LLC full form is Limited Liability Company. It is one of the most popular business structures in the United States (U.S.). The concept of LLC, as it’s known today, originated in Wyoming - a state in the U.S. This state was the first state to enact the LLC legislation in 1977. To learn about LLCs, their key features, advantages and disadvantages, check out this blog post.
LLC full form is Limited Liability Company. This business structure is specific to the United States. An LLC can be defined as a hybrid business structure combining the pass-through taxation benefits of a partnership or sole proprietorship with the limited liability protection that is generally associated with corporations.
In the US, the states have varying laws for governing limited-liability companies. In India, instead of LLCs, we have limited liability partnerships (LLPs) governed by the LLP Act 2008. This Act came into effect on 31 March 2009.
Here are the key features of the LLCs:
It offers limited personal liability protection. This means the personal assets of the individual members are usually not at risk in case the LLC company incurs debt or losses.
LLCs do not make tax payments directly to the tax authorities.
For the purpose of taxation, an LLC is regarded as a pass-through entity. The profits and losses pass through to the individual members who report this income during the tax return filing.
LLCs are more flexible and they need to fulfill less compliance requirements as compared to big corporations.
In the US, the exact regulations for LLCs vary from one state to another.
The advantages of LLC companies including the following:
The biggest benefit of an LLC is probably the limited personal liability it offers to its members against the business debts of the company.
Establishing an LLC is generally easy. Also, operating it is easier compared to operating a corporation.
The members of the LLC can run the company. They can also hire a manager to handle daily affairs of the business. Some members of the LLC may decide to be more involved or less involved than other members.
When compared to a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, an LLC offers greater credibility.
When compared to the corporations, the LLCs are usually subject to less record-keeping. This allows the LLCs to focus more on achieving its essential business goals.
To attract potential investors, incorporating an LLC is a great option. Since the LLC structure offers the limited-liability protection, the investors are more likely to invest in it.
It is easier for the LLCs to get loans from the banks as compared to sole proprietorships.
An LLC allows you to invite new members to join the company or transfer ownership interest without the requirement of making big changes to the company structure.
An LLC helps the business owners with financial management. This is because this business structure separates the business finances from the personal finances.
While an LLC offers many advantages, it also has certain disadvantages. Some of the most common disadvantages of an LLC include the following:
Depending on the law applicable in the state, a Limited-Liability Company may need to be dissolved upon the death or bankruptcy of a member. In contrast to this, a corporation can continue to exist indefinitely.
When it comes to the pass-through taxation, the members of the LLC company need to pay self employment taxes in addition to the personal income taxes.
If the operating agreement is not properly drafted, executed, and understood by all members, there is a risk that roles and responsibilities may be unclear to the members. Additionally, the operating agreement may specify penalties in case of failure to make required capital contributions.
If the main goal of members is to launch a publicly traded company, then LLC structure may not be appropriate because of lack of the ability to issue stocks.
LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. The concept of LLC was first introduced in Wyoming, USA, in the year 1977. An LLC offers combined benefits of a partnership and a corporation. It is more flexible and has fewer compliance requirements when compared to the corporations. In India, instead of the LLCs, we have Limited Liability Partnerships governed by the Limited Liability Partnership Act of 2008. If you are interested in LLP registration, you can connect with our experts at Registrationwala!
Q1. What does LLC stand for?
A. LLC stands for Limited Liability Company.
Q2. Where and when was the concept of LLC introduced in the US?
A. The concept of LLC was introduced in Wyoming, US, in the year 1977.
Q3. What is the Indian equivalent of the American LLC?
A. The Limited Liability Partnership is the Indian equivalent of the American LLC.
Q4. Which authority registers LLCs in the US?
A. The Secretary of State's office usually registers LLCs in the US.