Why choose a C corporation?
When registering a company, C corporation or C corp is the most common corporation type, but it isn’t always the top choice for small business owners. C corporations provide limited liability protection to owners, who are called shareholders, meaning owners are typically not personally responsible for business debts and liabilities. C corporations may also offer greater tax advantages because of an expanded ability to deduct employee benefits, which are most often used by growing businesses.
C corp advantages
C corporations typically provide a number of advantages:
- Limited liability protection. Owners are not typically responsible for business debts and liabilities.
- Unlimited owners. C corps can have an unlimited number of shareholders.
- Easy transfer of ownership. Ownership is easily transferable through the sale of stock.
- Unlimited life. When a corporation’s owner incurs a disabling illness or dies, the corporation does not cease to exist.
- Raise capital more easily. Additional capital can be raised by selling shares of stock.
- Credibility. Corporations may be perceived as a more professional/legitimate entity than a sole proprietorship or general partnership.
- Lower audit risk. Generally C corporations are audited less frequently than sole proprietorships.
- Tax deductible expenses. Business expenses may be tax-deductible.
- Self-employment tax savings. A C corporation can offer self-employment tax savings, since owners who work for the business are classified as employees.
How do you form a C corporation?
In order to register a company as a C corporation, Articles of Incorporation (sometimes called a Certificate of Incorporation, must be filed with the state and the necessary filing fees paid. Upon incorporation, C corporations are also required to adopt bylaws, hold an initial meeting of directors and shareholders, and issue shares of stock to owners.
Key Benefits
C corporations are more flexible than S corporations in terms of the number of owners (shareholders) they can have and who can be an owner. That is one reason why C corporations are the business type of choice for venture capitalists when they provide funding to a business.
S Corporation vs. C Corporation: A Comparison
Keep in Mind
Corporations face the most extensive ongoing formalities of any business type. Corporations must adopt and regularly update bylaws, hold and properly document annual meetings of directors and shareholders and more.
Business Compliance Requirements & Consequences