Business Legal Structure - Main Page

These are links, websites, and information sources that can help new and existing small businesses decide what form of legal structure is best for their business both as an individual and as a going concern.

Published By: Knowledgeman
Published: 2008-06-09
Revised: 2009-10-14

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Business Legal Structures

Summary Information
Quick Summary of Business Legal Structures (QuickMBA)
Choosing the Best Ownership Structure for Your Business (Nolo)
How Business Legal Structures Work (Howstuffworks)
Business Legal Organizational Structures (About.com)
PASBDC Business Legal Structures FAQ
Pennsylvania Department of State Corporation Bureau
A Guide To Business Registration In Pennsylvania (DOS Corporation Bureau)
DOS Corporation Bureau Filing Guidelines
Corporations And Unincorporated Associations (Title 15)
A Guide To Forming Your Business (bizfilings.com)
Google Search: business legal structure

Sole Proprietorship
Defined (wikipedia)
Sole Proprietorship Basics (Nolo)
Sole Proprietorship (PAOpen4Business)
Sole Proprietorship (IRS)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +"Sole Proprietorship"

General Partnership
Defined (wikipedia)
General Partnership Basics (Nolo)
Partnership Agreement Sample (Small Business Notes)
Partnership Agreement Books (Amazon.com)
General Partnership (PAOpen4Business)
General Partnership (IRS)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +"general partnerships"
Google Search: partnership agreement
Google Search: Steps To Draft A Partnership Agreement

Limited Partnership
Defined (wikipedia)
Limited Partnership (Nolo)
Limited Partnership (PAOpen4Business)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +"limited partnership"

Limited Liability Partnership
Defined (wikipedia)
Limited Liability Partnership (DOS)
Limited Liability Partnership (PAOpen4Business)
Limited Liability Partnership (BusinessOwnersToolKit)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +"limited liability partnership"

C-Corporation
Defined (wikipedia)
C-Corporation (DOS)
C-Corporation (PAOpen4Business)
C-Corporation (IRS)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +"C-Corporation"

S-Corporation
Defined (wikipedia)
S-Corporation (DOS)
S-Corporation (PAOpen4Business)
S-Corporation (IRS)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +"S-Corporation"

Non-Profit Corporations
Defined (wikipedia)
Non-Profit Corporations FAQ (Nolo)
Non-Profit Corporations Basics (Nolo)
Non-Profit Corporation (WorldLawDirect)
Tax Information for Charitable Organizations (IRS)
Tax Information for Charities & Other Non-Profits (IRS)
Starting Non-Profit Corporation In PA (Hurwit & Associates)
Corporation Bureau Articles of Incorporation-Nonprofit (15 Pa. C. S.) (DOS)
Docketing Statement (DSCB:15-134A) (DOS)
Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) (IRS)
Google Search: +pennsylvania +forming +"non-profit Corporation"

Professional Associations
Google Search: +forming +"professional association"

Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Defined (wikipedia)
How to Form a Limited Liability Company (Nolo)
Pennsylvania LLC Formation (CompaniesIncorporated)
LLC Explained (IRS)
Publication 3402, Tax Issues for Limited Liability Companies (IRS)
Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS) Limited Liability Company
A Step by Step Guide to Forming a Limited Liability Company in Pennsylvania (PSU)
Google Search: "limited liability company" +pennsylvania

Business Trusts
Google Search: +forming +"business trusts"

Professional Corporations
Defined (wikipedia)
Google Search: +forming +"professional corporation"

Other Articles and Information
Tax Considerations for Business Legal Structures