Everyone who earns money from business activities should determine whether they would benefit from forming a legal entity, and if yes, what type of legal entity is best for their individual use-case.

When and why to form a corporate entity

There are a couple of key issues that might play into a decision to form a corporate entity:

• Liability protection - When your activities have received significant traction or you are launching a new initiative, there is always a chance that things might go wrong. Incorporating can sometimes protect you from personal liability.
• Protecting intellectual property - When multiple people are involved in the creation of the venture, you'll want to make sure that the intellectual property is assigned to a corporate entity. Otherwise, things might get tricky when someone leaves.
• Hiring - When you bring onboard employees or contractors, you'll want to make sure that it is the company, and not you personally, who enters into an agreement with them.
• Fundraising - If you intend to rely in part on capital from outside sources (investors), you'll need a legal entity to open a bank account and accept the investment.

Choosing the right corporate form

There are many entity types you can choose from, and each has its own purpose and advantages. Not every entity type is available in every state, but the choice between each type  largely comes down to just a few key questions.

Flow Chart

Registering Your Business

Once you’ve determined that you should create a corporate entity and chosen a corporate form, you will want to take the necessary steps to register. Registering your business to make it a distinct legal entity. How and where you need to register depends on the business structure you choose and the business location. For most small businesses, registering your business is as simple as registering your business name with state and local governments. In some cases, you don’t need to register at all. But while you may not need to register If you conduct business as yourself using your legal name, you could miss out on personal liability protection, legal benefits, and tax benefits.

Most businesses don't need to register with the federal government to become a legal entity, other than simply filing to get a federal tax ID. Small businesses sometimes register with the federal government for trademark protection or tax exempt status.

If you want to trademark your business, brand or product name, file with the United States Patent and Trademark office once you’ve formed your business.

If you want tax-exempt status for a nonprofit corporation, register your business as a tax-exempt entity with the IRS. To create an S corp, you’ll need to file form 2553 with the IRS.

If your business is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or nonprofit corporation, you'll probably need to register with any state where you conduct business activities. You’ll also need a registered agent in your state before you file. A registered agent receives official papers and legal documents on behalf of your company, and many business owners prefer to use a registered agent service rather than do this role themselves. Some states allow you to register online, and some states make you file paper documents in person or through the mail. Most states require you to register with the Secretary of State’s office, a Business Bureau, or a Business Agency.

If your business is an LLC, corporation, partnership, or nonprofit corporation, you might need to file for licenses and permits from the county or city. Some counties and cities also require you to register your DBA, a trade name or a fictitious name, if you use one. Local governments determine registration, licensing, and permitting requirements, so visit local government websites to find out what you need to do.

Get Federal and State Tax IDs

An employer identification number is like a social security number for your business. You’ll need it for important steps to start and grow your business, like opening a bank account and paying taxes. Some, but not all, states require you to get a tax ID as well.

Apply for licenses and permits

The licenses and permits you need for your business will vary by industry, state, location, and other factors. Keep your business running smoothly by staying legally compliant. Read our guide on licenses and permits you may need at both state and federal levels.

Open a business bank account

Open a business account when you're ready to start accepting or spending money as your business. You can open a business bank account once you've gotten your federal EIN. A business bank account helps you stay legally compliant and protected, and benefits your customers and employees. Common business accounts include a checking account, savings account, credit card account, and a merchant services account. Merchant services accounts allow you to accept credit and debit card transactions from your customers.

Find an account with low fees and good benefits. Rates, fees, and options vary from bank to bank, so you should shop around to make sure you find the lowest fees and the best benefits. When shopping around, consider introductory offers, interest rates for both savings and checking accounts, interest rates for lines of credit, transaction fees, early termination fees, and minimum account balance fees. When choosing a merchant services account, take into consideration the discount rate, transaction fees, Address Verification Service (AVS) fees, ACH daily batch fees, and monthly minimum fees.

Payment processing companies are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional merchant services accounts, and sometimes provide extra functionality, like accessories that let you use your phone to accept credit card payments.

Set Up Accounting System

Once you have your bank account set up, choose an accounting program to make sure your books are organized.