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Limited Liability Company
(LLC)
Corporation
(S corp or C corp)
Nonprofit
(501c3)
Doing Business As
(DBA)
Start a business that lasts.
Claim your free consultation - our in-house lawyers will tell you exactly which entity to form.
The entity you form shapes everything from how much tax you pay to how your personal assets are protected. Getting it right matters. Our in-house attorneys have been navigating these decisions for over 25 years, helping thousands of founders choose the structure that maximises their legal and financial advantage from day one.
All business types at a glance
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
How it’s unique
- Best for max flexibility in how you manage and run your business; board of directors not required
- Unlimited owners (aka "members") allowed
Protections & taxation
- You're not personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Taxed once or twice; you're free to choose which can help minimize taxes
Drawbacks to consider
- Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
- LLCs can't go public
- Not recognized globally; you may be taxed as a corporation in other countries
Ready to get your LLC?
Corporation (S corp or C corp)
How it’s unique
- Best if you plan to go public one day; can issue shares to founders, employees, and investors (C corp)
- Unlimited owners (aka "shareholders") allowed (C corp)
- Avoids double taxation on profits (S corp)
- Recognized internationally and preferred by investors
Protections & taxation
- You're not personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Taxed twice if it's a C corporation—business pays at the corporate level, and shareholders pay on income received
- Avoids double taxation if it's an S corporation
Drawbacks to consider
- Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
- LLCs can't go public
- Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
- More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
Ready to get your Corporation?
Nonprofit
How it’s unique
- Best if you’re organizing for a good cause rather than for profit
- Unlimited owners (aka "shareholders") allowed
- Eligible for tax exemption with 501(c)(3) status
Protections & taxation
- You're not personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Tax exempt from federal income taxes with 501(c)(3) status
Drawbacks to consider
- Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
- Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
- More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
Ready to get your Nonprofit?
Doing Business As (DBA)
How it’s unique
- Best if you want an official business name, but want to avoid the upkeep needed for LLCs or corporations.
- Not an actual legal entity type
Protections & taxation
- You're personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Taxed just once if your business is classified as a sole proprietorship or partnership—you pay on profits in your personal tax return
Drawbacks to consider
- No personal liability protection
Ready to get your DBA?
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Going solo or teaming up? Make sure you’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities with an LLC.
How it’s unique
- Best for max flexibility in how you manage and run your business; board of directors not required
- Unlimited owners (aka "members") allowed
Protections & taxation
- You're not personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Taxed once or twice; you're free to choose which can help minimize taxes
Drawbacks to consider
- Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
- LLCs can't go public
- Not recognized globally; you may be taxed as a corporation in other countries
Ready to get your LLC?
Corporation (S corp or C corp)
Plan to issue shares, go public, or go global? Go further as a corporation.
How it’s unique
- Best if you plan to go public one day; can issue shares to founders, employees, and investors (C corp)
- Unlimited owners (aka "shareholders") allowed (C corp)
- Avoids double taxation on profits (S corp)
- Recognized internationally and preferred by investors
Protections & taxation
- You're not personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Taxed twice if it's a C corporation—business pays at the corporate level, and shareholders pay on income received
- Avoids double taxation if it's an S corporation
Drawbacks to consider
- Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
- LLCs can't go public
- Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
- More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
Ready to get your Corporation?
Nonprofit
Create an organization to give back and be eligible for tax breaks.
How it’s unique
- Best if you’re organizing for a good cause rather than for profit
- Unlimited owners (aka "shareholders") allowed
- Eligible for tax exemption with 501(c)(3) status
Protections & taxation
- You're not personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Tax exempt from federal income taxes with 501(c)(3) status
Drawbacks to consider
- Ongoing filings and fees to stay in compliance
- Less management flexibility; must have a board of directors
- More admin; strict rules about holding meetings and keeping records
Ready to get your Nonprofit?
Doing Business As (DBA)
Get a business name for your sole prop without forming a legal entity, or add a new name to an existing entity.
How it’s unique
- Best if you want an official business name, but want to avoid the upkeep needed for LLCs or corporations.
- Not an actual legal entity type
Protections & taxation
- You're personally on the hook for business liabilities
- Taxed just once if your business is classified as a sole proprietorship or partnership—you pay on profits in your personal tax return
Drawbacks to consider
- No personal liability protection
Ready to get your DBA?
100% Accurate Filing Guarantee
We’re committed to the highest quality and accuracy. If your filing is rejected or incorrect due to our error, we’ll correct it with the government agency at no additional cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an LLC and a corporation?
Both protect owners so they’re not personally on the hook for business liabilities or debts. But, key differences include how they’re owned (LLCs have one or more individual owners and corporations have shareholders) and maintained (corporations generally have more formal record-keeping and reporting requirements). Even though LLCs are considered easier to start and maintain, investors tend to prefer corporations.
What's the difference between a C corporation and an S corporation?
The way you’re taxed. C corporation income is taxed twice—the business pays taxes on its net income, and then the shareholders also pay taxes on the profits they receive. With S corporation income, only the shareholders pay taxes on profits received. The Secretary of State requires articles of incorporation to form a corporation.
What's the main difference between a sole proprietorship and an LLC?
Personal liability protection. An LLC protects owners from being personally on the hook for business liabilities or debts. A sole proprietorship doesn’t.
How are different business types taxed?
LLCs, S corporations, and sole proprietorships are taxed once on profits received. C corporations are taxed twice; the business pays taxes at the corporate level, and shareholders pay taxes on income received.
Which business types give me personal liability protection?
LLCs and corporations. You don’t get personal liability protection with sole proprietorships or DBAs.
Your business deserves the right foundation
Start Your Business the Right Way
Before the books, before the taxes — it all begins with the right foundation. We help you form your business and get your EIN so you’re set up, compliant, and ready to go from day one.
Company Formation
Start your business the right way. Whether you’re launching an LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, or registering a DBA, we handle the paperwork so you can focus on what matters — building your business
EIN Registration
Every business needs an EIN. We make the process quick and hassle-free, so you’re set up and ready to hire, open a bank account, and stay compliant from day one.
Get started with compliance basics
Your CFO will start by creating a financial model to deeply understand your business & create the foundation for your ongoing Monthly Engagement.
Bookkeeping
Get clarity on the health of your business—and presentable books you can confidently share with investors, lenders, or landlords.
Taxes
Enjoy the convenience of having your taxes seamlessly handled alongside your books. Our tax and accounting experts work together to keep you compliant.
Move from books to needle-moving insights
CFO Services
Get strategic insights, realistic budgets, fundraising expertise, and decision-making confidence with our team of industry-specialized CFOs.
Monthly Insights
Take a look at powerful reports that surface insights and detailed trending to help you make smarter decisions. Included with your monthly bookkeeping:
- Real time balances
- Recurring expenses
- Flux insights
- New vendors
Start Your Business the Right Way
Before the books, before the taxes — it all begins with the right foundation. We help you form your business and get your EIN so you’re set up, compliant, and ready to go from day one.
Company Formation
Start your business the right way. Whether you’re launching an LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, or registering a DBA, we handle the paperwork so you can focus on what matters — building your business
EIN Registration
Every business needs an EIN. We make the process quick and hassle-free, so you’re set up and ready to hire, open a bank account, and stay compliant from day one.
Get started with compliance basics
Your CFO will start by creating a financial model to deeply understand your business & create the foundation for your ongoing Monthly Engagement.
Bookkeeping
Get clarity on the health of your business—and presentable books you can confidently share with investors, lenders, or landlords.
Taxes
Enjoy the convenience of having your taxes seamlessly handled alongside your books. Our tax and accounting experts work together to keep you compliant.
Move from books to needle-moving insights
CFO Services
Get strategic insights, realistic budgets, fundraising expertise, and decision-making confidence with our team of industry-specialized CFOs.
Monthly Insights
Take a look at powerful reports that surface insights and detailed trending to help you make smarter decisions. Included with your monthly bookkeeping:
- Real time balances
- Recurring expenses
- Flux insights
- New vendors
Stop digging through spreadsheets for answers you need right now.
