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CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
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1995-05-18
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86 lines
WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATION?
By Dr. John E. Russell
One of the most important decisions one must make is, "What
type of business organization should I establish?" There are
basically three types of business organizations: (1) Sole
Proprietorship; (2) Partnership; and (3) Corporation. There are
advantages and disadvantages to each.
Sole Proprietorship
This is the easiest way to start. You are it. You decide
on the type of business, find a location, buy the appropriate
licenses, and start.
Some advantages are: (1) Low start-up cost; (2) Greatest
freedom from government regulation; (3) You are in direct
control; (4) Minimum working expense; (5) Tax advantage for a
small business; (6) You get all the profit.
Some disadvantages are: (1) You can lose most of your
personal assets; (2) If you die, the business dies; (3) It is
generally more difficult to raise capital.
Partnership
This is a business jointly owned by two or more people.All
expectations and understandings should be spelled out in detail
in writing in a legal document.
Some advantages are: (1) Easily set up; (2) Low start-up
cost; (3) More venture capital; (4) More wisdom in more people;
(5) Partners can keep the business going if you are disabled; (6)
Possible tax advantages and (7) Easier to raise capital.
Some disadvantages are (1) You can lose most of your
personal assets due to your or your partners' decisions; (2)
Disagreements among partners; (3) You can lose your friends if
they are your partners; (4) Hard to find suitable partners; (5)
It is difficult to raise additional capital.
Corporation
A corporation is a legal entity, in which you and others
share control. It is formed on the state level through the
Secretary of State's office.
Some advantages are: (1) Limited personal liability--you
generally cannot lose personal assets, only what you invest in
your corporation; (2) Specialized management; (3) Ownership is
transferrable; (4) Continuous existence at your death, since it
is a legal entity; (5) Possible tax advantages--corporate taxes
are usually lower than personal tax, but there can be problems in
dividends; (6) Easier to raise capital, generally; (7) You can
make policy decisions if you own at least 51 percent of the
stock.
Some disadvantages: (1) Most expensive to organize; (2)
Closely regulated by government; (3) Charter restrictions--you
can only do what you state in the charter; (4) Extensive record
keeping; (5) Double taxation--corporate taxes and dividend tax;
(6) Board of Directors control the corporation.
There are some advantages to the newer "S" corporation such
as being taxed as a sole proprietorship or partnership.
Additional Help
This is a simplified presentation, and you should see a
lawyer for legal advice. This article is given as information
only and not as legal advice.
The Small Business Administration offers help for those just
starting in business. SCORE is a low-cost seminar offered
through the SBA by retired business owners. Many questions can
be answered through the SBA's toll-free number: 1-800-8 ASK SBA.
Keep in mind that the SBA wants to help you succeed, but the that
the government also has its own agenda.
If you are planning on starting a home business, please read
John Wright's book, HOW TO START AND OPERATE YOUR OWN PROFITABLE
BUSINESS AT HOME. See the "How to Order" chapter of this booklet
to order the shareware version.
END