I'm getting ready to register my business name, and was told by a business owner that I should register it under S Corp. I went on the website to register, and couldn't find this type. What did you all register your business under? There are so many different types, and it's so confusing! I want to do it right!

Hey Jen...im not an expert on this by any means, but here are a few websites that might help you:

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOSApps/SOS/FormRefbs.aspx#domFor

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98263,00.html

I believe the easiest way to go about your business right now would be a sole proprietorship......if you chose to become a corporation, then I believe you must have trustees, take minutes, etc...plus the cost of obtaining the forms.

I hope this helps

I spent most of my decorating life as a Sole Proprietor and just recently became an LLC because we have more than one venture going now. A friend of mine did her own paperwork to become an LLC, but I had my attorney do it for me.

Martha Stewart said in one of her books that if you think you are saving money by not getting an attorney at the start, you will pay for it at the end. I figured she's a billionaire, so she must know something I don't!

Thanks GE...I've looked at the wesite that has all of the fees listed many many times. This is all so confusing. I was thinking self proprietorship, but I have no idea. There is so much involved in this...anyone know if you can use a name without being registered? haha! In Ohio, I don't have to be licensed, but I thought it would be a registered busines so no one steals my name, and for tax purposes.

My brother and I just had this conversation last night. I told him I was going to register as a sole proprieter, and he said I might want to look into S corporation or something else, because if something happens and you get sued, they can take your personal property. He is going to call me back today with the other options that would be good for me, he also said if you register as sole proprieter, and then want to change, it is not that easy.

After I talk to my brother later today. I will try and post the info he gives me.

I am a sole proprietorship. But I carry $2 million in liability insurance incase of a lawsuit. Eventually I will become an LLC, but my Godfather, an attorney and judge, told me that starting as a SP is how most business get oing. long as you have a liscence required by your state/county/city you can purchase insurance.

Hey jen
A different route to go might be a limited liability company....you are still protected but its not nearly as difficult to set up and run as a corporation is. Plus, it does not require that you take minutes, etc.

I hope I'm helping and not confusing more!

Also, as an SP your business taxes are figured up and attached to your personal income taxes. Just to answer your question.

we registered the name as an LLC limited liability company that way in case sued, they can't take any personal property..

here in ga..you register name, get tax id..apply for homestead license(we are in process of doing)

with tax id appl. you can put down sole propr, corp., llc etc.. we put llc

i was an s corp for the first couple years...i wasn't a big fan of paperwork...

so now i'm a sole prop.

In NC most people start as a Sole Proprietor, especially if you are a home-based business, then as the business grows, you can change to an LLC or S Corp.
Just my 2 cents worth. . .
Leslie

I filed as an LLC specifically for the ability to keep the company money and my personal money seperate. With sue happy people running around we wanted tomake sure our home and retirement was not in danger.

Good Luck

Julia