If you are going to operate as a partnership, then make sure you execute a written partnership agreement that contains provisions addressing how each partner can leave the business.
It is always best to start a business on your own, rather than with partners. If co-ownership is essential, then make sure you have a well written partnership agreement that: (1) calls for the formation of a corporation or limited liability company if a certain goal is met, and (2) contains buy-sell provisions that provide for the buyout of any co-owner at a set price in the event the co-owner fails to perform, becomes disabled, dies, files for bankruptcy, or becomes involved in a divorce. Most owners of a business never intend, or expect, to become partners with their co-owner’s spouse, but that is exactly what can happen if you don’t have a well prepared buy-sell agreement executed by all of the co-owners.
Corporation. To determine if a corporation will best suit your needs, I will cover in the next blog post.
