Limited Liability Companies For Dummies, 3rd Edition
Description
Become a savvy entrepreneur with your own LLC
Limited Liability Companies For Dummies, 3rd Edition offers a clear, concise guide that explains the pros and cons of LLCs, and shares insider tips on everything from choosing your members and your company name to creating and filing your Articles of Organization and managing day-to-day operations. You''ll find the most current, real-world advice on customizing an LLC for your specific business needs, creating a great operating agreement, keeping accurate records, and new information on federal regulations and fees that are applicable to LLCs, as well as a link to online tools, forms, and documents
Most of the previous drawbacks to forming an LLC have all but disappeared with the IRS having loosened restrictions and individual states following suit. Because LLCs are now more flexible, they remain an attractive option for those launching a new business or reorganizing an existing business. This book shows how to form and tap into the power of an LLC:
- Keep up on the latest information on federal taxes, regulations, and fees
- Discover the advances in technology, including online tools that streamline the processes
- Get up-to-the minute documents and forms on new filing requirements
- Learn how to set-up a real estate LLC or an LLC among family members
P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, youÂre probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Limited Liability Companies For Dummies (9781118852989). The book you see here shouldnÂt be considered a new or updated product. But if youÂre in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. WeÂre always writing about new topics!
Table of contents
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Foolish Assumptions 2
Icons Used in This Book 3
Beyond the Book 4
Where to Go from Here 4
Part 1: The ABCs of LLCs 7
Chapter 1: What is an LLC, Really? 9
Understanding How LLCs Work 10
Owners: You gotta have ’em 11
Contributions: Where the money comes from 12
Allocations and distributions: Getting what you’re due 13
Management: Some folks are just better at it 14
Creating Your Own LLC: Your First Step Toward Success 15
Educating yourself 16
Divvying up the ownership 16
Deciding who manages 17
Choosing your registered agent 18
Bringing your LLC into existence 19
Operating Your LLC 19
Creating your operating agreement 20
Keeping books and records 20
Paying taxes 21
Chapter 2: LLCs: More Handy Than Duct Tape! 23
Understanding Why LLCs are Awesome 24
Protecting your personal assets 24
Taking charge of charging order protection 26
Enjoying the flexibility of management and ownership rules 28
Choosing your own tax status 30
Distributing profits at your whim 31
Taking a Look at a Few Wrinkles 32
Membership can be a bit tricky 32
Rules governing LLCs vary among states 33
Discovering the LLC’s Many Variations 34
The professional LLC 34
The series LLC 38
The family LLC 42
The low-profit LLC 42
The single-member LLC 44
Chapter 3: Determining Whether an LLC is Right for You 45
Knowing Your Options: Other Business Structures 46
Going it alone: Sole proprietorships 46
Adding a partner: General partnerships 49
Throwing in a little legal prot