What is a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?

A limited liability company (LLC) is a form of business entity that is separate and distinct from a person, like a corporation. The LLC is often described as hybrid between a corporation and a partnership (or sole proprietorship). It allows for the limited liability protection similar to that of a corporation (i.e. your risk is limited to the amount that is invested in the LLC, and personal assets beyond that are usually protected). It also allows for a more flexible setup and operating structure than a corporation while providing the pass through taxation of a partnership (if a multimember LLC) or a sole proprietorship (if a single member LLC). One of the main advantages of an LLC over a Partnership or a Sole Proprietorship is the Limited Liability protection.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

• Independent legal structures separate from their owners
• Help separate your personal assets from your business debts
• Taxed similarly to a sole proprietorship (if one owner) or a partnership (if multiple owners)
• No limit to the number of owners
• Governed by operating agreements

The LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the newest form of business entity, and it is rapidly becoming one of the most popular ways for new and small businesses to operate. It is often described as a hybrid between a corporation and a partnership.

It limits personal liability, like a corporation, while providing a simpler and more flexible structure than most other forms of business. A single member LLC is taxed on the federal level the same as a sole proprietor or Sub-S Corporation, while a multimember LLC is taxed on the federal level the same as a partnership or Sub-S Corporation. Since a huge number of small businesses are sole proprietorships and partnerships, an LLC is frequently an excellent choice for these types of businesses. It retains most of the benefits of a sole proprietorship or partnership with the added benefit of limited liability.