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Business Structures

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Business Advice
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Business Advice
Business Advice
Mr. Owner, you are off to an excellent start. It is pivotal for business owners to compare options to discover which business structure would be most suitable for their needs. Because you are undecided how to finance and whether you will have partners, I compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each business structure for your review.
Sole Proprietorship
If you decide that you want full control of the business, a sole proprietorship could be the best option. In this structure, you would be the decision maker; therefore, the way in which your business operates will be up to you. Additionally, since you are undecided about financing, you will be pleased to discover that a sole proprietorship is the least expensive option and has a very simple formation process (“Corporate Business Structures”, 2011). In reference to your question about taxes, a sole proprietorship does not have any specific business taxes; instead, as the own- er, you would pay taxes on your income as part of your personal income tax payments (“Advan- tages and Disadvantages of Sole Proprietorships”, 2007). Before you decide upon a sole propri- etorship, you should be aware of the negative aspects. Because there is no liability protection, you would be held personally liable for the business’s debts and any liabilities that result from your employee’s actions (“Advantages and Disadvantages of Sole Proprietorships”, 2007). Ad- ditionally, the business would dissolve in the event of your death (Hall, n.d.).
Partnerships
If you decide to have a partner, you might be wondering whether to pursue a general or limited partnership. Like a sole proprietorship, partnerships are easy to establish and the tax
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Business Advice process is similar; you and your partner(s) would file your income on your personal income tax returns (Hall,

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