Have you found yourself with an entrepreneurial itch that you can no longer ignore? If so, you are not alone–many professionals find the prospect of being their own boss especially alluring. If you are harboring the next great idea in the business world, launching your own endeavor can be something of a no-brainer. Of course, an idea alone is not going to rocket you to the top of the Fortune 500 list. Any successful business owner will tell you that it takes a lot of hard work and luck to get off the ground. Fortunately, by making a couple of key preparatory decisions, you can better position yourself and your organization for long-term success. For instance, hiring a solid team to work with can allow you to lean on the strengths of others while giving yourself more time to focus on big-picture goals. You may also find that giving your business a legal structure early on can give you peace of mind with regard to tax and legal liabilities. Many entrepreneurs find that the limited liability company (LLC) structure makes a lot of sense, and if you are thinking about forming an LLC in California, we can help.
If you are thinking about setting up a shop in the Golden State, you are obviously in elite company. California was it to stand on its own as a country, would be one of the largest economies in the world. If you think about it, this distinction makes a lot of sense–between the booming tech sector in Silicon Valley and the bright lights of the Hollywood entertainment industry, California has a diverse and robust economy. For business owners from all over, the financial opportunities and tremendous weather give the idea of forming an LLC in California a rather strong appeal. Should you find yourself making such a consideration, at Corporation Center, we have the online forms that you need to get your business up and running. Read on to learn more about how we can help you.
The Benefits of Forming an LLC in California
There are a wide variety of ways in which you can legally structure a business. For some smaller, home office types of operations, the simplicity of a sole proprietorship is a logical fit. For others, such as licensed professionals, there may be a necessity to form a limited liability partnership (LLP). Other businesses may have more advanced needs with regard to outside investment, and in such cases, filing articles of incorporation can make a lot of sense. For many, though, the ease of setup and valuable incentives that come with an LLC is a good fit for their business.
When you create an LLC, you designate your company as its own legal entity. An LLC can own property, hire and terminate employees, pay taxes, and borrow money. With an LLC, members can also enjoy limited liability protection. This means that when a business files for bankruptcy or faces costly legal actions, members are able to shield their personal assets. To put it another way, if your business is sued, you do not need to worry about losing your home as a result.
In an LLC, you can also benefit from receiving “pass-through” status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This means that gains and losses incurred by your business can be passed through to the members of your LLC. When properly maneuvered, this tax status can offer a major advantage to your bottom line.
How to Create Your LLC in California
If you have done the necessary research and have decided that an LLC is right for your business, you will need to do a bit of paperwork. First, though, you will need to decide on a name for your business that is unique from any other registered LLCs on record with the California Secretary of State’s office. You can check to see what is available by submitting a formal request to their office in Sacramento, or by checking online. Next, you will need to appoint a registered agent. This individual will receive all government, legal, and tax correspondence on behalf of your enterprise.
With those formalities in place, you can move ahead with drafting your Form LLC-1, also called “Articles of Organization.” This document should include the name and address of your business, as well as some basic details about its members and registered agent. You can complete your Form LLC-1 online by using our streamlined web forms and SSL-encrypted web portal.
Work with Us Today!
If you are looking to start your own business, why wait? Work with us at Corporation Center to draft your articles of organization online with just a few clicks. To learn more about how we can help you, take a minute to browse our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact one of our customer service representatives by email.
