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Business FAQ · 300 questions
FAQ · Index

Business formation, compliance & operations FAQ

300 questions covering LLC formation, compliance, tax, international founders, pricing, operations, marketing, and advanced startup topics. Each answer is direct, factual, and cited where applicable.

Formation (50)

How do I form an LLC?Formation How long does it take to form an LLC?Formation What is an LLC?Formation What is a corporation?Formation What is the difference between an LLC and a corporation?Formation What is the difference between an LLC and an S-Corp?Formation Can an LLC have employees?Formation Can an LLC have one member?Formation Which states do not tax LLC income?Formation What is the best state to form an LLC?Formation Can I be my own registered agent?Formation What are Articles of Organization?Formation Do I need an operating agreement for my LLC?Formation What does 'pierce the corporate veil' mean?Formation How many LLCs can I have?Formation Can an LLC own another LLC?Formation What is an anonymous LLC?Formation What is a Series LLC?Formation What is a PLLC?Formation What is a Benefit Corporation?Formation What is a Close Corporation?Formation What is a holding company?Formation Do I need to form an LLC before starting my business?Formation What is a DBA?Formation DBA vs LLC: which do I need?Formation What is foreign qualification?Formation How do I name my LLC?Formation How do I check LLC name availability?Formation How do I reserve an LLC name?Formation What is an LLC member?Formation Can LLC members be foreign (non-US) persons?Formation What is a manager-managed LLC?Formation Can an LLC be taxed as a corporation?Formation How do I add a member to my LLC?Formation How do I dissolve an LLC?Formation What is an LLC resolution?Formation How do I amend my LLC's Articles of Organization?Formation Can I change my LLC's name?Formation When should I form an LLC?Formation What does 'good standing' mean for an LLC?Formation How do I get a Certificate of Good Standing?Formation What is LLC tax classification?Formation What is self-employment tax?Formation What is pass-through taxation?Formation Can an LLC issue stock?Formation What is an 83(b) election?Formation What is a 409A valuation?Formation What is a cap table?Formation When do I need to file a BOI report?Formation Is BOI reporting free?Formation

Compliance (50)

What is an annual report?Compliance When is my annual report due?Compliance What happens if I miss my annual report deadline?Compliance How do I file an annual report?Compliance What is sales tax nexus?Compliance When do I need a sales tax permit?Compliance What are quarterly estimated taxes?Compliance What is Form 1120?Compliance What is Form 1120-S?Compliance What is Form 1065?Compliance What is a Schedule K-1?Compliance What is Schedule C?Compliance C-Corp vs S-Corp: what is the difference?Compliance Can an LLC be an S-Corp?Compliance How do I elect S-Corp status?Compliance When should I elect S-Corp status?Compliance What is reasonable salary for S-Corp owners?Compliance What is double taxation?Compliance What is a pass-through entity?Compliance How much tax does an LLC pay?Compliance What is a franchise tax?Compliance What is an EIN?Compliance How do I get an EIN?Compliance Can I get an EIN without an SSN?Compliance What is an ITIN?Compliance What is IRS Form 2553?Compliance What is IRS Form 8832?Compliance What is Form 1040?Compliance What business deductions can an LLC take?Compliance Can I deduct a home office for my LLC?Compliance Can I deduct business meals?Compliance Can I deduct vehicle expenses for my business?Compliance Can I deduct LLC startup costs?Compliance What is BOI reporting?Compliance Who is a beneficial owner for BOI?Compliance What information is needed for BOI?Compliance How do I file a BOI report?Compliance What is the penalty for not filing BOI?Compliance Are sole proprietorships required to file BOI?Compliance Are nonprofits exempt from BOI?Compliance How long do I have to file BOI for a new LLC?Compliance What is a registered agent?Compliance Do I need a registered agent?Compliance Can my registered agent be out of state?Compliance How much does a registered agent cost?Compliance What is a compliance calendar?Compliance What is administrative dissolution?Compliance How do I reinstate a dissolved LLC?Compliance When is the corporate tax return due?Compliance Can I extend my business tax return?Compliance

International (49)

Can a foreigner form a US LLC?International What is the best state for foreign founders to form an LLC?International Can a foreigner get an EIN without an SSN?International Can a foreigner open a US business bank account?International Do foreign-owned LLCs pay US tax?International What is IRS Form 5472?International What is effectively connected income (ECI)?International What is IRS Form 1042?International What is Form W-8BEN?International What is Form W-8BEN-E?International What is a tax treaty?International How do I claim tax treaty benefits?International Can a foreigner be the LLC's registered agent?International Do I need an ITIN to form an LLC?International How do I get an ITIN?International Can a foreigner have a US Stripe account?International Do I need a virtual office for my US LLC?International Can a foreigner receive payments to their US LLC?International Do I need a US address to form an LLC?International Can a foreign-owned LLC hire US employees?International Who is eligible to form a US LLC?International C-Corp vs LLC for foreign founders: which is better?International Can I form a US LLC without a US visa?International Can I be an LLC member while on a tourist visa?International Can a foreign-owned LLC build US business credit?International What tax filings does a foreign-owned LLC owe annually?International Can a foreign founder use their personal bank account for the US LLC?International What are the 8 steps to form a US LLC as a non-US founder?International How long does it take a non-US founder to form a US LLC?International Can a foreign-owned LLC do business in the US?International Does a foreign-owned LLC need a US employee?International Can I pay myself from my US LLC as a foreigner?International Is US tax withheld on distributions to foreign LLC owners?International Can a foreign investor invest in a US LLC?International Why did the US bank reject my foreign-owned LLC?International Does Stripe work for a foreign-owned US LLC?International Does PayPal work for a foreign-owned US LLC?International Do foreign-owned LLCs pay state income tax?International Can I form a US LLC from any country?International Do I need a US phone number for my US LLC?International Does a foreign-owned LLC owe US sales tax?International Can a foreign-owned US LLC get a business loan?International Delaware vs Wyoming for foreign founders: which is better?International Can a foreign owner of a US LLC deduct a home office in their home country?International Does a foreign LLC owner pay US FICA (Social Security/Medicare)?International How do I close a foreign-owned US LLC?International How do I open a Mercury bank account for my foreign-owned US LLC?International Why was my Stripe application rejected for my US LLC?International Can a US LLC have members from multiple countries?International

Pricing (45)

How much does it cost to start an LLC?Pricing What is the cheapest state to form an LLC?Pricing What is the most expensive state to form an LLC?Pricing What is the annual cost of an LLC?Pricing How much does LegalZoom charge for LLC formation?Pricing How much does ZenBusiness charge?Pricing How much does Northwest Registered Agent charge?Pricing How much does Bizee (Incfile) charge?Pricing How much does Stripe Atlas charge?Pricing How much does Doola charge?Pricing How much does Rocket Lawyer charge?Pricing How much does Tailor Brands charge?Pricing How much does File.Business charge?Pricing How does File.Business pricing compare to competitors?Pricing What is included in LLC formation?Pricing Are there hidden fees with File.Business?Pricing Do I need to pay the state filing fee?Pricing Can LLC formation be free?Pricing What is expedited filing and how much does it cost?Pricing Do I need to pay for an EIN?Pricing How much does a trademark cost?Pricing How much does BOI reporting cost?Pricing How much does an annual report cost?Pricing How much does foreign qualification cost?Pricing How much does S-Corp election cost?Pricing How much does it cost to dissolve an LLC?Pricing How much does an LLC amendment cost?Pricing How much does registered agent renewal cost?Pricing Can I cancel my LLC formation service?Pricing Is there a refund policy for File.Business?Pricing What is the cheapest business structure?Pricing How much does it cost to form a corporation?Pricing How much does it cost to form a nonprofit?Pricing How much does an operating agreement cost?Pricing How much do attorneys charge for LLC formation?Pricing Can I form an LLC myself without paying anyone?Pricing Is it worth using an LLC formation service?Pricing What are the hidden costs of running an LLC?Pricing How much does an LLC cost in California?Pricing How much does an LLC cost in Delaware?Pricing How much does an LLC cost in Wyoming?Pricing How much does an LLC cost in Texas?Pricing How much does an LLC cost in Florida?Pricing How much does an LLC cost in New York?Pricing How can I save money on LLC fees?Pricing

Operations (50)

How do I open a business bank account?Operations What banks are best for LLCs?Operations Can an LLC have multiple bank accounts?Operations How do I pay myself from my LLC?Operations What is an owner draw?Operations How do I handle accounting for my LLC?Operations When do I need an accountant?Operations How do I handle payroll for my LLC?Operations How much payroll tax do I pay?Operations When do I pay payroll tax?Operations Can an LLC hire 1099 contractors?Operations 1099 vs W-2: what is the difference?Operations What insurance does my LLC need?Operations Do I need business insurance for my LLC?Operations What is general liability insurance?Operations What is E&O (Errors & Omissions) insurance?Operations Do I need workers compensation insurance?Operations Can my LLC deduct health insurance?Operations When do I need a business license?Operations What is an occupational license?Operations How do I research what business licenses I need?Operations What is a resale certificate?Operations When do I need a resale certificate?Operations What does 'doing business as' (DBA) mean?Operations How do I protect my intellectual property?Operations What is an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)?Operations When should I use an NDA?Operations Is an operating agreement legally required?Operations What should an LLC operating agreement include?Operations Can I add a member without an operating agreement?Operations How do I track business expenses?Operations What records does an LLC need to keep?Operations How long do I need to keep business records?Operations Can I run my LLC from home?Operations Can my US LLC have a foreign bank account?Operations What does it mean to pierce the corporate veil?Operations How do I avoid piercing the corporate veil?Operations Can an LLC be sued?Operations What is a buy-sell agreement?Operations When do I need a buy-sell agreement?Operations How do I handle conflicts between LLC members?Operations What is a pro rata distribution?Operations Can an LLC have different classes of membership?Operations What happens to an LLC in a divorce?Operations Can I have a business website without forming an LLC?Operations How do my handle customer disputes for my LLC?Operations When do I need a business attorney?Operations How do I find a good business attorney?Operations What questions should I ask a business attorney?Operations When should I incorporate as a C-Corp instead of LLC?Operations

Marketing (47)

How do I pick a good business name?Marketing How do I trademark my business name?Marketing Can I trademark my business name and logo separately?Marketing How much does a federal trademark cost?Marketing How long does a trademark application take?Marketing What is a trademark specimen?Marketing What is the difference between trademark, copyright, and patent?Marketing How do I register a copyright?Marketing What is fair use under copyright?Marketing How do I protect trade secrets?Marketing What is work for hire?Marketing Do I need a federal trademark for my LLC name?Marketing How do I pick a good domain name?Marketing Should I use 'LLC' in my domain name?Marketing How much does a business website cost?Marketing Do I need business cards for my LLC?Marketing What is brand identity?Marketing How do I build a brand identity for my LLC?Marketing What is the logo design process?Marketing When should I rebrand my business?Marketing How do I handle customer reviews for my business?Marketing What is business credit?Marketing How do I build business credit?Marketing What is a business credit score?Marketing How do I get a business loan?Marketing What is an SBA loan?Marketing How do I write a business plan?Marketing What are financial projections?Marketing How much funding does my business need?Marketing When should I raise venture capital?Marketing What is a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)?Marketing What is a convertible note?Marketing What is a priced equity round?Marketing How do I pitch investors?Marketing What is a cap table?Marketing How do I manage my cap table?Marketing What is a vesting schedule?Marketing What is an 83(b) election?Marketing When should I form a corporation instead of an LLC?Marketing Can I convert my LLC to a corporation?Marketing When should I use a holding company structure?Marketing What is a Series A funding round?Marketing How do I find investors for my startup?Marketing What is due diligence in startup funding?Marketing When should I sell my business?Marketing How do I prepare my LLC for sale?Marketing How do I value my business?Marketing
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