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An authorized LLC member is an individual(s) with the authority to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the company. This role can be filled by you as the owner, or designated to a manager, depending on the company's structure.Not all states mandate a specifically authorized member to represent an LLC; in some cases, the owner or manager may automatically assume this role.Our team at... Read more >

The LLC tax rate varies by the company's chosen tax structure, either as a disregarded entity, partnership, or corporation.As a corporate attorney who has advised over 40 LLC owners on tax structure selection in the past 4 years, I've seen how the wrong classification can cost business owners thousands annually.In this guide, I break down every LLC tax rate scenario — from sole proprietor... Read more >

You can run multiple businesses under one LLC using three main structures: a DBA, a Series LLC, or a holding company with subsidiary LLCs.Over 9 years of consulting with LLC owners, I've helped more than 40 clients work through this decision — and the right choice depends heavily on how much liability separation you actually need.Pick the wrong structure and you could be staring down... Read more >

Illinois charges LLCs $75 to file their annual report. It's due before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month. That's when you first organized in the state. Miss that date and the fees start stacking fast.The Illinois Secretary of State's Department of Business Services runs this filing. Filing confirms the state has your current registered agent and business address on file. Read more >

Capital contribution is simply the money — or other assets — a member puts into an LLC to get their ownership stake. At VentureSmarter, we've guided hundreds of LLC founders through the formation process, which gives us a front-row seat to how capital contributions play out in the real world — and where things go wrong. I've spent time reviewing the relevant regulations and talking to legal... Read more >

To start an LLC for a towing company, you'll need to choose an LLC type, register with your state, appoint a registered agent, and obtain the required licenses and permits.Over 9 years of consulting, I've helped two dozens of towing operators structure their businesses correctly from day one. This guide walks you through each step in order, so nothing gets missed. Read more >

Bylaws are also referred to as a setup or operating agreement. It is an important part of an LLC since it dictates how the company is run and how it functions. As a business consultant for limited liability companies across various states, we at Venture Smarter will provide you with detailed guidelines on how to draft a sample bylaw/operating agreement to help with establishing your LLC. I have... Read more >

LLC owners have two main options for pulling cash out of their company: taking a distribution or borrowing from the LLC.After working through IRS guidance and consulting with business attorneys on more than 50 LLC cases over the past four years, I can tell you that picking the wrong method — or skipping the paperwork — can trigger unexpected tax bills and put your liability protection at... Read more >

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) formation process can be a little challenging if you're a non-US citizen or resident without a Social Security Number (SSN). Fortunately, forming an LLC without an SSN is possible.Our team of business and legal experts has personally guided numerous entrepreneurs through LLC formation without SSNs, testing various formation services and compliance tools to... Read more >

Starting an LLC in Massachusetts means filing a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, paying a $500–$520 filing fee, and staying on top of annual compliance requirements.I've spent over 9 years as a business consultant helping dozens of founders form LLCs across Massachusetts — and the mistakes I see most often come down to the same two things: skipping the... Read more >

To reserve a Nevada LLC name, verify availability, complete the Name Reservation Request Form on SilverFlume, and pay a $25 filing fee to secure your name for 90 days.I've worked with 40+ Nevada LLC founders over the past 9 years. More than once, skipping name reservation meant starting over after someone else claimed their preferred name first.Below, I'll walk you through each step, the... Read more >

An LLC annual report is a state-required filing that updates your company's contact details, registered agent, and ownership information, and missing the deadline can trigger fines or even dissolution. As a corporate attorney who has guided over 50 LLCs through annual compliance filings across multiple states, I know exactly where owners run into trouble. This guide covers what the report... Read more >