Definition

What Is An LLC?

A Limited Liability Company, or LLC for short, is a business structure that provides its owners with the same limited liability protection as a corporation but one that is much easier to set up and administer. For example, an LLC also offers a ton of tax flexibility as it operates on a “pass-through” system. This means that all profits and losses from the business are reported on the owner’s personal tax returns, simplifying the process of filing taxes.

Advantages

What Are The Advantages Of A Pressure Washing LLC?

LLCs offer many advantages to pressure washing businesses. Below are the ones you really want to know about:

Disadvantages

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Pressure Washing LLC?

While LLCs have their advantages, they have their limitations as well. While most of them don’t necessarily apply to most pressure washing businesses, it’s still best to know about them. 

For example, one major drawback of forming an LLC for your pressure washing business is that there are restrictions on transferring ownership to another person or entity. Depending on the state in which you file your pressure washing LLC, this may mean that you have to go through the process of dissolving your current LLC and then filing a new one if you decide to transfer ownership. This can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s something to remember when considering whether this entity is right for your business. 

Forming an LLC usually involves paying higher fees than other entities, such as sole proprietorships or partnerships. This can add up quickly over time, which could cut your profits if not considered when budgeting.

LLC Formation

How to Form a Pressure Washing LLC

Unlike corporations, LLCs have fewer steps before you can get registered.

1. Choosing a name for your LLC
2. Hire a Registered Agent
3. Filing your Certificate of Formation
4. Obtain an EIN

Choosing a name for your LLC

The first step in forming your pressure washing LLC is choosing a name. Your name should be unique but also reflect the services of your company. You can search online to make sure no other businesses have already claimed the name you want.

Hire a Registered Agent

Once you have chosen a name, you must hire a registered agent to file the paperwork with your state government and register your LLC. The registered agent should have experience setting up businesses like yours and understand what type of paperwork needs to be filed with your state government.

Filing your Certificate of Formation

After hiring a registered agent, they will prepare and submit an article of organization which includes information about the business, such as its name, address, management structure, etc. This document must be filed within certain deadlines, or additional fees may be associated with late filing. 

After filing this document, the state government will issue your company’s official Certificate of Formation, proving that it has been officially registered and exists under state law.

Obtain an EIN

Lastly, once everything else has been taken care of, you must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. The EIN serves as a unique identification number for your business, similar to a social security number for individuals. It is used to open a bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. You can obtain this number by applying on the IRS website. Once submitted, you can expect to receive confirmation of your EIN within a few days.

LLC Taxes

How Are Pressure Washing LLCs Taxed?

Limited liability companies enjoy some of the simplest tax processes among all business structures. Depending on where you live, you’ll likely only be concerned with the following:

Franchise Tax

The franchise tax is a fee paid to the state where your business is located based on your LLC’s net worth. The amount of franchise tax owed varies by state and generally ranges from $0-$800. No minimum or maximum amount of franchise tax must be paid in many states, but some states have limits. Some areas don’t even require Franchise Tax.

Sales Tax

Sales tax applies when customers purchase goods or services from your pressure washing business, like stain removal, ceiling, floor, tile, carpet cleaning, etc., and must be charged in addition to the price listed for each item or service offered. The sales tax rate varies by state, and some states may require businesses to collect local and state-level sales taxes. Failure to charge and remit appropriate levels of sales tax can result in significant fines and penalties.

Income Tax

Finally, income tax applies when your pressure-washing business makes a profit (or net income). This type of taxation generally depends on the total revenue earned by the company over a given time, as well as any deductions taken for operational expenses such as rent or employee wages. Income taxes are usually filed annually with the IRS at the federal level and with individual states at the regional level if necessary.

Costs

What Are The Costs Of Forming A Pressure Washing LLC?

There are various costs associated with forming an LLC. Therefore, thorough research should be carried out to minimize expenses. Professional advice from lawyers and accountants can also be extremely useful in ensuring the most cost-effective approach.

Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a great way to protect your interests when starting a pressure washing business. However, taking your time to determine if a pressure washing LLC will provide the best protection for your business is also necessary since this structure offers only limited personal liability. The good thing about it is that it’s typically more straightforward to form, maintain, and even dissolve compared to other entity types. Researching and understanding LLCs’ terms before committing to one is important, as several factors can influence an LLC’s cost and functionality.

The costs and finances of an LLC vary in each state, so be sure to check the details for the state you are interested in forming an LLC:

Comparisons

Is LLC The Best Entity For Me?

Maybe, LLC isn’t the right entity for you. Maybe it is a C-Corp. Only way to find out is to directly compare them all.