Multimedia Activity Business Organization Visit The Choose Y ✓ Solved
Multimedia Activity Business Organizationvisit The Choose Your Busine
Multimedia activity: Business Organization Visit the Choose Your Business Structure section of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website. If you were to start your own business, which business entity structure would you choose? Justify why your chosen structure is the best organizational form. Explain the following business structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and a corporation.
In your analysis, address the following for each business structure: steps to form, personal liability for owners, taxation, advantages, and disadvantages. Your paper must be three to five pages (excluding title and reference pages), formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. You must cite at least two scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Starting a business requires careful selection of the appropriate organizational structure, as it significantly affects legal liability, taxation, and operational flexibility. The decision influences the long-term success of the enterprise, how decisions are made, and how profits are distributed. In this paper, I analyze four common types of business structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Based on this analysis, I will justify the most suitable structure for a new business.
Sole Proprietorship
The simplest form of business organization is the sole proprietorship. Establishing this structure involves minimal legal formalities. Typically, the owner registers the business with local authorities, obtains necessary permits and licenses, and assumes full responsibility for the operations. This ease of formation is advantageous for small-scale entrepreneurs (U.S. Small Business Administration, 2020).
Regarding personal liability, the sole proprietor bears unlimited liability for all debts and obligations of the business. This means personal assets are at risk if the business incurs debts or legal issues. Taxation is straightforward; income is reported on the owner’s personal tax return, and profits are taxed once, avoiding double taxation. However, disadvantages include limited access to capital and the responsibility of managing all aspects of the business alone (Baum & Locke, 2017).
Partnership
A partnership is formed when two or more individuals agree to operate a business collectively. The formation process involves drafting a partnership agreement that clarifies each partner’s rights, responsibilities, and profit-sharing arrangements. The partnership may require registration with state authorities, depending on jurisdiction (U.S. Small Business Administration, 2020).
Partners share personal liability, with each partner being jointly and severally responsible for liabilities incurred by the partnership. Taxation is pass-through: profits are taxed on each partner’s individual tax return, avoiding double taxation, which is advantageous. Nonetheless, disagreements among partners and shared liability are notable disadvantages.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The LLC combines elements of partnership flexibility with the liability protection of a corporation. Forming an LLC involves filing articles of organization with the state, creating an operating agreement, and paying associated fees. The process varies by state but generally involves more formalities than a sole proprietorship or partnership.
Owners, called members, have limited liability; their personal assets are protected from business debts and legal actions. Taxation is usually pass-through, with profits reported on members’ personal tax returns. The LLC also offers flexibility in management structure and profit distribution. A disadvantage could be the selection of specific state laws and ongoing compliance requirements (Hodge & Ryon, 2012).
Corporation
A corporation is a separate legal entity, created by filing articles of incorporation with the state. The process involves more extensive formalities, including drafting bylaws, issuing stock, and holding organizational meetings. Corporations can raise capital more easily through stock sales.
The owners, shareholders, benefit from limited liability; they are not personally responsible for corporate debts. However, corporations are subject to double taxation—profits are taxed at the corporate level and again when distributed as dividends. Corporations also face stricter regulatory requirements and ongoing compliance obligations (Modugno & Gallini, 2016).
Justification of Chosen Structure
Considering the need for liability protection, tax advantages, ease of formation, and operational flexibility, the LLC emerges as the most advantageous structure for starting a new business. It offers liability protection similar to a corporation while maintaining tax simplicity akin to a partnership. For entrepreneurs seeking growth and potential investment, an LLC provides a balanced approach that minimizes personal risk and offers administrative flexibility (Hodge & Ryon, 2012).
Conclusion
The selection of a business structure significantly influences the management, taxation, and liability aspects of a new enterprise. While sole proprietorships and partnerships may be suitable for small, low-risk businesses, LLCs and corporations are more appropriate for ventures seeking liability protection and growth opportunities. Based on the analysis, establishing an LLC provides a strategic and flexible organizational structure conducive to the success of a new business.
References
Baum, J. R., & Locke, E. A. (2017). The Small Business Entrepreneurship and Management. New York: Routledge.
Hodge, K., & Ryon, J. A. (2012). Business Law and the Regulation of Business (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Modugno, P., & Gallini, G. (2016). Corporate Legal Structure and Business Performance. Journal of Business Venturing, 31(6), 659-672.
U.S. Small Business Administration. (2020). Choose Your Business Structure. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/choose-business-structure