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Types of Corporations
GENERAL CORPORATION:
The
most common of all corporate structures is the General Corporation. The
General Corporation, like all other corporations, is a separate legal
entity that is owned by stockholders (shareholders, i.e. investors). A
General Corporation may have an unlimited number of stockholders. Due to
the legal nature of the corporation, stockholders are protected,
personally, up to the amount of their investment, from the creditors of
the corporation.
Advantages
Personal assets are
protected from business debt and
liability
Corporation is
perpetual (life extending beyond the
illness or death of the owners)
Insurance, travel, and retirement plan deductions are
TAX FREE benefits
The
ownership of the corporation is easily transferable
Ownership will not affect current management
Raising capital
through the sale of stocks and bonds is
simplified
Disadvantages
More Expensive to form
than proprietorship or partnerships
Legal formality
Must abide by state and
federal rules and regulations
CLOSE CORPORATION:
A Close
Corporation has a few minor differences as compared to General
Corporations. In most states where they are recognized, Close
Corporations are restricted as to the number of shareholders, usually
between 30 - 50. The shares of stock upon sale are to be offered to
existing shareholders first. Generally a Close Corporation is
particularly suited for the entrepreneur looking to run a "one-person"
corporation or for a small group of individuals who will all actively
participate in the operation of the business.
SUB CHAPTER S
CORPORATION:
S Corporations have the same basic
advantages of General or Close Corporations with a major distinction of
tax liability. Where as the previous corporation file and pay federal
taxes on profits of the corporation, the Sub-S Corporation eliminates
Federal Corporate Income Tax. The IRS allows all profits to "pass
through" all profits to the shareholders personal tax return.
Sub Chapter S Corp.
Restrictions
Can only be a domestic
corporation
Only one class of stock is permitted
No more
than 75 stock shareholders
Only individuals can be
stockholders
Each stockholder must be a citizen of the
US
Note: 95% of all corporations our company helps file are
Sub Chapter S.
Copyright,
1999 Incorporate USA,
Inc. |