what is a legal structure in a business plan

• Business Planning

How to Determine the Legal Structure of a Business

Written by Vinay Kevadiya

Published Sep. 27 2024 · 8 Min Read

The foundation of a successful business is a solid legal structure.

Choosing the right legal framework protects your personal assets and significantly impacts your operations, taxes, and liability.

So, if you're an entrepreneur looking to restructure your existing business, it’s best to consider the legal structure of your business plan from the start.

Need more clarification about business plan legal structures and how to choose the right one for your business? We have you covered!

In this blog, you'll explore the types of business structures and learn how to select the best legal structure of a business .

But first, let's understand the legal structure of a business plan.

What is a legal structure in a business plan?

The legal structure in a business plan explains how your business is recognized and organized in the eyes of the law. It also shows the type of ownership your business has, whether it’s a partnership firm, sole proprietary, or LLP.

The structure determines key aspects of your business, which include:

• Liability for debts
• Legal responsibilities
• Distribution of profit and loss

The main purpose of legal structure in a business plan is to provide clarity and direction for your business's operations and governance. Choosing the right legal structure is crucial, as it directly impacts your business's future.

Fun Fact: The sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure and that outnumbers all other types combined. It’s like the hardworking bee of the business world—often unnoticed but highly effective.

5 common types of legal structures for businesses

Understanding legal structures is crucial as each structure affects how you operate and grow your business.

Hence, here’s the list of common types of legal structures for businesses for your reference:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is business owned and operated by one individual. The owner has complete control and is personally responsible for all business debts and obligations. There’s no legal distinction between the owner and the business.

A sole proprietorship is the most straightforward and most affordable structure to set up, requiring minimal paperwork.

2) Partnership

A partnership involves two or more individuals who manage and operate a business together, as well as share profits and liabilities.

There are two main types of partnerships:

General partnership: It’s where all business partners manage the business and share liabilities.

Limited partnership: A partnership where some partners invest without taking an active role in management.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC is a hybrid business structure that combines elements of partnerships and corporations. It provides the liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits of a sole proprietorship or partnership.

A limited liability company allows unlimited members, making it suitable for small and large businesses. Notably, the owners aren’t personally liable for business debts beyond their investment in the company.

4) Corporation

A corporation is a legal structure that treats a business as separate from its owners, known as shareholders. This means the corporation can own property, enter contracts, and be responsible for its debts rather than the individual owners.

There are two common types of corporation:

C corporation: This is a standard type of corporation. It doesn’t have a limit on the number of shareholders. However, it faces double taxation, with profits and dividends taxed at the corporate level.

S corporation: This corporation is limited to 100 shareholders. It offers the same legal protection as a C Corporation but has the tax benefits of a partnership.

5) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is a business structure that combines the features of both partnerships and corporations.

It provides limited liability protection to its partners while allowing them to manage the business directly. This means the partners are only responsible for the business's debts up to the amount they invested, and their personal finances remain protected.

Due to their flexibility and liability protection, LLPs are particularly popular among professional service firms, such as law and accounting firms.

How to choose the right legal structure for your business?

Choosing the right business structure is essential for your business sustainability as it directly impacts your taxes, personal assets, and liabilities.

Here’s a table that provides an overview of each legal structure, so you choose the best fit for your business.

Besides the above factors, when choosing a legal structure, assess your business goals, the level of risk you’re willing to take, and how you plan to grow. Think about factors such as owner liability, tax implications, and the ability to raise capital.

For instance, if you aim for significant growth and seek outside investors, a corporation might be beneficial. Conversely, a sole proprietorship or LLC might be more suitable if you prefer simplicity and control with lower risks.

Examples of legal structure in a business plan

A well-crafted legal structure can help your business prosper and provide sustainability. Here are some examples that demonstrate how to write a legal structure in your business plan:

Firm Name - TechSavvy Solutions

Legal Structure - S corporation

Our business, TechSavvy Solutions, a software development company, will be structured as an S Corporation. This legal structure was selected to provide personal liability protection for the owners while offering tax advantages, as profits and losses will pass through directly to the shareholders' income taxes, avoiding corporate-level taxation.

As an S Corp, TechSavvy Solutions will have a maximum of 100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens. The company will be owned by three co-founders - Mitchael Marshal, Jane Smith, and Michael Johnson - who will hold an equal number of shares. This setup supports our goal of maintaining strong financial transparency while scaling operations over time.

Firm Name - FreshBites Catering

Legal Structure - Sole proprietorship

A local catering business named FreshBites Catering will operate as a sole proprietorship owned and managed by Sophia Miller. This simple structure was chosen for its ease of setup and minimal legal requirements, allowing Sophia to focus on building her business. As a sole proprietor, Sophia will have complete control over business decisions and report all profits and losses on her tax return.

While a sole proprietorship provides no legal distinction between the business and its owner, Sophia's catering business will have a separate business name and bank account. She will also obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate in her local jurisdiction. The sole proprietorship structure is well-suited for Sophia's immediate needs, but she may consider transitioning to a more complex structure, such as an LLC, as the business grows.

Firm Name - Blue Horizon Travel

Legal Structure - Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Blue Horizon Travel will be organized as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The owners chose this structure to protect their liability.  It will allow tax flexibility, business income to pass through to the owners' income taxes, and avoid corporate taxation.

Blue Horizon Travel will be owned and managed as an LLC by two partners, Ally Smith and John Williams, who have equal ownership and decision-making authority. The LLC structure also allows us to bring in additional members in the future, which aligns with our long-term growth strategy.

Wrapping up

In this blog, we explored the types of business structures you can use as the foundation for building and organizing your business. With complete information, you can confidently choose the one that aligns with your goals, size, and operational needs.

However, if you still need help creating a well-structured business plan that includes legal considerations, you can use, Bizplanr . It’s an innovative tool that leverages AI capability to guide you through the process of crafting a comprehensive business plan align to legal structures in under 10 minutes!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best legal structure for a small business?

The best legal structure for a small business is often a Limited Liability Company (LLC). It offers personal liability protection for the owners while providing flexibility in management and tax options. It’s easy to set up and maintain, making it ideal for small businesses.

What legal structure is best for getting investors?

For attracting investors, a C Corporation is typically the best choice. It can issue multiple classes of stock, allowing for more flexible investment opportunities. They also provide limited liability protection, which appeals to potential investors.

Can I change my business structure after forming the company?

Yes, you can change your business structure after forming the company. However, this process may involve additional paperwork, legal requirements, and potential tax implications, so it’s essential to consult a professional.

Do I need a lawyer to set up my business structure?

While you don’t necessarily need a lawyer to set up your business structure, it’s highly recommended. A lawyer can provide valuable guidance, ensure compliance with local laws, and help you avoid costly mistakes during the setup process.

What legal structure should I choose for a family business?

An LLC or a partnership is often a good choice for a family business. Both structures allow for flexible management and profit-sharing while protecting personal assets from business liabilities. The choice depends on your specific needs and how you plan to involve family members in the business.

As the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, Vinay Kevadiya has over 12 years of experience in business planning. He provides valuable insights to help entrepreneurs build and manage successful business plans.

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Choosing the right legal structure is a necessary part of running a business. Whether you're just starting out or your business is growing, it's crucial to understand the options.

Table of Contents

Your business’s legal structure has many ramifications. It can determine how much liability your company faces during lawsuits. It can put up a barrier between your personal and business taxes – or ensure this barrier doesn’t exist. It can also determine how often your board of directors must file paperwork – or if you even need a board. [Related article: What to Do if Your Business Gets Sued ]

We’ll explore business legal structures and how to choose the right structure for your organization. 

What is a business legal structure?

A business legal structure, also known as a business entity, is a government classification that regulates certain aspects of your business. On a federal level, your business legal structure determines your tax burden. On a state level, it can have liability ramifications.

Why is a business legal structure important?

Choosing the right business structure from the start is among the most crucial decisions you can make. Here are some factors to consider:

• Taxes: Sole proprietors, partnership owners and S corporation owners categorize their business income as personal income. C corporation income is business income separate from an owner’s personal income. Given the different tax rates for business and personal incomes, your structure choice can significantly impact your tax burden.
• Liability: Limited liability company (LLC) structures can protect your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit. That said, the federal government does not recognize LLC structures; they exist only on a state level. C corporations are a federal business structure that includes the liability protection of LLCs.
• Paperwork: Each business legal structure has unique tax forms. Additionally, if you structure your company as a corporation, you’ll need to submit articles of incorporation and regularly file certain government reports. If you start a business partnership and do business under a fictitious name, you’ll need to file special paperwork for that as well.
• Hierarchy: Corporations must have a board of directors. In certain states, this board must meet a certain number of times per year. Corporate hierarchies also prevent business closure if an owner transfers shares or exits the company, or when a founder dies . Other structures lack this closure protection.
• Registration: A business legal structure is also a prerequisite for registering your business in your state. You can’t apply for an employer identification number (EIN) or all your necessary licenses and permits without a business structure.
• Fundraising: Your structure can also block you from raising funds in certain ways. For example, sole proprietorships generally can’t offer stocks. That right is primarily reserved for corporations.
• Potential consequences for choosing the wrong structure: Your initial choice of business structure is crucial, although you can change your business structure in the future. However, changing your business structure can be a disorganized, confusing process that can lead to tax consequences and the unintended dissolution of your business. 

Types of business structures

The most common business entity types are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations and cooperatives. Here’s more about each type of legal structure.

Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business entity. When you set up a sole proprietorship , one person is responsible for all a company’s profits and debts.

“If you want to be your own boss and run a business from home without a physical storefront, a sole proprietorship allows you to be in complete control,” said Deborah Sweeney, vice president and general manager of business acquisitions at Deluxe Corp. “This entity does not offer the separation or protection of personal and professional assets, which could prove to become an issue later on as your business grows and more aspects hold you liable.”

Proprietorship costs vary by market. Generally, early expenses will include state and federal fees, taxes, business equipment leases , office space, banking fees, and any professional services your business contracts. Some examples of these businesses are freelance writers, tutors, bookkeepers , cleaning service providers and babysitters.

A sole proprietorship business structure has several advantages.

• Easy setup: A sole proprietorship is the simplest legal structure to set up. If you – and only you – own your business, this might be the best structure. There is very little paperwork since you have no partners or executive boards.
• Low cost: Costs vary by state, but generally, license fees and business taxes are the only fees associated with a proprietorship.
• Tax deduction: Since you and your business are a single entity, you may be eligible for specific business sole proprietor tax deductions , such as a health insurance deduction.
• Easy exit: Forming a proprietorship is easy, and so is ending one. As a single owner, you can dissolve your business at any time with no formal paperwork required. For example, if you start a daycare center and wish to fold the business, refrain from operating the day care and advertising your services.

The sole proprietorship is also one of the most common small business legal structures. Many famous companies started as sole proprietorships and eventually grew into multimillion-dollar businesses. These are a few examples:

• Marriott Hotels

Partnership 

A partnership is owned by two or more individuals. There are two types: a general partnership, where all is shared equally, and a limited partnership, where only one partner has control of operations and the other person (or persons) contributes to and receives part of the profits. Partnerships can operate as sole proprietorships, where there’s no separation between the partners and the business, or limited liability partnerships (LLPs), depending on the entity’s funding and liability structure.

“This entity is ideal for anyone who wants to go into business with a family member, friend or business partner – like running a restaurant or agency together,” Sweeney said. “A partnership allows the partners to share profits and losses and make decisions together within the business structure. Remember that you will be held liable for the decisions made as well as those actions made by your business partner.”

General partnership costs vary, but this structure is more expensive than a sole proprietorship because an attorney should review your partnership agreement. The attorney’s experience and location can affect the cost. 

A business partnership agreement must be a win-win for both sides to succeed. Google is an excellent example of this. In 1995, co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin created a small search engine and turned it into the leading global search engine. The co-founders met at Stanford University while pursuing their doctorates and later left to develop a beta version of their search engine. Soon after, they raised $1 million in funding from investors, and Google began receiving thousands of visitors a day. Having a combined ownership of 11.4% of Google provides them with a total net worth of nearly $226.4 billion.

Business partnerships have many advantages. 

• Easy formation: As with a sole proprietorship, there is little paperwork to file for a business partnership. If your state requires you to operate under a fictitious name ( “doing business as,” or DBA ), you’ll need to file a Certificate of Conducting Business as Partners and draft an Articles of Partnership agreement, both of which have additional fees. You’ll usually need a business license as well.
• Growth potential: You’re more likely to obtain a business loan with more than one owner. Bankers can consider two credit histories rather than one, which can be helpful if you have a less-than-stellar credit score.
• Special taxation: General partnerships must file federal tax Form 1065 and state returns, but they do not usually pay income tax. Both partners report their shared income or loss on their individual income tax returns. For example, if you opened a bakery with a friend and structured the business as a general partnership, you and your friend are co-owners. Each owner brings a certain level of experience and working capital to the business, affecting each partner’s business share and contribution. If you brought the most seed capital for the business, you and your partner may agree that you’ll retain a higher share percentage, making you the majority owner.

Partnerships are one of the most common business structures. These are some examples of successful partnerships:

• Warner Bros.
• Hewlett-Packard
• Ben & Jerry’s

Limited liability company 

A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid structure that allows owners, partners or shareholders to limit their personal liabilities while enjoying a partnership’s tax and flexibility benefits. Under an LLC, members are shielded from personal liability for the business’s debts if it can’t be proven that they acted in a negligent or wrongful manner that results in injury to another in carrying out the activities of the business.

“Limited liability companies were created to provide business owners with the liability protection that corporations enjoy while allowing earnings and losses to pass through to the owners as income on their personal tax returns,” said Brian Cairns, CEO of ProStrategix Consulting. “LLCs can have one or more members, and profits and losses do not have to be divided equally among members.”

The cost of forming an LLC comprises the state filing fee and can vary depending on your state. For example, if you file an LLC in New York, you must pay a $200 filing fee, a $9 biennial fee, and file a biennial statement with the New York Department of State .

Although small businesses can be LLCs, some large businesses choose this legal structure. The structure is typical among accounting, tax, and law firms, but other types of companies also file as LLCs. One example of an LLC is Anheuser-Busch, one of the leaders in the U.S. beer industry. Headquartered in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, a multinational brewing company based in Leuven, Belgium.

Here some other well-known examples of LLCs:

• Hertz Rent-a-Car

Corporation 

The law regards a corporation as separate from its owners, with legal rights independent of its owners. It can sue, be sued, own and sell property, and sell the rights of ownership in the form of stocks. Corporation filing fees vary by state and fee category. 

There are several types of corporations, including C corporations , S corporations, B corporations, closed corporations, and nonprofit corporations.

• C corporations: C corporations, owned by shareholders, are taxed as separate entities. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a multinational investment bank and financial services holding company listed as a C corporation. Since C corporations allow an unlimited number of investors, many larger companies – including Apple, Bank of America and Amazon – file for this tax status.
• S corporations: S corporations were designed for small businesses. They avoid double taxation, much like partnerships and LLCs. Owners also have limited liability protection. Widgets Inc. is an example of an S corporation that operates very simply: Employee salaries are subject to FICA tax (as are all employee salaries), while the distribution of additional profits from the S corporation does not incur further FICA tax liability. [Learn more about FICA taxes for small businesses .]
• B corporations: B corporations, otherwise known as benefit corporations, are for-profit entities committed to corporate social responsibility and structured to positively impact society. For example, skincare and cosmetics company The Body Shop has proven its long-term commitment to supporting environmental and social movements, resulting in an awarded B corporation status. The Body Shop uses its presence to advocate for permanent change on issues like human trafficking, domestic violence, climate change, deforestation and animal testing in the cosmetic industry.
• Closed corporations: Closed corporations, typically run by a few shareholders, are not publicly traded and benefit from limited liability protection. Closed corporations, sometimes referred to as privately held companies, have more flexibility than publicly traded companies. For example, Hobby Lobby is a closed corporation – a privately held, family-owned business. Stocks associated with Hobby Lobby are not publicly traded; instead, the stocks have been allocated to family members.
• Open corporations: Open corporations are available for trade on a public market. Many well-known companies, including Microsoft and Ford Motor Co., are open corporations. Each corporation has taken ownership of the company and allows anyone to invest.
• Nonprofit corporations: Nonprofit corporations exist to help others in some way and are rewarded by tax exemption. Some examples of nonprofits are the Salvation Army, American Heart Association and American Red Cross. These organizations all focus on something other than turning a profit.

Corporations enjoy several advantages. 

• Limited liability: Stockholders are not personally liable for claims against your corporation; they are liable only for their personal investments.
• Continuity: Corporations are not affected by death or the transferring of shares by their owners. Your business continues to operate indefinitely, which investors, creditors and consumers prefer.
• Capital: It’s much easier to raise large amounts of capital from multiple investors when your business is incorporated.

This structure is ideal for businesses that are further along in their growth, rather than a startup based in a living room. For example, if you’ve started a shoe company and have already named your business, appointed directors and raised capital through shareholders, the next step is to become incorporated. You’re essentially conducting business at a riskier, yet more lucrative, rate. Additionally, your business could file as an S corporation for the tax benefits. Once your business grows to a certain level, it’s likely in your best interest to incorporate it.

These are some popular examples of corporations:

• General Motors
• Exxon Mobil Corp.
• Domino’s Pizza
• JPMorgan Chase

Learn more about how to become a corporation .

Cooperative

A cooperative (co-op) is owned by the same people it serves. Its offerings benefit the company’s members, also called user-owners, who vote on the organization’s mission and direction and share profits.

Cooperatives offer a couple main advantages.

• Increased funding: Cooperatives may be eligible for federal grants to help them get started.
• Discounts and better service: Cooperatives can leverage their business size, thus obtaining discounts on products and services for their members.

Forming a cooperative is complex and requires you to choose a business name that indicates whether the co-op is a corporation (e.g., Inc. or Ltd.). The filing fee associated with a co-op agreement varies by state. 

An example of a co-op is CHS Inc., a Fortune 100 business owned by U.S. agricultural cooperatives. As the nation’s leading agribusiness cooperative, CHS reported a net income of $547.5 million for fiscal year 2023. These are some other notable examples of co-ops:

• Land O’Lakes
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Ace Hardware

Factors to consider before choosing a business structure

For new businesses that could fall into two or more of these categories, it’s not always easy to decide which structure to choose. Consider your startup’s financial needs, risk and ability to grow. It can be challenging to switch your legal structure after registering your business, so give it careful analysis in the early stages of forming your business. 

Here are some crucial factors to consider as you choose your business’s legal structure. You should also consult a CPA for advice.

Flexibility 

Where is your company headed, and which type of legal structure allows for the growth you envision? Turn to your business plan to review your goals and see which structure best aligns with those objectives. Your entity should support the possibility for growth and change, not hold it back from its potential. [Learn how to write a business plan with this template .]

When it comes to startup and operational complexity, nothing is more straightforward than a sole proprietorship. Register your name, start doing business, report the profits and pay taxes on it as personal income. However, it can be difficult to procure outside funding. Partnerships, on the other hand, require a signed agreement to define the roles and percentages of profits. Corporations and LLCs have various reporting requirements with state governments and the federal government.

A corporation carries the least amount of personal liability since the law holds that it is its own entity. This means creditors and customers can sue the corporation, but they can’t gain access to any personal assets of the officers or shareholders. An LLC offers the same protection but with the tax benefits of a sole proprietorship. Partnerships share the liability between the partners as defined by their partnership agreement.

An owner of an LLC pays taxes just as a sole proprietor does: All profit is considered personal income and taxed accordingly at the end of the year.

“As a small business owner, you want to avoid double taxation in the early stages,” said Jennifer Friedman, principal at Rivetr. “The LLC structure prevents that and makes sure you’re not taxed as a company, but as an individual.”

Individuals in a partnership also claim their share of the profits as personal income. Your accountant may suggest quarterly or biannual advance payments to minimize the effect on your return. 

A corporation files its own tax returns each year, paying taxes on profits after expenses, including payroll. If you pay yourself from the corporation, you will pay personal taxes, such as those for Social Security and Medicare, on your personal return. 

If you want sole or primary control of the business and its activities, a sole proprietorship or an LLC might be the best choice. You can negotiate such control in a partnership agreement as well.

A corporation is constructed to have a board of directors that makes the major decisions that guide the company. A single person can control a corporation, especially at its inception, but as it grows, so does the need to operate it as a board-directed entity. Even for a small corporation, the rules intended for larger organizations – such as keeping notes of every major decision that affects the company – still apply.

Capital investment

If you need to obtain outside funding from an investor, venture capitalist or bank, you may be better off establishing a corporation. Corporations have an easier time obtaining outside funding than sole proprietorships.

Corporations can sell shares of stock and secure additional funding for growth, while sole proprietors can obtain funds only through their personal accounts, using their personal credit or taking on partners. An LLC can face similar struggles, although, as its own entity, it’s not always necessary for the owner to use their personal credit or assets.

Licenses, permits and regulations

In addition to legally registering your business entity, you may need specific licenses and permits to operate. Depending on the type of business and its activities, it may need to be licensed at the local, state and federal levels.

“States have different requirements for different business structures,” Friedman said. “Depending on where you set up, there could be different requirements at the municipal level as well. As you choose your structure, understand the state and industry you’re in. It’s not ‘one size fits all,’ and businesses may not be aware of what’s applicable to them.”

The structures discussed here apply only to for-profit businesses. If you’ve done your research and you’re still unsure which business structure is right for you, Friedman advises speaking with a specialist in business law.

Think about your businesses needs

When it comes to choosing the right legal structure for your business, considering your business’s needs is of the utmost importance. By prioritizing your business’s unique situation, you can choose the right structure to ensure your business can grow to the heights you envision. As it does grow, you can restructure so the legal parameters match the phase your business is in. 

Max Freedman and Matt D’Angelo contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

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Types of Business Structures Explained

13 min. read

Updated January 5, 2024

The choice you make about what type of business structure is appropriate for your company will affect how much you pay in taxes, the level of risk or liability to your personal assets (your house, your savings), and even your ability to raise money from angel investors or venture capitalists.

So, the structure you choose is significant.

This guide will explain the basics of common business structures, but we can’t tell you exactly which structure you should choose—if you need that kind of advice, you should consult a lawyer or an accountant.

• Sole proprietorship

The simplest business structure is the sole proprietorship. If you don’t create a separate legal entity, your business is a sole proprietorship. 

The main advantage of the sole proprietorship is that it’s relatively simple and inexpensive. The disadvantage is that it doesn’t create a legal separation between you and your personal assets and business assets. If you’re sued or your business folds—your personal assets are fair game for creditors and in terms of legal liability.

Who is a sole proprietorship for?

A sole proprietorship is ideal for self-employed individuals like personal trainers offering individual coaching or artists selling unique items on platforms like Etsy.

Key considerations

• Cost-effective setup: The primary expense is usually the DBA (“doing business as”) registration. Some states may require public notice, like a newspaper ad. Generally, the total cost is below $100.
• Simplified taxation: Sole proprietorships are “pass-through” tax entities. Profits and losses are reported directly on the owner’s taxes, necessitating only a few additional tax forms if you’re the sole worker.
• Hiring employees is possible: Being a “sole” proprietor doesn’t restrict hiring. If you employ others, tax processes become slightly more intricate.
• Limited ways to raise funding: You can’t sell company stock, limiting fundraising avenues.
• Potential loan difficulties: Banks might hesitate to grant loans to sole proprietorships due to perceived credibility issues.
• Full personal liability: If the business faces debt or legal issues, your personal assets, including your home, car, and savings, are vulnerable.

Dig deeper:

Should you register as a sole proprietorship?

Explore the pros and cons of incorporating as a sole proprietorship.

How sole proprietorships are taxed

Understand how registering as a sole proprietor impacts your taxes.

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• Partnerships

Still a relatively simple business structure, a partnership involves two or more individuals sharing ownership of their new business. They’ll contribute to the business in some way and share in profits and losses.

Partnerships are harder to describe because they change so much. State laws govern them, but the Uniform Partnership Act has become the law in most states. That act, however, mainly sets the specific partnership agreement as the real legal core of the partnership so that the legal details can vary widely.

Usually, the income or loss from partnerships passes through to the partners without any partnership tax. The agreements can define different levels of risk, which is why you’ll read about some partnerships with general and limited partners, with different levels of risk for each. Your partnership agreement should clearly define what happens if a partner withdraws, buy and sell arrangements for partners and liquidation arrangements if necessary.

What are the types of partnerships?

• General partnership: Assumes equal involvement of all parties in profits, liabilities, and duties. Any intentional imbalance should be specified in the partnership agreement.
• Limited partnership: Suited for partners in an investor role with limited involvement in daily operations. This structure is more complex and less common.
• Joint venture: Designed for a single project or a limited duration, operating similarly to a general partnership.

Who is a partnership for?

A partnership is similar to an extended sole proprietorship and is ideal for two or more individuals wanting to start a business jointly. 

To make the partnership more effective, you and your partners should have skillsets, connections, or other unique benefits that complement each other. 

For example, a personal trainer and nutritionist building an online fitness program. One entrepreneur has experience building an exercise regiment with clients. The other understands how to create balanced meal and supplement recommendations. 

They have unique but complementary knowledge that, when combined, creates a more valuable product/service.

• Partnership agreement: While not mandatory, it’s advisable to draft a partnership agreement, ideally reviewed by legal counsel, to clarify roles and responsibilities, ownership, and what will happen if a partner wants to leave the partnership.
• Tax implications: Partnerships are “pass-through” entities, meaning profits and losses are directly passed to the partners. Refer to the IRS for partnership tax details.
• Additional costs: Since it’s a good idea to have a lawyer look over your partnership agreement, don’t forget to factor in this added expense.
• Trust in partnership: Ensure your partner is trustworthy, as partners share responsibility for business decisions and debts. A well-drafted partnership agreement can prevent future conflicts.

How to create a business partnership agreement

Even if you’re not in an official partnership, you should consider drafting a partnership agreement. Doing so will clearly define rights and responsibilities and help you amicably resolve any disputes.

How partnerships are taxed

Understand how registering as a partnership impacts your taxes.

Plan for changes with a buy-sell agreement

What will you do if you or your partner quits, sells their portion of the business, or passes away?

How to find the right business partner

A partnership is more than a legal structure. It’s a relationship between entrepreneurs who share a passion for an idea and bring unique skill sets. So, how do you find the right person to make your partnership thrive?…

Traits to look for in a business partner

What makes a good business partner? If you’re considering someone with the following traits, you likely have a good fit.

How many partners should you have?

What’s the ideal number of business partners? The right mix of people and skillsets can lead to tremendous business growth. But too many may lead to disaster.

What to do when your business partner is your life partner

Should your significant other be your business partner? Learn your legal options and how to find the right ownership fit for your business and relationship.

• Limited liability company

Should your business fall on hard times, does the idea of being held personally responsible for all losses sound intimidating?

It’s understandable—plenty of would-be entrepreneurs shudder at the thought of the bank seizing their personal assets should the business go south.

A limited liability corporation (or LLC) is, in some ways, the best of both worlds. It allows for the flexibility of a partnership or sole proprietorship but, as the name suggests, limits the liability of those involved, similar to a corporation. An LLC is usually a lot like an S corporation. It offers a combination of some limitations on legal liability and some favorable tax treatment for profits and transfer of assets.

Who is a limited liability corporation for?

An LLC is ideal for those wary of personal liability in business. If you possess significant personal assets or operate in a lawsuit-prone industry—an LLC safeguards your personal finances. 

• Complexity: While offering more protection, an LLC is harder to establish than a sole proprietorship or partnership.
• Tax benefits: LLCs maintain “pass-through” tax status, meaning you’re taxed only on your profit share, which is reported on personal taxes. 
• Single-member LLCs: Most states allow single-person LLCs, making it a potential alternative to sole proprietorships.

How to form a limited liability company

Interested in forming an LLC? Here are the steps you’ll need to take.

How to create an LLC operating agreement

Set the rules for how your LLC will operate, including the management structure, individual responsibilities, ownership percentage, and other important information.

LLC costs and fees explained

Make sure you’re aware of all the costs and fees associated with forming an LLC.

How LLCs are taxed

Understand how registering as an LLC impacts your taxes.

• Corporations

Shareholders, a more complex legal structure, and more intricate tax requirements are all characteristics of a corporation.

Corporations are either the standard C corporation, the small business S corporation, or the benefit corporation or B corp. The C corporation is the classic legal entity of the vast majority of successful companies in the United States.

Corporations can switch from C to S and back again, but not often. The IRS has strict rules for when and how those switches are made. You’ll almost always want to have your CPA, and in some cases, your attorney, guide you through the legal requirements for switching.

Who is a corporation for?

Corporations are best suited for larger, established businesses with multiple employees, plans for rapid scaling, or intentions to trade or attract significant external investments publicly. A corporation might not be the right choice if you’re a small business owner or work with a small team.

What are the types of corporations?

C corporation.

What we typically think of when we refer to corporations, where all shareholders combine funds and are then given stock in the newly formed business. 

A C corp is a separate tax entity, meaning your business can deduct taxes. It also means that earnings can be taxed twice, as they are concerning your business and your personal taxes if you take income as dividends. However, good tax planning can often minimize the impact of double taxation.

Most lawyers would agree (but verify this with your lawyer who is familiar with your unique business) that the C corporation is the structure that provides the best shielding from personal liability for owners, and provides the best non-tax benefits to owners. Many companies with ambitions of raising major investment capital and eventually going public consider the C corporation.

S corporation

An S corp is similar to a traditional C corporation, with one major difference: Profits and losses can be “passed through” to your personal tax return without being taxed separately first.

In practical terms, the owners can take their profits home without first paying the corporation’s separate tax on profits. In most states, an S corporation is owned by a limited number of private owners (25 is a common maximum), and only individuals (not corporations) can hold stock in S corporations.

To become an S corp, you must first set your business up as a corporation within your state and then request S corp status. The IRS instructions for Form 2553 (which you’ll need to file to become an S corp) can help you determine if you qualify.

B corporation

Does your company have a dedicated social mission, a good cause built into its foundation that you’d like to continue furthering as your company grows? If so, you might consider becoming a B corporation, which stands for “benefit corporation.” 

However, the name is a bit misleading; a B corp isn’t an entirely different structure than a regular C corporation. It’s a C corp vetted and approved for B corp status. Some states give tax breaks to B corps, and it’s a great way to stand behind a cause.

So, why would you choose a B corp over a nonprofit? The biggest difference is in ownership—with a nonprofit, no owners or shareholders exist. A B corp, which is still a type of corporation, still has shareholders who own the company. So, a B corp has a social mission but is still a for-profit company (as opposed to a nonprofit) with an end goal of returning profits to the shareholders.

• Liability: Corporations offer the most protection for personal assets.
• Capital raising: The ability to sell stock enhances investment potential.
• Taxation: Corporate taxes are separate (except for S corps), but the structure can lead to double taxation, especially for C corporations.
• Complexity: Establishing a corporation is more intricate than other business structures, requiring more paperwork and formalities.

How to form a corporation

Follow these ten steps to incorporate as a C, S, or B corporation.

How are corporations taxed?

Understand how registering as a corporation impacts your taxes.

S corporation basics

Should you choose an S corp as the legal structure for your business? Learn the basics and what alternatives are available.

B corporation basics

Should you choose a B corp as the legal structure for your business? Check out this detailed overview of how this business entity functions and the pros and cons you’ll contend with.

A nonprofit is a “not-for-profit” business structure, meaning the business does not exist to generate revenue for shareholders, but rather funnel business revenue into a social mission, cause, or purpose.

Who is a nonprofit for?

Nonprofits cater to those with missions centered on charitable, educational, scientific, or religious purposes. Examples include homeless shelters, conservation groups, arts centers, and educational institutions.

What’s the difference between a nonprofit and a cooperative?

Like a nonprofit, a cooperative is a business with a social mission that doesn’t divide income between shareholders but toward a cause or purpose. However, while some states view nonprofits and cooperatives as the same, a cooperative differs because the members own it, referred to as “user-owners.”

If you plan on organizing your business to be democratically owned, looking into the cooperative business structure might be a good idea to look into the cooperative business structure .

• Complex setup: Establishing a nonprofit requires steps similar to forming a corporation, including filing articles of incorporation, creating bylaws, and organizing board meetings.
• Fundraising will be your main priority: Nonprofits generally rely on fundraising and grants to keep a flow of income into their business.

What is a nonprofit corporation and how to start one

Learn the basics of setting up a nonprofit corporation.

How to earn income as a nonprofit corporation

Learn how related and unrelated business activities can generate revenue for a nonprofit corporation.

• Making your business legally compliant

Choosing a business structure is the first legal step you’ll take. Your choice will impact your taxes, fundraising, and personal liability. 

Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software (maker of Bplans) reminds small business and startup founders that choosing a business entity or structure is something to take seriously. He says:

“Make sure you know which legal steps you must take to be in business. I’m not an attorney, and I don’t give legal advice. I strongly recommend working with an attorney to review the details of your company’s legal establishment and licensing. The trade-offs involved in incorporation versus partnership versus other structures are significant. Small problems developed at the early stages of a new business can become horrendous problems later on. In this regard, the cost of simple legal advice is almost always worth it. Don’t skimp on legal costs.”

TLDR: Take time, carefully weigh your options, and consult a legal professional.

Once you’ve chosen, check off the remaining legal requirements to start a business. While you can complete most of these in any order, here are a few suggestions.

• Apply for a federal and state tax ID
• Obtain licenses and permits
• Register your business name

Kody Wirth is a content writer and SEO specialist for Palo Alto Software—the creator's of Bplans and LivePlan. He has 3+ years experience covering small business topics and runs a part-time content writing service in his spare time.

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• Legal Structure of a Business
• LawDistrict ❯
• Legal Dictionary
• What Is a Legal Structure?

A legal structure is an organizational framework for how a business entity operates . Also called a business structure, a business form, or a business ownership structure, the proper legal structure depends on the size and type of your business and your business goals.

Typical business legal structures include sole proprietorships , limited liability companies ( LLCs ), partnerships (such as LLPs ), and corporations .

• How Do I Choose the Right Legal Structure?

Different legal structures come with distinct advantages and disadvantages. In most cases, the criteria you will evaluate to select the right format involve the following:

• owner liability
• expenses and procedures needed to create and run the business structure
• how the business will be taxed
• investment needs

Owner liability : The more risk involved with the service or product your business provides, the more important owner liability becomes.

Both corporations and LLCs offer business owners some personal liability protection against someone making claims against the business. In fact, this protection is one of the main benefits of an LLC. Conversely, owners of partnerships and sole proprietorships have little personal protection.

Expenses and procedures : Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not require much in the way of fees and documents to start a business . Partnerships do need to create a partnership agreement that specifies who does what in the company.

However, you must file articles of incorporation with your secretary of state's office and pay associated fees to establish a corporation or an LLC. Required fees and forms, such as an LLC operating agreement , vary from state to state.

In addition, the owners of businesses with these two business structures must elect officers to elect to run the company and maintain detailed records of any critical business decisions.

Taxes: The business structure you choose also affects your income tax status . Sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLCs are "pass-through" tax entities, meaning the taxes on business profits and losses "pass through" to the owners on their personal income taxes. However, these owners must file taxes on all net profits from their business, even if they take no money out of the company during the tax year.

Unlike the "pass-through" structures, corporations are considered separate tax entities. These business owners pay taxes only on the profits they actually take from the business in the form of salaries, dividends, or bonuses. Also, the corporation pays taxes at a lower tax rate than some individuals do.

Investment needs: If your business relies on investors, then a corporation may be the right business structure. Structuring as a corporation allows a company to sell shares of ownership through stock offerings. The previous business structures cannot offer stock.

Start Your Free Business Plan Template

FAQs About Business Structures

What about llc vs. sole proprietorship.

Deciding between an LLC and a sole proprietorship is a difficult choice when it comes to legal structure . Many entrepreneurs launch their businesses as sole proprietorships because they are easy and inexpensive to set up and maintain. All profits and losses "pass through" to the owner's personal tax return, and the owner does not need to pay business taxes.

However, a sole proprietorship is not considered a separate legal entity. Therefore, the owner has unlimited liability protection and can be held personally liable for the obligations of the business.

As their businesses grow, many sole proprietors restructure their businesses as LLCs , which offer the pass-through tax advantage and limited liability protection.

Is a business plan essential?

A well-thought-out business plan serves as a guide for launching and managing your business and choosing its legal structure . When you go through the steps of how to write a business plan , you'll be able to see more clearly what legal structure you'll need for your endeavor.

Traditional business plans use a standard structure and offer details on each aspect of the business. A lean startup business plan uses the same structure but summarizes the key elements.

Depending on your type of business and the structure you choose, you may need to apply for a business registration number . You will use this number to file taxes, open up a bank account, and conduct other official business.

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Start » startup, getting ready to launch how to choose the right business structure.

Choosing the right business structure can be tricky. We walk you through the pros and cons of each.

When you first start a business, your mind may be swimming with an endless number of tough decisions to make. One of those – choosing the proper legal “corporate form” – can be a complicated endeavor. You do not have to overthink it, though, and your initial decision is not necessarily set in stone. Plenty of huge companies started as sole proprietorships before shifting to a more complicated corporate form, and so too, many small startups have unnecessarily burned precious startup capital on lawyers for too-complicated legal structures.

Here then are some of the basic pros and cons to think about when structuring your small business.

Sole proprietorship

Contrary to popular belief, you do not necessarily need to set up any type of formal structure before launching a business. In fact, most of us have run a sole proprietorship without even knowing it. If you ever got paid directly for babysitting or mowing a lawn, you were running a sole proprietorship. A sole proprietorship is simply a business owner who runs a business without any formal corporate structure. They simply report their profits and losses on their personal tax return (or at least they should).

Ideally, you will create a separate checking account for your proprietorship and keep good records of any profits and losses. That will be important come tax time. You should also register the name of your business with the state and you may also need local business licenses. That said, all in all, setting up a sole proprietorship requires only a very minimal amount of time, effort and expense.

The best thing about a sole proprietorship is that it is easy to create and maintain. Setting up many types of corporate forms can cost anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars, but that is not the case with a sole proprietorship.

The biggest drawback of sole proprietorships is the potential for personal liability. For example, if you chose to incorporate your business instead, your corporation is a separate legal entity apart from you. The corporation, not you personally, is liable for the business’ debts and liabilities.

This is not true for a sole proprietorship.

If you are working as a sole proprietor and your company gets into trouble, you and your business are one and the same. For example, a woman in Pennsylvania that ran a grocery store as a sole proprietor for many years was recently forced into bankruptcy. She now personally owes her grocery store's bakers and vendors, and a judge may sell her home to try to pay the debts of her store.

The other drawback is obvious. A sole proprietorship can only have the one sole owner. If you want your business to survive you, or you want to go into business with someone else, you will need to choose another entity.

[Read our full guide on sole proprietorships ]

General partnership

The easiest way for two or more people to go into business together is to form a general partnership . Like a sole proprietor, general partners usually do not need to file any formal paperwork, although having a written partnership agreement that spells out duties, responsibilities and financials is strongly advised. Partners generally share profits and losses equally, jointly run the business, invest money together, and own property together.

General partnerships are easy to form, and the profits (or losses) of the partnership are reported on the partners’ personal tax returns. One of the biggest risks of a partnership, however, is that each partner can make decisions for the whole, typically unilaterally, and yet all partners are responsible for that decision.

Similarly, as with a sole proprietorship, each partner is personally liable for the debts of the business. There is no corporate shield. Additionally, a partnership can be said to be formed by the actions of the participants even if they did not intend to start a partnership. One final big limitation with partnerships is that they are usually destroyed when one partner leaves.

[Read our full guide on general partnerships .]

Contrary to popular belief, you do not necessarily need to set up any type of formal structure before launching a business.

C corporation

A corporation is a legal entity that has two main features: (1) limited liability, and (2) infinite life. Both of these should be attractive to an entrepreneur. As indicated, limited liability is very important because it allows people to enter into a business without putting their personal assets at risk. For example, if you bought stock in Coca Cola, you would not want to personally be sued if the company sold a tainted batch of soda. Instead, if Coca Cola goes bankrupt, its shareholders would only lose the money they put into the company.

“Infinite life” means just that. A corporation can live on as long as its shareholders keep it alive. A sole proprietorship will obviously die when that sole proprietor dies or quits the business. A corporation is owned by its shareholders, though, and will carry on even as some shareholders quit, sell their shares, or die.

Corporations have a tremendous amount of flexibility in how they are formed, but probably the most important distinction for a small business is choosing a tax treatment. A " C corporation " is one that chooses to pay the corporate income tax directly to the government (as opposed to flowing through to the owner’s personal return.) Most large companies like Xerox and Amazon are C corporations, which refers to Subchapter C of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Limited liability and endless flexibility. As mentioned previously, the main reason to create a corporation is to limit the liability of the business owners. A corporation can be set up in an infinite number of ways with all kinds of formal management processes in place. Additionally, major investors who often work with corporations will not get involved if the business is structured any other way.

Double taxation and complicated setup. C corps are subject to double taxation, that means that the company is taxed once on earnings, and then shareholders are taxed again on distributions. This process has been made less painful by recent changes to the U.S. tax code, but corporations in the United States are still taxed at 21%.

[Read our full article on C Corp.'s]

S corporation

S corps are often the preferred legal structure for many a small business because of

• Limited liability
• Tax savings

S corps are "pass-through" entities, meaning, while the owners still get the benefits of limited personal liability, profits from the corporation flow through directly to the owner’s personal taxes. S corps therefore are not taxed separately. The IRS has strict requirements for S corps, but there is no actual limit on the size of an S corp.

Limited liability and tax relief. S corps come with all the limited liability benefits of any other corporation, while still allowing the business to be structured a number of ways. The IRS restricts some things for S corps that a C corp can do, though; for example, a C corp can have more than one class of stock, while an S corp cannot.

The most important thing about an S corp is that it avoids double taxation . S corps can make distributions to its owners that are not subject to income tax or self-employment taxes. In order to keep S corps from using that rule to completely avoid paying employment taxes, the IRS does require S corps to pay market-rate salaries to its owners.

A more complicated setup. S corps can sometimes be relatively complicated to set up, and simple mistakes can cost an S corp its status. A professional should usually be involved.

Limited liability company

Limited liability companies, or LLCs, are a relatively new corporate form that was invented in Wyoming in 1977 at the behest of an oil company seeking to launch a new venture that would be run like a partnership, have limited liability, and also avoid double taxation at the federal level. Wyoming did not have a state income tax at the time, so, since the state legislature did not have to worry about losing tax revenues, it agreed to try it.

Florida created a similar scheme in 1982 and the U.S. Congress started to pay attention. In a 1986 tax reform bill, Congress blessed the LLC concept, and today LLCs can be formed in every state that will be honored in every other state. In fact, LLCs have become “undeniability the most popular form of new business entity in the United States” despite being somewhat new.

The best of both worlds. LLCs were created to allow owners to enjoy all of the best parts of the other corporate forms, so they have a lot of pros.

• LLCs are easy to form, and, if used properly, provide limited liability like any other corporation. Forming an LLC is typically as easy as filling out a form and paying around $10.
• An LLC is easily managed by its members, who vote in proportion with their membership. So, if a two-member LLC is owned 60% by one member, that member basically makes all the decisions. LLCs can also have one member, making it a “single-member LLC” that runs just like a sole proprietorship but with limited liability protections.
• LLCs can also grow to have hundreds of members that oversee the business while hiring extensive teams of managers to run the business.

When set up correctly, an LLC can be taxed however you want . LLCs are often treated as “disregarded entities” where the LLC’s activities are accounted for on its owners’ tax returns, just like a sole proprietorship or partnership. LLCs can also be set up as an S corp tax-wise, or they can elect to pay corporate income taxes to avoid passing through profits and losses to their members.

The cons of an LLC are few and far between. There is some cost to creating them, typically ranging from $50 to $500. LLCs are limited in their ownership structure, as they cannot sell non-voting shares the way a corporation can. LLCs cannot deviate from being member-controlled, either. For these reasons, investors are somewhat leery of the LLC, making them unsuitable for most large businesses and for small companies hoping to grow rapidly.

[Read our full guide to LLC' s]

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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