Pros and Cons Corporations

corporation pros and cons

You should also consult with an attorney or accountant who can help you make the right decision based on your specific circumstances. One key difference between partnerships and corporations is the startup phase. Starting a partnership is easier, less time-consuming and less expensive than starting a corporation. To start a general partnership, as with any business, you may need to file for a business license or fictitious business name.

If the joint account holder deposits $1,000 in the account, you can see that transaction and spend that money. Everyone on the account is responsible for making sure the account isn’t overdrawn and will be liable for any fees that are charged. Sierra Campbell is a small business editor for USA Today Blueprint. She specializes in writing, editing and fact-checking content centered around helping businesses.

Limited partnership advantages and disadvantages

With C-corporations, shareholders also pay personal taxes on any dividends they receive. A C-corp can have an unlimited number of shareholders and multiple classes of stock. If you’re a sole proprietor, it might be best to establish an LLC since your business assets are separated from your personal corporation pros and cons assets. You can always change the structure later or create a new company that’s an S corporation. An S corporation would be better for more complex companies with many people involved since there needs to be a board of directors, a maximum of 100 shareholders, and more regulatory requirements.

That outcome is more likely going to happen with a corporation than with other business structures. Most are chartered based on whether or not they can issue stock or make profits. They can be a corporation sole owner or have an aggregate of owners through the use of equity ownership. The two most common options you’ll find in the United States are C-corporations and S-corporations, but certified B-corporations are a choice in 35 states and the District of Columbia as of 2019. For an LLC, the main advantage of S-corp taxation is that it may save money on self-employment taxes.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that also allows pass-through taxation. That’s because the LLC is a separate legal entity from its owners. Individuals or partners can own the LLC, and partners can include individuals or businesses. The traditional type of corporation that’s subject to a corporate income tax.