Legal Forms of Business Organization in United States

Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is a business run by an individual. The owner is the business; the owner has all of the profits and losses of the business. The owner also has all the control and all the liability from the business operations. Business taxes are paid by the owner through his or her personal income tax return.

Partnership
A partnership is a business which operates like a sole proprietorship, but with several individuals running it. The partners share the profits/losses, have control and liability for business operations. Partnership taxes are paid by the partners on their personal tax returns, in proportion to their share of ownership.

Corporation (or C-Corporation)
A corporation is a business which is set up as a separate legal entity from its owners. The Board of Directors makes operational decisions. Owners are protected (shielded) from liabilities of the corporation, and the corporation pays corporate income taxes.

S-Corporation (or Subchapter-S Corporation)
A small business corporation may elect to be classified as an S-Corporation, to have the liability protection of corporate status, but taxed at individual rates.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A limited liability company is formed by "members" whose liability is limited to their investment. An LLC is often used in place of partnerships to limit liability, while having the option of being taxed through the personal tax returns of the members.