Business Formation
Setting up new business entities including LLC, S-Corp, or partnership formation with state registration and EIN acquisition.
What This Is
When you start a business, there are decisions to make about how the entity is structured. LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership. Each one has different implications for taxes, liability, and how you pay yourself. We help you choose the right structure, file the paperwork with the state of Florida, obtain your EIN from the IRS, and make sure everything is set up correctly from day one.
This is more than just filling out forms online. The structure you choose affects how much you pay in self-employment taxes, how your business income flows to your personal return, and what kind of liability protection you actually have. We walk through those considerations with you before anything gets filed so the decision is informed rather than rushed.
Entity Selection and Filing
Entity Selection and Filing
We review your situation and help you determine whether an LLC, S-Corp, partnership, or other structure makes the most sense for your goals. Then we handle the state registration with the Florida Division of Corporations, obtain your federal EIN, and provide you with the documents you need to open a business bank account and start operating.
Setting the Foundation
Setting the Foundation
Beyond the filing itself, we make sure your new entity is positioned for clean recordkeeping from the start. That includes guidance on separating personal and business finances, understanding your tax obligations, and knowing what filings and deadlines come with your chosen structure. The goal is to avoid the common early mistakes that create problems later.
Why This Matters
A lot of new business owners pick an entity type based on what a friend recommended or what they read in a forum post. Someone told them to form an LLC, so they filed one online for $99 without understanding the tax implications. Or they heard S-Corps save money on taxes, so they elected S-Corp status without realizing they now have payroll obligations and additional filing requirements. These decisions are hard to undo and expensive to fix after the fact.
The wrong structure can mean paying thousands more in taxes each year than necessary. It can also mean losing the liability protection you thought you had because you skipped a step or didn’t follow through on the requirements that come with your entity type. Starting a business is exciting, but the legal and tax structure is not the place to cut corners or guess.
Tax Consequences You Don't See Coming
Tax Consequences You Don't See Coming
An LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship means you pay self-employment tax on all your net income. An S-Corp election can reduce that, but only if you pay yourself a reasonable salary and run payroll. Choosing the wrong structure or not understanding the requirements that come with it leads to unexpected tax bills and compliance issues that could have been avoided with proper guidance upfront.
Fixing Mistakes Later Costs More
Fixing Mistakes Later Costs More
Dissolving an entity and forming a new one involves state fees, new filings, updated bank accounts, and potentially amended tax returns. If you elected S-Corp status too early when your revenue didn’t justify the payroll costs, unwinding that takes time and money. Getting the structure right the first time is always less expensive than correcting it after the fact.
What Changes
You start your business with a structure that actually fits your situation. Not what worked for someone else, but what makes sense for your income level, your industry, your growth plans, and your personal tax situation. The decision is made with a CPA who has over 20 years of experience working with small businesses and who understands how these choices play out over time.
And because we handle bookkeeping, tax preparation, and advisory work as well, your entity formation isn’t an isolated event. It connects to how your books are set up, how your taxes are filed, and how your business grows. You get continuity from the very beginning instead of piecing things together with different providers who don’t talk to each other.
A Clean Start
A Clean Start
Your entity is formed correctly with the state. Your EIN is obtained. Your operating agreement or corporate documents are in order. You know what tax filings are required and when they are due. You open your business bank account with the right documentation and begin operating with a clear separation between personal and business finances from day one.
A Long-Term Relationship
A Long-Term Relationship
Business formation is often the first conversation we have with clients. From there, many need bookkeeping, tax preparation, or advisory support as they grow. Because we understand your business from the beginning, we can provide better guidance along the way. You are not starting over with a new accountant every year trying to explain how things were set up.
Tampa Bay's Small Business CPA Firm
First Step:
A Short Conversation
Tell us about your business and where you need support. We'll walk through your situation, answer your questions, and give you a clear quote.
