Legal & registration
Make your business official
Plain-English guides to the legal side of launching: choosing a structure, registering your business, LLCs, EINs, DBAs, registered agents, licenses, and permits.
LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship: Which Is Right for Your New Business?
LLC vs sole proprietorship explained for first-time owners: compare liability, taxes, cost, and paperwork, plus a simple framework to choose with confidence.
8 min readHow to Register a Business: EIN, Licenses & Legal Setup Explained
A step-by-step guide to how to register a business in the US: choosing a structure, filing with your state, getting an EIN, DBAs, licenses, and sales tax.
8 min readHow to Get a Business License: A Practical Overview
How to get a business license in the US: federal, state, and local levels, industry permits, sales tax and home occupation permits, costs, and renewals.
8 min readWhat Is an LLC? A Plain-English Guide for New Owners
What is an LLC? A plain-English guide to limited liability companies: how liability protection and pass-through taxes work, the pros and cons, and how to form one.
7 min readWhat Is an EIN and How Do You Get One?
What is an EIN? A plain guide to the free federal tax ID: who needs one, why to get one even as a solo owner, how to apply directly with the IRS, and EIN vs SSN.
6 min readWhat Is a Registered Agent, and Do You Need One?
What is a registered agent? What they receive, who needs one, whether you can be your own, the pros and cons of a service, and how much it costs.
7 min readWhat Is a DBA (Doing Business As)?
What is a DBA? A plain guide to 'doing business as' names: what a DBA does and doesn't do, who needs one, how to file it, and what it costs.
6 min readDBA vs. LLC: What's the Difference?
DBA vs LLC explained: a DBA is a registered name, an LLC is a legal entity. Compare liability, taxes, cost, and paperwork, and when to use each (or both).
7 min readSole Proprietorship vs. LLC vs. S-Corp: Which Should You Choose?
Sole proprietorship vs LLC vs S-corp: how they differ on liability, taxes, cost, and paperwork, plus a decision framework and when an S-corp election pays off.
8 min readHow Much Does an LLC Cost?
How much does an LLC cost? The one-time state filing fee, annual report and franchise fees, registered agent costs, and DIY vs formation-service pricing.
7 min readHow to Choose the Right Business Structure
How to choose a business structure: the main US options and the factors that should drive your decision — liability, taxes, cost, growth plans, and credibility.
8 min readWhat Is a Seller's Permit and How Do You Get One?
What is a seller's permit? The state sales-tax license that lets you collect sales tax: who needs one, how it differs from a license and EIN, and how to get it.
7 min readPut these guides into action
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