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Some Questions About Startup Business Finances - S Class Corp or Sole Proprietorship?

 
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kaylie

posts: 4

Feb 13, 2008 2:29 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I have been getting very serious about starting up a business, but there are a few questions I had regarding finances before choosing my business type.

I want my business to be an S Class corporation, but I cannot figure out how deductions work! If I seed the money into the business account through stock sales, everything for the business must be purchased through this account, and the corporation does not get taxed - does this mean that an S Class corporation cannot deduct business expenses? Since all taxes for profits and losses are done through the shareholders (since these are passed onto them), and no one shareholder can claim the expenses, where do the deductions go? Also, as an S Class corp, does anyone know what percentage of profits and losses are passed on, and what is kept in the corporations business account to continue business?

When working as a Sole Proprietorship business, the deductions seem easy enough. But then there is the issue of what happens if (rather, when -  I do eventually want to become an S Class corp to protect myself from lawsuits, even if I do not start out as one) I switch to S Class corp. Is it easy enough to switch it over, or does the hassle of doing so make it more convenient to just begin as one?
I would assume it is best to begin as an S Class corporation and avoid filing for changes with the IRS and my state. The only reason I am even thinking of starting as a Sole Proprietorship is that I want to begin my business right away, and it seems so easy to get started this way. Whereas, the corporation has many forms and many requirements to keep it safe during audits, and I want to take the time to be sure I complete everything correctly. There`s also the deductions confusion!

Thanks for any help you can provide me.

glgcpa

posts: 86

Feb 13, 2008 7:41 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I have been getting very serious about starting up a business, but there are a few questions I had regarding finances before choosing my business type.

I want my business to be an S Class corporation, but I cannot figure out how deductions work! If I seed the money into the business account through stock sales, everything for the business must be purchased through this account, and the corporation does not get taxed - does this mean that an S Class corporation cannot deduct business expenses? Since all taxes for profits and losses are done through the shareholders (since these are passed onto them), and no one shareholder can claim the expenses, where do the deductions go? Also, as an S Class corp, does anyone know what percentage of profits and losses are passed on, and what is kept in the corporations business account to continue business?

When working as a Sole Proprietorship business, the deductions seem easy enough. But then there is the issue of what happens if (rather, when -  I do eventually want to become an S Class corp to protect myself from lawsuits, even if I do not start out as one) I switch to S Class corp. Is it easy enough to switch it over, or does the hassle of doing so make it more convenient to just begin as one?
I would assume it is best to begin as an S Class corporation and avoid filing for changes with the IRS and my state. The only reason I am even thinking of starting as a Sole Proprietorship is that I want to begin my business right away, and it seems so easy to get started this way. Whereas, the corporation has many forms and many requirements to keep it safe during audits, and I want to take the time to be sure I complete everything correctly. There`s also the deductions confusion!

Thanks for any help you can provide me.


S-Corporations state what the allowable S-Corporation and Shareholder Deductions are and then they are carried over to your Individual return and, if deductible, deducted.  Most valid business expenses are deductible.  If you are a greater than 2% shareholder in your business then some fringe benefits are not deducted unless you add them to your wages.  All officers must take a "reasonable" salary in an S-Corporation.  The amount of money that is kept in ANY corporation is based on the needs of the corporation.

Converting from one type of entity to another is not that difficult as long as you`ve kept good records, which is required of every business.

Depending on the type of business and state you`re located in, it is usually best for new business owners to start as a sole proprietorship and purchase large quantities of liability insurance to protect themselves.  Then when your business is profitable enough to pay you a "reasonable salary" as required by an S-Corporation you convert at that time.

Best wishes,
Gina









-------------------------

Gina L. Gwozdz, CPA
http://GLGcpa.com
http://TaxTreasures.com
CFOtoGo

posts: 67

Feb 14, 2008 7:52 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I agree with Gina. Wait until your business is making money and can pay you a salary. I think too many new businesses rush into becoming a Corporation or LLC, before they need to. In the beginning it mostly ads a level of complexity that you don`t need.
kaylie

posts: 4

Feb 15, 2008 10:39 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Thank you both!
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