Starting a business? Get the structure right from day one.
Choosing between an LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp affects your taxes, your liability protection, and how easily you can raise money later. Most founders guess, or copy what a friend did. Answer a few quick questions and get a clear, general recommendation — then connect with a trusted formation service to file, free and with no obligation.
Call now: {{PPC_NUMBER}}Free & general information · No obligation · Not legal or tax advice
Which structure fits my business?
Answer a few quick questions about your business type, state, employees, and growth plans for a general, educational recommendation — no signup required to see your result.
Start the entity selector →General information only, not legal or tax advice. Using this tool doesn't create an advisory relationship.
The structure you pick shapes everything that follows
Your entity choice affects how you're taxed, how exposed your personal assets are, how easy it is to bring on investors or partners, and how much paperwork you'll deal with every year. Most founders spend more time picking a business name than picking a structure — and it's usually the more expensive mistake to fix later. Getting clear on the basics now can save real money and hassle down the road.
LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp: which fits your business?
Tell us a bit about your business and get a general, educational recommendation. This isn't legal or tax advice — the right choice depends on your full situation, and a licensed attorney or accountant can confirm what's best for you.
General educational recommendation only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm with a licensed attorney or accountant before filing.
Your recommendation appears here
Fill in the details on the left and a general, educational read on LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp will show up right here.
What are you trying to get done?
Business formation covers more ground than most people realize. Here's the full picture, in plain English.
S-Corp Election
A tax status, not a separate entity — here's how and when it can help. Learn more →
C-Corp Formation
The standard structure for startups planning to raise venture capital. Learn more →
Registered Agent Service
Nearly every state requires one — here's what that actually means. Learn more →
EIN / Tax Setup
Your federal tax ID number, and why you'll need it almost immediately. Learn more →
State-Specific Filing
Costs, timelines, and requirements vary a lot by state. See state guides →
Ownership Structure
How single-member and multi-member LLCs are treated differently. Learn more →
State incorporation cost estimator
Get a general sense of what forming a business in your state typically involves. These are illustrative ranges, not exact quotes — always confirm current fees with your state's business filing agency.
LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp
| LLC | S-Corp (tax election) | C-Corp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liability protection | Generally yes, for owners | Generally yes, for owners | Generally yes, for owners |
| Taxation | Pass-through by default | Pass-through, may reduce self-employment tax | Corporate tax, then dividends taxed again |
| Ownership | Flexible, few restrictions | Limited to 100 U.S. shareholders | Unlimited shareholders, can issue stock classes |
| Good fit for | Most small & solo businesses | Profitable small businesses managing self-employment tax | Startups raising venture capital |
| Ongoing paperwork | Generally lighter | Payroll & additional filings required | Heaviest — board, bylaws, minutes |
A simplified, general overview — the right structure depends on your full situation, and requirements vary significantly by state. Speak with a licensed attorney or accountant before filing.
Do I need a registered agent?
Check any that apply for a general, educational read on your registered agent situation.
Clear, plain-English answers, any time
Ask how LLCs and corporations generally differ, what a registered agent does, or how S-Corp election works. For your specific situation, FormAdvisor AI will point you to a formation specialist.
AI Business Structure Assistant · general information · not legal or tax advice
Trusted formation services
We don't rank or endorse one service as universally "best" — each has strengths depending on your needs. As an affiliate partner, we may earn a commission if you use one of these services, at no extra cost to you.
LegalZoom
One of the most established online formation services, with add-on legal plans.
Visit LegalZoom →ZenBusiness
Formation packages with ongoing compliance support at competitive pricing.
Visit ZenBusiness →Incfile
Straightforward LLC and corporation filing with transparent pricing tiers.
Visit Incfile →Northwest Registered Agent
Known for registered agent service and privacy-conscious filing support.
Visit Northwest →We are an independent information resource. Mentioning a service here is not an endorsement or ranking, and inclusion doesn't guarantee it's the right fit for your business. See our advertising & affiliate disclosure.
Books & guides founders reach for
Formation services handle the paperwork — these books and references help with everything around it, from choosing a structure to keeping the books. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Choosing and setting up your entity
📘 Start Your Own Business Guide
The well-known Nolo-style guide to launching and structuring a small business.
Amazon →📗 Form Your Own LLC Guide Book
A step-by-step reference for LLC formation and operating agreements.
Amazon →⚖️ LLC vs S-Corp Guide Book
A plain-English comparison book for founders weighing entity types.
Amazon →📄 Business Formation Document Organizer
A binder/organizer for keeping formation and compliance paperwork in order.
Amazon →Keeping the books straight
📊 Bookkeeping for Small Business Owners
A beginner-friendly guide to tracking income, expenses, and recordkeeping.
Amazon →🧾 Small Business Tax Guide Book
A plain-English reference on small business tax basics and deductions.
Amazon →🧮 Accounting Basics for Small Business
An accessible introduction to small-business accounting fundamentals.
Amazon →🪪 EIN & Business Tax Filing Reference
A reference guide covering EIN basics and federal filing requirements.
Amazon →Raising money and scaling
💼 Venture Deals Reference Book
A widely recommended book on how venture capital term sheets and fundraising work.
Amazon →🚀 Startup Fundraising Guide Book
A reference book on the startup fundraising process from seed to Series A.
Amazon →📈 Entrepreneurship & Startup Growth Book
A general read on building and scaling an early-stage company.
Amazon →🏛️ C-Corp Startup Formation Guide
A general guide to forming and running a C-Corp for venture-backed startups.
Amazon →Planning, naming, and organizing
📝 Business Plan Writing Guide Book
A reference for building a clear, investor-ready business plan.
Amazon →📋 Business Plan Template Book
A structured workbook with fill-in templates for a first business plan.
Amazon →🏷️ Business Naming & Branding Guide
A guide to naming and branding a new business the right way.
Amazon →🗄️ Home Office & Business Organization Kit
Desk and filing organization products for a new home-based business.
Amazon →These are general product category suggestions, not endorsements of specific titles or editions. See our advertising & affiliate disclosure.
Incorporating by state
Formation requirements, fees, and franchise taxes vary a lot by state. Browse our state guides, or talk to a formation specialist now.
Business formation FAQ
Should I form an LLC or a corporation?
Do I need to incorporate in Delaware?
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
Do I need a registered agent?
What's the difference between forming an LLC and getting an EIN?
The Business Formation Starter Guide
A clear, no-jargon guide: how to choose between LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp, a step-by-step incorporation checklist, and the exact questions to ask before hiring a formation service. Yours instantly.
- How to choose your business structure
- A step-by-step incorporation checklist
- What a registered agent actually does
- 10 questions to ask before hiring a formation service
Get the free guide
Two easy ways to get answers about your business
Whether you'd like a specialist to review your plans and call you back, or you'd rather talk right now — we've got you.
Want a specialist to review your plans?
Tell us a little about your business and a member of our team can follow up — free, no obligation.
Prefer to talk right now?
Speak with a business formation specialist immediately — free, no obligation.
Call now {{PPC_NUMBER}}Available nationwide · General information, not legal or tax advice