Chicago Incorporation Services
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When starting a new business, it is important to understand the different business structures as each one has different tax benefits and liabilities. Your business should be incorporated under the entity structure that makes the most sense for your business needs.
At STE, we can advise you on the different business structures and help you form an effective strategy for business incorporation.
You have the choice of incorporating your business as one of the following legal entities:
Sole proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned by a single individual. The sole proprietorship is not a separate legal entity from the owner which means that with any and all liabilities, the owner’s personal assets are exposed without limitation. Income is subject to self-employment tax.- Partnership: A partnership is another unincorporated business that is owned by two or more individuals. The owners have unlimited liability when it comes to debts and other liabilities unless they are a limited partner. These businesses do not pay federal tax as the income or loss is instead passed to the partners for their personal tax returns. Income is subject to self-employment tax.
- Corporation: A corporation is a legal entity that is separate from its owners and/or shareholders. When it comes to income, the corporation is taxed first, and the income is taxed a second time on individual tax returns of the shareholders after it is distributed to them in the form of dividends. This is referred to as “double taxation.”
- Corporation S: Corporation S entities are similar to regular corporations, except that they are typically exempt from federal tax as the profits and losses are passed straight through to shareholders for their personal tax returns. This entity avoids the “double taxation” that comes with regular corporation incorporation.
- Limited liability company (LLC): Limited liability companies are legal entities under state law and protect the owners from personal liability for debts. For federal income tax purposes, an LLC can be classified as a partnership, C corporation, S corporation, or an entity disregarded for tax purposes.
- Series LLC: A series LLC is an LLC that can cover multiple assets under one entity with lower administrative costs and government fees for each entity. After LLC incorporation, you can designate separate protected “cells” for each asset including properties or divisions within your business. A series LLC can also be used in place of a business merger in which each business can remain separate as its own cell under the LLC umbrella. Our professionals are experts in this complex business entity structure, and we can help you incorporate your business as a series LLC.
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OUR SERVICES
Accounting
- Statuary Accounts
- Management Accounts
- Bookkeeping
- Business Plan
Tax
- Tax Investigation
- Capitol Gains Tax
- Tax Advisory
- Corporation Tax
Consulting
- Registered Office Address
- Company Formation
- Company Secretarial
- Legal Helpline
QuickBooks/ Bookkeeping Services
All of the financial information and data for your business should be organized and in one place so it is easy to access. With our bookkeeping services, we will organize and manage your financial information within the QuickBooks software so you can easily access it at any time. While we manage your financial matters on a daily and monthly basis, you will be in control as we will keep you updated and ensure you can access and monitor your finances. If you are applying for a loan, doing your taxes, or budgeting, having quick access to your financial information is important. We can assist large businesses and provide small business bookkeeping.Advisory Services
Our accountants can take on an advisory role with your company through our business consulting services. We will work with you to understand your financial goals and help you make the right decisions to reach your goals and help your business grow and become more profitable. Our business advisory services include advisement for investments, taxes, payroll, bookkeeping, administration, and more.Estate Planning
It is important to manage your estate to help protect its value and ensure that your assets are distributed properly between your beneficiaries. Our accountants can assist with your estate planning, including managing the taxes to preserve its value and ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Our estate accountants will identify ways to protect your estate from inflation and taxes and minimize what you are paying in taxes to maximize its value.Sales Tax / Nexus
Sales tax rates and laws are decided locally and differ between states and cities. This can make sales and use tax difficult to manage for businesses, especially those that operate in multiple cities and states. Our certified public accountants can help manage your sales and use taxes by ensuring that you are in compliance with applicable sales tax laws and identifying opportunities for refunds and exemptions. We have a thorough knowledge of sales tax laws and we can even help businesses that operate in multiple states with filing their taxes. Using Nexus tax analysis, we can help multi-state businesses stay in compliance with all applicable tax laws.Payroll Services
We provide payroll services to small businesses and international businesses that operate in the U.S. Our accountants will streamline your payroll process and manage the tax withholdings and benefit deductions from employee paychecks. We can also file the tax returns for your business that account for the tax withholdings.Call the CPAs of STE Corporation
Contact our CPA firm if you want to work with our accountants to help manage the finances for your business in Park Ridge, IL. You can call STE Corporation at (815) 836-0100 to talk to our professionals or schedule a free consultation.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For tax years 2018 through 2025 interest on home equity loans is only deductible when the loan is used to buy, build or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan. Prior to 2018, many homeowners took out home equity loans. Unlike other consumer-related interest expenses (e.g., car loans and credit cards) interest on a home equity loan was deductible on your tax return.
You may be able to take an immediate Section 179 expense deduction of up to $1,040,000 for 2020 ($1,020,000 in 2019), for equipment purchased for use in your business, instead of writing it off over many years. There is a phaseout limit of $2,590,000 in 2020 ($2,550,000 in 2019). Additionally, self-employed individuals can deduct 100 percent of their health insurance premiums. You may also be able to establish a Keogh, SEP or SIMPLE IRA plan and deduct your contributions (investments).
In 2020 (as in 2019), medical and dental expenses are deductible to the extent they exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income or AGI. If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account or cafeteria plan, these plans permit you to redirect a portion of your salary to pay these types of expenses with pre-tax dollars.
If you’re planning to make a charitable gift, it generally makes more sense to give appreciated long-term capital assets to the charity, instead of selling the assets and giving the charity the after-tax proceeds. Donating the assets instead of the cash avoids capital gains tax on the sale, and you can obtain a tax deduction for the full fair-market value of the property.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
“Everyone at STE has been amazing. As a small business owner it is essential to have people on your team that are experts in all areas. When it comes to finance and taxes Jim and the team at STE fill that need. Thanks for being great at what you do and always be there!”
“STE has been handling our personal, business accounting, and payroll for years. They are knowledgeable, easy to reach, and very welcoming. Would definitely recommend them.”
“I have had nothing but pleasant experiences at STE. They are knowledgeable and provide great service.”
“We have used STE Corporation for our payroll and tax service needs over the past 3+ years and extremely pleased with the partnership we have created.”
“My husband has operated his painting business since 2004, first as a sole proprietorship and later as an S corporation. STE has been instrumental in helping him grow his business and remain in compliance. I cannot thank Mike, Marybeth, Jim, and Lisa enough for helping him get organized and stay that way. They have truly been the business office he needed in order to focus on the part of his business he enjoys – painting and customer service Their professional staff literally have never let him down – payroll, state taxes, federal taxes, consultation, ledger reconciliation, profit and loss sheets, and probably lots of things I do not even know about! Hiring this firm was the best decision he could have made. He looks forward to visiting the office, everyone makes him feel like family. I appreciate their professionalism and efficiency. Thank you STE!”
OUR SERVICES
Accounting
- Statuary Accounts
- Management Accounts
- Bookkeeping
- Business Plan
Tax
- Tax Investigation
- Capitol Gains Tax
- Tax Advisory
- Corporation Tax
Consulting
- Registered Office Address
- Company Formation
- Company Secretarial
- Legal Helpline