A Small Business Owner Should Incorporate Their Business


Your small business is on a roll. You’ve got a healthy pipeline of customers. Everything is going smoothly – and you’re focused like a laser on your products, business model, marketing plan, and balance sheets.

But what about your business structure? Do you think you don’t need to incorporate a business?

Many small businesses, particularly solo workers, overlook forming a legal business structure. The common thinking is that forming an Inc. or LLC can make life more complex for the small business, and the benefits don’t always pay off.

incorporate a business

However, there are several reasons why a small business owner, even a solo contractor, should consider incorporating or forming an LLC. Here are some of the top reasons to think “Inc:”

Liability: Separate Your Personal and Business Assets

If your business does not have an official business structure, this means there’s no separation between your business and you. If you’re sued as a sole proprietor, you’re sued personally, putting all your personal assets at risk.

The LLC or Corporation (C Corporation or S Corporation) shield the business owner’s personal assets from the liability of the company. This means that once your business is incorporated (whether you form an LLC or Corporation), it now exists as its own business entity. As a result, the corporation or LLC is responsible for any of its debts and liabilities. This is often called the “corporate shield” as it protects the owner’s personal assets from the business.

I know that for most entrepreneurs, liability is farthest from your mind, unless of course, you’re a doctor or sky-diving operator. But, it’s hard to imagine that sitting behind a computer in your home office can put you at any real risk of a lawsuit. However, things can happen.

For example, if you’re a marketing contractor, an unreasonable client could sue you for breach of contract. If you make homemade soaps, a vendor may falsely label their products, causing you to unknowingly put the wrong ingredients in your ‘allergy free’ soap. Or a major client doesn’t pay you, making it hard for you to pay any of your own business contracts.

Certainly, those are all worst-case scenarios and there’s a slim chance you’ll ever run into legal problems. However, incorporating or forming an LLC can protect your personal assets from the worst-case scenario.

Tax Benefits

While liability protection is the main benefit for incorporating or forming an LLC, in some cases, corporate tax rates are lower than individual tax rates. And corporations and LLCs often qualify for additional tax benefits and deductions that aren’t available to individuals. Of course, specific circumstances vary, and you should consult with a CPA or tax advisor about your own particular tax situation.

Increased Credibility

You may find your sales grow after forming an LLC or incorporating, as adding an LLC or Inc. after your company name boosts your credibility in the eyes of some customers. In some industries, a formal business structure is required to win certain contracts. And when a contractor or freelancer has a formal business structure, a company that hires them will have the peace of mind that they are hiring an actual contractor and won’t have any trouble with the IRS for hiring a “full-time employee” as a contractor.

Better Access to Business Credit/Capital

Forming a corporation or LLC is the first step toward building your business credit. As a sole proprietor, you can only get a personal loan. And forming a C Corporation will be essential if you plan to seek Venture Capital funding.

Added Layer of Privacy

When you incorporate or form an LLC, there’s an added layer of privacy. In many cases, the registered agent of your corporation goes on record, and not your home or business address.

These benefits are all very important, even for the small, family-owned business. Having an Inc. or LLC after your company name isn’t just for large businesses with mazes of cubicles and a big payroll. Incorporating or forming an LLC can be one of the smartest steps you take for your business. Best of all, it’s far less time-consuming (and expensive) than it might seem.

Inc. Photo via Shutterstock

CorpNet offers business formations, filings, state tax registrations, and corporate compliance services in all 50 states. Express and 24 hour rush filing services available upon request. Click here to learn more.


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Nellie Akalp Nellie Akalp is a passionate entrepreneur, recognized business expert and mother of four. She is the CEO of CorpNet, the smartest way to start a business, register for payroll taxes, and maintain business compliance across the United States.

7 Reactions
  1. I can attest, forming an LLC for your business is basically all win. In my case, I formed a single-member LLC for a one-time expense of something like $150 plus $50/yr to maintain a Delaware registered agent. Because I’m a single member LLC and not an S-Corp, all revenue is “pass-through” and I still file only one tax form, but get the liability protection provided by the LLC designation. Maybe most importantly, because I’m just an SMLLC and not a S/C/B-Corp, I don’t have to pay myself a minimum wage salary (and pay taxes on that) which is great — maybe even essential — if you’re just getting started.

    • Thanks for the insight and congrats to you on getting your business legal and forming an LLC; I am glad that you are reaping the benefits and make sure you maintain your LLC into compliance on a yearly basis, and if you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out. – Nellie

  2. Hi Nellie,

    I’m so glad that I changed my franchise ownership consulting business from an LLC to an S-Corp.

    Doing so was one of the best business moves I’ve ever made.

    I didn’t use your 1st-class services–only because I didn’t know of you, I try to refer folks to you all the time through our affiliate relationship and even our non-affiliate relationship.

    I mention Corpnet to everyone I know who’s thinking of starting a business.

    The Franchise King®

  3. Great information. I think it’s important to get all small business to .inc. It’s a wise business move, regardless of the model and niche.

    Ti