Business & Entity Setup
Build Your Business on the Right Foundation.
Choosing the right structure from the start affects how you're taxed, how you're protected, and how your business grows. We help you understand your options and put the right pieces in place.
Understanding Your Options
There's no single right answer — the best structure depends on your income, liability exposure, growth plans, and how you want to be taxed. Here's a plain-language overview of the most common paths.
Sole Proprietorship
The default for most self-employed individuals. Simple to start, but offers no liability protection and all income flows directly to your personal return.
Single-Member LLC
Adds a legal separation between you and your business. Doesn't change how you're taxed by default, but provides liability protection and a more professional structure.
Multi-Member LLC
Two or more owners sharing a business. Requires an operating agreement and a partnership return. Flexible, but coordination matters from day one.
S-Corporation Election
An LLC or corporation that elects S-corp tax treatment. Can reduce self-employment taxes once income reaches a certain threshold — but comes with payroll requirements and added complexity.
C-Corporation
A separate taxable entity. Less common for small businesses due to double taxation, but may be appropriate for certain growth or investment scenarios.
What We Help You Work Through
Structure Evaluation
We review your income, goals, and situation to help you understand which structure makes the most sense — and what changes as you grow.
Financial Separation
Mixing personal and business finances creates problems at tax time and in the event of an audit. We help you establish clean separation from the start.
Understanding Your Filing Obligations
Different structures come with different filing requirements — federal, state, and local. We make sure you know what's expected before you're surprised by it.
Ongoing Tax Coordination
Your entity structure affects your personal return. We coordinate both so nothing falls through the cracks at year-end.
Key Questions to Think Through
How much are you earning from the business?
Structure decisions often hinge on income level — especially when evaluating an S-corp election.
Do you have partners or co-owners?
Multiple owners require more formal agreements and a different filing structure.
What's your liability exposure?
Some industries carry more risk than others. Separation between personal and business assets matters more in those cases.
Are you planning to grow or bring on employees?
Your structure today should support where you want to be in two to three years, not just where you are now.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Entity formation involves legal and regulatory requirements that vary by state. We recommend consulting a licensed attorney for formation documents and legal guidance. We can assist with the tax and financial planning aspects of your structure decision.
Not Sure Which Structure Is Right for You?
Schedule a consultation and we'll walk through your situation, explain the tradeoffs, and help you make a confident decision.