Taxes & Entities

LLCs

The LLC gives a business the liability wall of a corporation with the simple single-layer taxation of a sole proprietorship — the default upgrade from "being your business." But the wall only stands if you keep the business genuinely separate from yourself.

  • Intermediate
  • 8 min total
  • 11 chapters

What decision this helps you make: Whether an LLC's combination (liability wall + pass-through tax + flexibility) fits your business — and how to keep the protection from being pierced.

What this topic is

A business entity providing a legal wall between the business and owners' personal assets, taxed by default as a pass-through — corporate protection with single-layer taxation and operational flexibility.

Why it matters

It's the default entity for most small businesses because it buys the liability wall cheaply without the corporate double tax — but the wall is conditional on keeping the entity genuinely separate.

Who should learn it

Anyone deciding how to structure a business with real risk who wants protection without corporate complexity.

What you will understand

  • Liability wall of a corporation, single-layer tax of a sole prop
  • Flexible: one or many members; can elect S-corp or C-corp tax
  • The wall holds only with real separation and formalities
  • It doesn't cover your own malpractice or personal guarantees

Prerequisites

Common misconception

"Once I form an LLC, my personal assets are protected — I'm done." Filing creates the wall; keeping it standing is ongoing work. Commingle funds, run the LLC as a personal piggy bank, or skip the formalities and a court can "pierce the veil" and reach you personally. And even a well-kept wall doesn't stop your own malpractice, a debt you personally guaranteed, or unpaid payroll taxes.