I am looking for people to help form a Corporation in California. How can I find people with no capital gain.  I need to start with an Artical of Incorporation but how can I do that.  What websites are available to use for FREE to help start a Corporation.  What all do you need and how many people can you use to start?
206214
Maybe you can get people power if you offer them a profit sharing plan.  First advertise your offer and invite people to a meeting.  Than make a great presentation of your idea and how it will benefit those who join.  Emphasize how their investment now will soon benefit them.
552441
You really can't. You CAN incorporate yourself (ie do the paperwork), but you still have to file the paperwork and pay the fees to the Dept of Corporations, and the State, and the tax people, and everybody. Those fees will probably exceed $250, depending on your business.
153519
The Foundation Center has a number of free resources for starting a nonprofit organization and helpful information on successfully applying for grants.\n\nFirst you need to incorporate a nonprofit organization.  From the Foundation Center:\n\nForming a new nonprofit is a process that involves two distinct stages. Generally, you will need to establish your organization by filing articles of incorporation with the appropriate agency in your state (usually the secretary of state). You will also need to secure federal income tax exemption by filing the appropriate forms with the Internal Revenue Service. see whole article and list of resources, including an online tutorial about how to start a nonprofit at http://fdncenter.org/getstarted/faqs/html/starting_nonprofit.html\n\nThe IRS page with information for chaities/nonprofits is here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html
149392
It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate (particularly Lesko), federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.\n\nNonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html\n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nHere is a listing of all federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.\nhttp://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.\n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
27903
Couple of issues.\n\n1. If you are aproaching these companies as an individual and they're wanting a company to "back you up", I would strongly suggest you either set yourself up with a business lic. under a fictitious name. This can be done through your county. The other alternative would be to set up a corporation through your state or a different state, Nevada being a popular choice. The corporation would give you tax benefits and personal asset protection but is more complicated and costly.\n\n2. Economies of scale. If you are importing 10 units per month the companies you aproach are importing 1000 units per month greatly lowering their cost.\n\nSuggestions:\n\n1. Try ebay you might be surprised at the results.\n\n2. Attend trade shows specificly related to the product you are selling.\n\nHope this helps.\n\nPS. ignore my spelling.\n\nRascal
426973
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) has characteristics of a corporation and a partnership. An LLC allows its owners not to be personally liable for debts or liabilities of the business like a corporation, but have the tax benefits of partnerships. The owners of an LLC are called members which are somewhat analogous to shareholders. A member can be a natural person, a corporation, a partnership, or another legal association or entity. Unlike corporations or sole proprietorships, which may be formed by only one person, in most states, LLC's must be formed and managed by two or more members. The members may run the LLC themselves or through appointment of managers, who have similar levels of fiduciary duty to the LLC as do Directors of a corporation.\n\nLLCs are easier to create than corporations and forming one may be the best thing you can do for your business.   Here are the steps you need to take to make your LLC a legal reality.\n   1. Choose an available business name that complies with your state's LLC rules.\n   2. File formal paperwork, usually called articles of organization, and pay the filing fee (ranging from about $100 to $800, depending on your state's rules).\n   3. Create an LLC operating agreement, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of the LLC members.\n   4. Publish a notice of your intent to form an LLC (required in only a few states).\n   5. Obtain licenses and permits that may be required for your business.\n\nThe name of your LLC must comply with the rules of your state's LLC division. (Typically, this office is combined with the corporations division, and is part of the secretary of state's office.) While requirements differ from state to state, generally:\n    * the name cannot be the same as the name of another LLC on file with the LLC office\n    * the name must end with an LLC designator, such as "Limited Liability Company" or "Limited Company," or an abbreviation of one of these phrases (such as "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Ltd. Liability Co."), and\n    * the name cannot include certain words prohibited by the state, such as Bank, Insurance, Corporation or City (state rules differ on which words are prohibited).\n\nYour state's LLC office can tell you how to find out whether your proposed name is available for your use. Often, for a small fee, you can reserve your LLC name for a short period of time until you file your articles of organization.\n\nAfter settling on a name, you must prepare and file "articles of organization" with your state's LLC filing office. While most states use the term "articles of organization" to refer to the basic document required to create an LLC, some states use the term "certificate of formation" or "certificate of organization."\n\nOne disadvantage of forming an LLC instead of a partnership or a sole proprietorship is that you'll have to pay a filing fee when you submit your articles of organization. In most states, the fees are modest, typically around $100. In a few others, they take a bigger bite: this includes California, which charges an $800 annual tax on top of its filing fee.\n\nArticles of organization are short, simple documents. You can usually prepare your own in just a few minutes by filling in the blanks and checking the boxes on a form provided by your state's filing office. Typically, you must provide only your LLC's name, its address, and sometimes the names of all of the owners, called members. Generally, all of the LLC owners may prepare and sign the articles, or they can appoint just one person to do so.\n\nYou will probably also be required to list the name and address of a person, usually one of the LLC members who will act as your LLC's "registered agent," or "agent for service of process." Your agent is the person who will receive legal papers in any future lawsuit involving your LLC.\n\nOper
318315
Well, yes and no.  I think the other answerer was correct that a partnership or sole proprietor can use things like that, but if you want the tax ID to be registered to your corporation (which is how I understood your question), you will need to actually HAVE a corporation first.  Until you actually file the papers and incorporate, your corporation doesn't exist (except in your own mind).  So, you can't actually DO anything for the business that doesn't exist.  \n\nIf you make a sale before you incorporate, that sale is technically not a sale of the corporation, but would be a sale of your own sole proprietorship or partnership.
27912
Incorporations are done through the states, so it's best to contact the state directly. I put the link to a directory of Secretary of State links.\n\nI posted a couple links to informative articles about business structures.\n\nCheck out the Small Business Administration web site -- they're a great resource for the small business owner. \n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your endeavors!
168824
First of all you need a business plan.  You can find the "how too's" of them on the internet for free anywhere. If you have a home or some collateral this would be a good thing to be able to put into the business plan. Then go to bank's and investment companies (it helps of you know an investment person), and don't give up.  The Small Businesss Adminstration (SBA) is a good place for info also.  There is so much good information out there places on the internet, and I am speaking of business web sites not just any fly by night.  American Express as well as others has a small business section that has articles and such.  I am attempting to do the same thing now for our business for growth capital.
128529
I recently retired from the real estate business in Central Florida after 27 years. For the past two years I have been offering free business mentoring services to young entrepreneurs. I can offer a variety of small business ideas depending on your personal interest and abilities. I will also make myself available for consultations by email or phone. I do not charge for these services.\n\nI must tell you that it is very difficult to get any (legal) business into a positive cash flow position that would be equivalent to your full time job. Most businesses take at least a few months to a year or more to start generating that kind of income. Can you afford to wait?\n\nIf you want to know more, please feel free to write to Bruce at boatclub@go.com . I will you help if I can.
123247
dba stands for "doing business as".\n\nIf you are doing business under a name other than your own, you must file a dba so people know who they're really doing business with if they wish to find out.  If not, you don't.  For instance, if your name is Joe Smith and your business name is "Joe Smith Enterprises", no dba is required.  If you're doing business as "VGA Construction", yes you do need to file a dba.\n\nWhether or not you have to obtain a license or permit depends on the service you are performing.  I suggest you find out the government agency that regulates the business/service you conduct and they can tell you what is required as far as California's requirements.\n\nYes, all government requirements should be accomplished before providing your services to the public..  If not, you could be in a lot of trouble.\n\nAs a self-employed person, you will have to pay FICA either on your wages or earnings.  How much will be subject to FICA will be determined by the business form you choose and how you manage the cash flow. There are many business form choices, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, C corporation, S corporation, etc.  All have differing tax rules and you have no flexibility in some, a lot in others.  Just because there may be only one person in your business, it doesn't automatically follow that your formation should be as sole-proprietorship.  In fact, that's the worst possible form in the case of a one person company if you wish to protect your personal assets from possible business lawsuits in the future.\n\nI would suggest you go to the Nolo.com website for books on business formation.  Some of their books are general in nature but others are specific to California.  I am not a California resident (I live in Texas) but I have a bachelor's degree in business.  Plus I've done my own additional research for my own business pursuits.  Anything you need to verify on the subjects you asked about can be checked at the California Secretary of State's website or the IRS' website or in one of the business books sold at Nolo.com.\n\nGood luck!
261649
You start with your secretary of state.  Try on line for your state.  In Kansas, it costs about $35 to get registered with the state as a "Non-Profit Organization" and then you need to file with the I.R.S. to get a letter of determination as a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization and then you can receive donations from others and you will be on your way.  \nThe State will likely want a set of bylaws and articles of incorporation plus their fee.  You may need to be 18 years old, but the Secretary of State will have that answer.  If you have serious money already, you can hire an attorney to draw up the needed papers, or, you can do it yourself if you have courage.  There may be a "Dummies" series book, or something like that if you want to do it   yourself.\n\nFor media, all you have to do is send out a press release and let them know something you are doing that is newsworthy.  Especially if you are in a small town, they are hungry for news.  At your age, you might get a local T.V. station to do a human interest story on it.  You will need a board of directors for your group, and that could be something that would give you coverage.\n\nGood luck and make it happen.\nPlease let me know how it turns out.  lsadams@ruraltel.net
630130
Unlike what you heard, it is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.\n\nNonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.\n\nEven if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.\n\nEven SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html... \n\n"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."\n\nHere is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.\nhttp://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show\n\nMost of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program \n\nGrants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs \n\nFor private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.\n\nhttp://www.cfda.gov\nhttp://www.grants.gov\nhttp://gtionline.fdncenter.org\nhttp://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm\nhttp://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
87695
One of the most comprehensive FAQs on LLC I know is by Nolo.com:\n\nhttp://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/objectID/ED01121A-B4BF-498A-8BC0DBD121A0C869/111/182/245/FAQ/\n\nOther resources are:\n\nHow to form an LLC in your state (with state by state links) http://www.mycorporation.com/llc/info/index.htm\nhttp://www.bizfilings.com/learning/llcfaq.asp
217569
The requirements for setting up a corporation are determined by state law, so they very depending on where a business incorporates.  There is no minimum size, however, and most corporations are small, what are called “close corporations” or “closely held corporations.”  Such corporations typically only have a few shareholders, often family members or friends, who have no intention of selling their shares.\n\nThere are some requirements, though: for instance, corporations need to have boards of directors, and there is usually a minimum number of directors.  The basic form is the corporation’s “articles of incorporation,” which is filed with the Secretary of State.  The requirements vary by state, but all require that the articles name the initial directors.  The Model Business Corporations Act has been widely adopted, and lays out all the requirements for forming a corporation, and what must be included in the articles of incorporation.  It’s probably available on line.
170955
The difference between an LLC and Inc (Corporation) are actually legal differences and you won't really know if you made a right decision unless you get sued :-) \n\nI would talk with a CPA about Incorporating or forming an LLC. They would be able to explain not only the states definition but also if you need to file an Entity Election and possible a Sub-S Election with the IRS. Don't forget that even when you form an LLC or Corporation with the state you may still be taxed as a Sole Proprietor by the IRS unless you file to correct elections, meaning you are liable for taxes as the person, not as a corporation. With more than one owner... trust me that could get a little hairy.
608666
I'm not an accountant, but I have a corporation in Texas.  Either way, it's expensive and you're going to spend several hundred dollars, so if your business doesn't have much liability now, you may want to wait and just file a DBA as a partnership.\n\nFor either of them, you need to file with the Secretary of State, here's the link, it'll tell you how to file, fees, etc.\nhttp://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/businessstructure.shtml\n\nWith your size business, if you go as a corporation, you should elect to be an "S" corp.  This is very easy and lets you pass any profits from the corporation to the shareholders as wages.  Any losses are passed to the shareholders and you deduct from you personal taxes.  The corporation files a year end tax form, and K-1 showing the percentages for each shareholder.  You then file a supplement page with your 1040.  \n\nThe main difference with the LLC I think is record keeping.  If you're a corporation, you need to have annual meetings, keep articles of incorporation, detailed records of any changes.  Costs are about the same.   I forget the filing fee, but I think it's like $400 to register the name and paperwork.  You don't need a lawyer if you can find the paperwork that'll show you what you need.\n\nFranchise tax is nothing to worry about.  As a corp in Texas, you need to file 2 forms with the state every tax year.  One just shows the names of the directors and the other is your income; but if it's less than $250,000, you don't owe anything.