Limited time:
Get 10% off LLC plans
Limited time:
Get 10% off LLC plans
Kickstart your business in minutes
LLC
The simplest way of structuring your business to protect personal assets.
Start my LLC
From $0 + state filing fees
Corporation
Plan to issue shares, go public, or go global? Go there as a corporation.
Start my corporation
From $149 + state filing fees
Nonprofit
Create an organization to give back and be eligible for tax breaks.
Start my nonprofit
From $99 + state filing fees
Doing business as
Go by a different business name without creating a new company.
Start my DBA
From $99 + state filing fees
Find out what business type is right for you.
Start for free
Set up your business for success
The simplest way of structuring your business to protect personal assets.
Learn more
Helping you at every stage
Getting set up
Growing your business
Use LegalZoom to start your business
in 3 easy steps
Use LegalZoom to start your business
in 3 easy steps
in 3 easy steps
01
Tell us about your business
Let us know basic details about your business.
02
Choose the services you need
Take your business to the next level with LegalZoom's services.
03
Sit back while we make it official
Let us take care of the rest while you get back to business!
Business types at a glance
How it protects you
LLC
Corporation
Nonprofit
Sole prop
Limited liability protection
This ensures you or other partners aren't personally on the hook for company debts and liabilities.
How it's managed and maintained
Flexible management structure
Corporations require a board of directors, annual meetings, record keeping, and more. LLCs and sole proprietorships have rules too—but they're less strict.
State compliance requirements
After you form, there are annual requirements to keep your business in good standing.
How it's taxed
Taxed
LLCs and corporations have multiple tax options.
Tax exempt
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are exempt from federal income taxes.
Only with 501(c)(3) status
How it can grow
Flexibility to raise capital
Get access to funds from banks, venture capital firms, and foundations.
Able to IPO
Only corporations can sell shares on the stock market.
C corp only
Get started
Start for $0 + filing fees
Get started
Start for $149 + filing fees
Get started
Start for $99 + filing fees
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an LLC and a corporation?
Both protect owners so they're not personally on the hook for business liabilities or debts. But, key differences include how they're owned (LLCs have one or more individual owners and corporations have shareholders) and maintained (corporations generally have more formal record-keeping and reporting requirements). Even though LLCs are considered easier to start and maintain, investors tend to prefer corporations.
What's the difference between a C corporation and an S corporation?
The way you're taxed.
C corporation income is taxed twice—the business pays taxes on its net income, and then the shareholders also pay taxes on the profits they receive. With S corporation income, only the shareholders pay taxes on profits received.
C corporation income is taxed twice—the business pays taxes on its net income, and then the shareholders also pay taxes on the profits they receive. With S corporation income, only the shareholders pay taxes on profits received.
What's the main difference between a sole proprietorship and an LLC?
Personal liability protection. An LLC protects owners from being personally on the hook for business liabilities or debts. A sole proprietorship doesn't.
How are different business types taxed?
LLCs, S corporations, and sole proprietorships are taxed once on profits received. C corporations are taxed twice; the business pays taxes at the corporate level, and shareholders pay taxes on income received. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are exempt from federal income taxes.
Which business types give me personal liability protection?
LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits. You don't get personal liability protection with sole proprietorships or DBAs.
Meet our customers
McCall's Meat and Fish Co.
"We've used [LegalZoom] for quite a few things over the years, and overall it's gone very smoothly. They've been easy to work with and very affordable."
Kylie's Consulting Services
"The process was so simple, and [LegalZoom] walked me through every step of the way. In just a few weeks, Kylie's Consulting Services was official. And the best part? My DBA gives me the credibility to run my business well, and the flexibility to grow later on down the line. So, if Kylie's Consulting Services outgrows that name, LegalZoom will have a resource for me to tackle that easily and painlessly."
Birdie
"[My sister and I] are both entrepreneurs who have started many companies. For our first venture together, we chose LegalZoom. It's an easy, time-saving solution for the legal paperwork required of a start-up. LegalZoom freed us up to focus on our new business!"
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