BUSINESS FORMATION & GROWTH SERVICES

Sole Proprietorship: The simplest and least expensive option where the owner and business are the same legal entity.

Limited Liability Company (LLC): A flexible hybrid that protects personal assets from business liabilities.

General Partnership: An unincorporated business owned by two or more people.

Corporation (C Corp): A legal entity entirely separate from its owners.

S Corporation (S Corp): A tax designation for corporations (and sometimes LLCs) that meet specific IRS requirements.

Non-Profit (501(c)(3): A federal tax-exempt status from the IRS designated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or literary purposes.

Entity Formation: Most businesses (LLCs, Corporations, Partnerships) must register with the Secretary of State in the state where they conduct business.

Registered Agent: You must appoint a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official tax documents on behalf of the business.

DBA (Doing Business As): If you operate under a name different from your legal name (for sole props) or your official entity name, you may need to register a "trade name" or DBA at the state or local level. 

Governing Documents: Create an Operating Agreement (for LLCs) or Bylaws (for Corporations) to define internal management rules.

Business Bank Account: Open a separate business account using your EIN and registration documents to keep personal and business finances separate, which is critical for maintaining liability protection. 

Federal EIN: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This "social security number for businesses" is required for hiring employees, opening bank accounts, and filing taxes.

Operating Licenses: Depending on your industry and location, you may need local business licenses or specialized state permits (e.g., health permits for food, professional licenses for law/medicine).

Zoning: Ensure your business location is compliant with local zoning laws before signing a lease or starting operations. 

State Tax Accounts: Register with your state’s Department of Revenue for sales tax (if selling goods), income tax, and employer-related taxes like unemployment insurance. 

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI): Most small businesses are now required to file a report with the federal government (FinCEN) disclosing who truly owns or controls the company.

Real Estate Transactions: Starting March 1, 2026, certain professionals involved in non-financed (all-cash) residential real estate transfers to legal entities or trusts must report these transactions to FinCEN.

Internal and Professional Reporting (Corporations, LLCs, and employment)

Key federal Payroll Tax rates (Social security, Medicare, Additional Medicare Tax, FUTA

IFTA reporting

D.O.T. audits