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It's important to understand the benefits of new limited liability law.


On Sept. 30, the California Limited The California Limited was one of the named passenger trains of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and a true "workhorse" of the railroad. It was assigned train Nos. 3 & 4, and its route ran from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California.  Liability Company Act was signed into law. This new law allows the formation of a hybrid entity -- the limited liability company (LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol.

LLC - Logical Link Control
). LLCs will be particularly useful for real estate ventures and closely held A phrase used to describe the ownership, management, and operation of a corporation by a small group of people.

In a closely held corporation, the same people often act as shareholders, directors, and officers, and no outside investors exist.
 entities that normally file as S or C corporations. LLCs are hybrid legal entities that enjoy the single-level taxation benefits of a partnership and the limited liability of shareholders of a corporation.

Except for sole proprietorships A form of business in which one person owns all the assets of the business, in contrast to a partnership or a corporation.

A person who does business for himself is engaged in the operation of a sole proprietorship.
, most California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W).  businesses are set up as C or S corporations, or as partnerships. Traditionally, there have been disadvantages to each structure -- disadvantages that the LLC is designed to overcome.

* Double Taxation of C Corporations. Owners of C corporations must deal with double taxation: income is taxed first at the corporate level and then at the shareholder level with dividend distributions.

* Restrictions of S Corporations. Although S Corporations avoid double taxation -- earnings are passed through to shareholders -- they have several unattractive features. They can have no more than 35 shareholders (who must be U.S. citizens, residents or certain kinds of trusts), and a shareholder's heir cannot receive a stepped-up stepped-up
adj.
Increased in pace or intensity; heightened: a stepped-up political campaign. 
 basis in corporate assets.

Partnerships enjoy two advantages over C and S Corporations: there are usually no restrictions on who can be a partner; and the partners are taxed just once. But general partners risk unlimited personal liability and can be liable for partnership debts and obligations. And in limited partnerships, only the general partners can participate in management decisions.

How can businesses benefit

LLCs eliminate many of the disadvantages of S and C corporations and partnerships. All members of an LLC have limited liability; income is taxed only once; any member can participate in the company's management; there are no membership restrictions; and, finally, an heir of an LLC member can receive a stepped-up basis in LLC assets.

In addition, LLCs can be involved in any business activity except banking, insurance or trust companies, and the professions (including law, accounting and medicine). For example, LLCs can lend or borrow money, purchase, lease, or deal in real property, and issue securities. They can also sue (or be sued). Managers of the LLC do not have to be LLC members, nor do they have to be individuals.

Although LLC members are not generally liable for debts and obligations of the LLC, under certain circumstances CIRCUMSTANCES, evidence. The particulars which accompany a fact.
     2. The facts proved are either possible or impossible, ordinary and probable, or extraordinary and improbable, recent or ancient; they may have happened near us, or afar off; they are public or
 a court could "pierce Pierce may refer to: Places
  • Pierce, Colorado, a US town
  • Pierce, Idaho, a US city
  • Pierce, Nebraska, a US city
  • Pierce, Wisconsin, a US town
  • Mount Pierce (New Hampshire), USA, a peak in the White Mountains
  • Pierce County, several places
 the LLC's veil" and hold members liable for an LLC debt, obligation or liability. In addition, if you are not knowledgeable about LLC requirements, the LLC can pose risks in areas such as limiting the free transfer of interests and proscribing the continuity of the LLC's life.

Getting established

An LLC must have at least two members and file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. It should also adopt an "Operating Agreement An operating agreement is an agreement among limited liability company ("LLC") members governing the LLC's business, and Member's financial and management rights and duties. No state requires an LLC to have an Operating agreement. " (like a partnership agreement), establishing members' rights and obligations. The Operating Agreement can be prepared before or after filing the Articles of Organization.

If you are interested in forming an LLC or converting from an existing corporation, partnership, or joint venture, you should consult with your legal advisor.

Poteshman is a CPA (Computer Press Association, Landing, NJ) An earlier membership organization founded in 1983 that promoted excellence in computer journalism. Its annual awards honored outstanding examples in print, broadcast and electronic media. The CPA disbanded in 2000.  and founding partner of Duitch, Poteshman, Franklin & Co., a middle market West Los Angeles-based accounting firm
COPYRIGHT 1994 CBJ, L.P.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1994, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Title Annotation:Personal Finance
Author:Poteshman, Mel
Publication:Los Angeles Business Journal
Article Type:Column
Date:Nov 14, 1994
Words:535
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