#business-structure
Business Structure
Choose and optimize your business entity for tax and legal advantages
What Tax Rate Do Small Businesses Actually Pay? A 2026 Guide by Entity Type
There is no single small business tax rate. Federal effective rates typically run 12–24% for pass-throughs and a flat 21% for C corps, with self-employment tax, the QBI deduction, and entity choice each shifting the bill by thousands per year.
The US Tax Code Explained: A Practical Guide for Small Business Owners
A structural breakdown of Title 26—the Internal Revenue Code—covering how the tax code is organized, the 2026 changes most relevant to small businesses (permanent 100% bonus depreciation, a $2.5M Section 179 cap, expanded QBI), and the records you need to defend every deduction you claim.
Corporate Transparency Act in 2026: What Small Business Owners Actually Need to Know
In March 2025, FinCEN's interim final rule removed roughly 99.8% of U.S. entities from Corporate Transparency Act reporting. Domestic LLCs and corporations no longer file BOI reports, but foreign-registered companies, state-level disclosure laws, and bank due diligence still demand clean beneficial ownership records.
Single Member LLC: Formation, Taxes, and Liability Protection in 2026
A single member LLC is taxed as a disregarded entity by default but creates the legal separation a sole proprietorship lacks. This guide covers formation steps, the three tax election paths (Schedule C, S-corp via Form 2553, C-corp via Form 8832), and the bookkeeping discipline needed to preserve the liability shield.
From Sole Proprietor to S Corp: When the Switch Pays Off (and When It Backfires)
A sole proprietor netting $100,000 pays roughly $14,130 in self-employment tax that an S corp owner can legally avoid. This guide explains the break-even math, Form 2553 deadlines, reasonable compensation audit triggers, and the annual compliance costs that decide whether the switch actually saves money.
Tax ID Numbers Explained: EIN, SSN, and ITIN for Small Business Owners
A plain-English guide to the three tax ID numbers most small business owners meet — EIN, SSN, and ITIN — covering who needs which, how to apply directly with the IRS for free, and the common mistakes that trigger penalties or delays.
Tax Implications for Foreign-Owned US Businesses: A 2026 Compliance Guide
Foreign-owned US LLCs face a $25,000 Form 5472 penalty per missed filing, 30% default withholding on US-source income, and tighter 2026 BOI rules. This guide covers the entity choices, forms, treaty benefits, and bookkeeping habits non-resident owners need to stay compliant.
What Is Franchise Tax? A State-by-State Guide for Business Owners
Franchise tax is a state privilege tax owed regardless of profit. Sixteen states plus D.C. charge it, with rates from a flat $300 in Delaware to $800 minimums in California and a 0.75% margin tax in Texas.
Delaware Business Taxes: A Complete Guide for Incorporated Companies
A practical breakdown of Delaware's business tax obligations—franchise tax, corporate income tax, gross receipts tax, and LLC annual fees—with calculation methods, filing deadlines, and entity-by-entity comparisons for founders and business owners.
Form 8832 Entity Classification Election: Complete Guide for LLCs
Form 8832 lets LLCs override their default IRS tax classification—single-member (disregarded entity) or multi-member (partnership)—to elect C corporation treatment at the 21% flat rate, with a 60-month lock-in and a 75-day retroactive filing window.
Income Tax Liability: What It Is, How to Calculate It, and How to Reduce It
A practical guide to calculating income tax liability for sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, and C-corps—covering 2026 tax law changes including the 23% QBI deduction and 100% bonus depreciation, plus 7 strategies to legally reduce what you owe.
New York State Business Taxes: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
New York businesses may owe taxes to three entities simultaneously—state, city, and the MCTD. Covers corporation franchise tax rates, LLC filing fees, NYC GCT and UBT, MCTMT thresholds, quarterly estimated payment deadlines, and key credits for NY small business owners.