One of the first decisions a potential business owner must make is what structure their venture should take. It is a crucial decision that requires a clear understanding of how things work and how much your choices will affect your business.
Below are some things that should be at the top of your mind as a soon-to-be business owner or if you are thinking of changing the current structure of your entity.
Liability
Do you want to be responsible for your business debts or other legal and financial obligations? If not, then you should consider incorporating your business. Since your business will be a separate legal entity, you will be legally protected from liability.
Taxes
The tax implication of your business structure is also a crucial consideration. With the necessary information, you can take advantage of tax benefits by having the proper business structure. It can help you save a fortune in taxes.
Ease of operations
Your business structure will also determine its operations. For instance, it is easier to run a solo venture than a company since the buck stops with you. However, running a corporation or a partnership is not as straightforward due to the stakeholders involved.
Financing
The structure of your business matters if you will need to raise money in the future. It may be hard to secure funding as a sole proprietor. It all comes down to the legal structure of your business. An investor may hesitate because a sole proprietorship has no shares to sell, unlike a limited company.
Get legal help when choosing your business structure
There is no perfect business structure. It all comes down to the unique needs and objectives of your business. Given the potential impact on your business, it helps to have legal guidance when choosing the most appropriate structure.