April 22, 2016
In recent years, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) has become a familiar form of ownership for real estate investors. Investors are concerned about liability and are looking for effective ways to protect their assets.
As the name implies, the LLC offers investors limited liability. Normally, LLC members limit their liability to the amount invested in the LLC. If the worst case scenario were to occur, investors can feel comfortable knowing that their liability will be limited to the assets they have invested in the LLC. While this amount may be substantial, it will not include your family home and investment portfolio.
Many investors will form an LLC for each of their real estate investments. The advantage here is that each investment will then be isolated from the others. If you become involved in a lawsuit with one of your LLCs, you can continue to operate your other investments to maximize your return. You are not worried that the assets of another of your investments might become involved in the lawsuit. To effectively limit your liability, each LLC should operate under its own Tax ID Number, with its own bank account.
One of the big advantages of the LLC as a form of ownership is that it offers pass-through taxation. This means that the owner is not liable for taxes at the business level. The pass-through allows the company profits or losses to be reported on the individual tax return, which is most likely at a lower rate. Some forms of corporate ownership would require double taxation at the business and the individual level.
Forming and maintaining an LLC is not complicated or onerous. With an LLC, you do not issue stock and hold annual meetings, and written minutes are not required. The management structure of an LLC is also very flexible. The organizational structure can be established as agreed upon by the company's owners. The LLC can be managed by its owners, members, or managers. The entity can be owned by a single individual or multiple owners or business entities, and then be managed by owning members or a member-appointed manager.
Anyone concerned about protecting their assets can form an LLC. The articles of organization, including the name and the registered agent, need to be filed with the state in which the LLC is being created. You will also need an operating agreement. Many states do not require the Operating Agreement to be filed with the Secretary of States, so it is important to keep the agreement in a safe place so you do not lose it. While you can do all of this yourself, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney to form an LLC.
In recent years, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) has become a familiar form of ownership for real estate investors. Investors are concerned about liability and are looking for effective ways to protect their assets.
As the name implies, the LLC offers investors limited liability. Normally, LLC members limit their liability to the amount invested in the LLC. If the worst case scenario were to occur, investors can feel comfortable knowing that their liability will be limited to the assets they have invested in the LLC. While this amount may be substantial, it will not include your family home and investment portfolio.
Many investors will form an LLC for each of their real estate investments. The advantage here is that each investment will then be isolated from the others. If you become involved in a lawsuit with one of your LLCs, you can continue to operate your other investments to maximize your return. You are not worried that the assets of another of your investments might become involved in the lawsuit. To effectively limit your liability, each LLC should operate under its own Tax ID Number, with its own bank account.
One of the big advantages of the LLC as a form of ownership is that it offers pass-through taxation. This means that the owner is not liable for taxes at the business level. The pass-through allows the company profits or losses to be reported on the individual tax return, which is most likely at a lower rate. Some forms of corporate ownership would require double taxation at the business and the individual level.
Forming and maintaining an LLC is not complicated or onerous. With an LLC, you do not issue stock and hold annual meetings, and written minutes are not required. The management structure of an LLC is also very flexible. The organizational structure can be established as agreed upon by the company's owners. The LLC can be managed by its owners, members, or managers. The entity can be owned by a single individual or multiple owners or business entities, and then be managed by owning members or a member-appointed manager.
Anyone concerned about protecting their assets can form an LLC. The articles of organization, including the name and the registered agent, need to be filed with the state in which the LLC is being created. You will also need an operating agreement. Many states do not require the Operating Agreement to be filed with the Secretary of States, so it is important to keep the agreement in a safe place so you do not lose it. While you can do all of this yourself, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney to form an LLC.
Disclosures:
Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions and other information in the investment commentary are as of April 21, 2016. This summary is intended to provide general information only and is reflective of the opinions of Commerce Trust Investment Policy Committee.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular security, is not based on any particular financial situation or needs, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor, or investment professional. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against all risk.
The information in this commentary should not be construed as an individualized recommendation of any kind. Strategies discussed here in a general manner may not be appropriate for everyone.
Commerce Trust does not provide tax advice or legal advice to customers. Consult a tax specialist regarding tax implications related to any product and specific financial situations.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness. or reliability cannot be guaranteed. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice depending upon worldwide market, economic, or political conditions.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and the opinions and other information in the investment commentary are as of April 21, 2016. This summary is intended to provide general information only and is reflective of the opinions of Commerce Trust Investment Policy Committee.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular security, is not based on any particular financial situation or needs, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor, or investment professional. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against all risk.
The information in this commentary should not be construed as an individualized recommendation of any kind. Strategies discussed here in a general manner may not be appropriate for everyone.
Commerce Trust does not provide tax advice or legal advice to customers. Consult a tax specialist regarding tax implications related to any product and specific financial situations.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness. or reliability cannot be guaranteed. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice depending upon worldwide market, economic, or political conditions.
