Professional Business Planning Resources
Choose the right structure and protect your business
| Structure | Liability | Taxation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship | ❌ Unlimited | Pass-through | Side hustles, very small businesses |
| LLC | ✅ Limited | Pass-through | Most small to medium businesses |
| S-Corporation | ✅ Limited | Pass-through | Profitable small businesses |
| C-Corporation | ✅ Limited | Corporate + Personal | High-growth startups, VC-funded |
Formation: $100-800
Annual fees: $0-500
Best for: Most businesses
Protects: Brand names, logos, slogans
Duration: 10 years (renewable)
Cost: $250-3,000
When: File as soon as you have a brand
Protects: Original content, software, designs
Duration: Life + 70 years
Cost: $35-1,500
When: Automatic, but register for enforcement
Protects: Inventions, processes
Duration: 20 years
Cost: $5,000-15,000+
When: Before public disclosure