Business Law: Articles and FAQs
Accounting Terms Every Businessperson Should Know
This quick glossary of common business accounting terms will get you up to speed if you're new to the business world.
Avoid Trademark Infringement When You Choose a Domain Name
How to choose a domain name and stay out of trouble.
Business Financing FAQ
Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about raising money for your small business.
Business Income Defined
There are many different kinds of business income, and almost all of them are taxable.
Choosing and Registering a Domain Name
How to pick, register, and protect your website's unique address.
Choosing the Best Ownership Structure for Your Business
The right structure -- corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship -- has a lot to do with who will own your business and what its activities will be.
Closing Your Business: What You Need to Do
Follow these steps to close your business safely and legally.
Consumer Credit Laws
If your business extends credit to its customers, you'll need to comply with federal consumer credit laws.
Current vs. Capitalized Expenses
When you may deduct a given expense depends in part on what type of expense it is: current or capitalized.
Email Privacy
If you want privacy, don't count on email. Here's why.
Evaluating Your Business Idea FAQ
Thinking about starting your own business? Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you get started.
Finding and Renting Space for Your Business FAQ
Answers to commonly asked questions about choosing and registering a successful business name.
Getting Permission to Publish: Ten Tips for Webmasters
Think you can use someone else's work on your website without a licensing agreement? Think again.
Hobby Business Rules
Be ready to prove your hobby is a business if you want to write off your hobby losses.
Insuring Your Home Business
Be sure to treat your home business like a business -- including obtaining appropriate insurance for it.
Internet Business Method Patents
A company that develops a new way of conducting e-commerce may be able to prevent others from using it for almost two decades.
Loans and Equity Investments Compared
How to choose between getting a loan or selling part of your business to an equity investor.
Meta Tags and Customer Confusion
Improper use of someone else's trademark in your meta tags can land you in legal hot water. Here's what you need to know.
Negotiating the Best Commercial Lease Terms
Negotiating a good lease can save you money. Learn where landlords are willing to make concessions.
Nondisclosure Agreements
Learn about the best way for a business to protect its trade secrets.
Pick a Legal Location and Avoid Zoning Trouble
Be sure your chosen location allows your type of business.
Promissory Notes
Whether you borrow money from a bank or someone you know, you should sign a promissory note -- a legally binding contract in which you promise to repay the money.
Raising Money for Your Small Business
Here's the lowdown on whether to borrow money or sell part of your business to an equity investor.
Raising Money Through Equity Investments
Bringing investors into your business gets you more than just money -- you get new co-owners, too.
Registering Your Business Name
You may need to register your business name with the local, state, or federal government -- especially if it's considered "fictitious."
Risky Businesses
Businesses that take chances start out with a strike against them.
Seven Rules for Legal Advertising
Be sure you comply with laws against deceptive or misleading advertising.
Small Business Insurance
No matter what type of business structure you choose, it pays to buy adequate insurance.
Small Business Taxes FAQ
Answers to common tax questions on tax deductions and more.
State Start-Up Requirements
Yet another governmental level to deal with.
Tax on Internet Sales
Here's the skinny on Internet sales tax: who pays it, who doesn't and why it makes a difference to state governments and brick-and-mortar retailers.
Ten Tips for Financially Troubled Businesses
If your company is facing financial difficulties, read these tips to keep out of trouble with the IRS, bankruptcy courts and your bank.
The Home-Office Tax Deduction
Running a business from home can save not only the cost of renting a separate office, but it can also save you tax dollars.
The Use of Electronic Signatures and Contracts
Contracts created online are now as legal as those on paper.
Top Ten Deductions for Your Business
Deducting expenses can save you money.
Trade Secret Basics FAQ
Questions and answers that explain what every business owner should know about trade secret law.
Types of Ownership Structures
Learn about the various types of legal structures available for your business: corporation, LLC, partnership and sole proprietorship.
Understanding Commercial Leases
Before you rent space for your business, be sure you understand these basic facts about commercial leases.
Understanding Small Business Tax Deductions
Thankfully, you can reduce your tax burden by deducting most of what you spend in the course of business.
Ways to Organize Your Business
What Auditors Look for When Examining a Business
Know what an IRS auditor looks for when examining your business and its records.
What to Do If the Domain Name You Want Is Taken
You may find that someone else has snapped up the domain name of your dreams. Here are your options.
When Is an ISP Liable for the Acts of Its Subscribers?
In the United States, two federal laws provide a powerful shield for ISPs that follow the rules. Here's how they work.
When You Can't Pay Your Business Debts: Personal Liability and Bankruptcy Options
If your business is in the red, take steps to protect your personal assets.
Corporation Basics
Forming a corporation limits your personal liability for business debts, but running one can be complicated.
Corporations FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about corporations: what they are, how they work, and whether or not you should incorporate your business.
Cut Taxes With Corporate Income Splitting
You can reduce overall income taxes by using two different levels of taxation: yours and your corporation's.
Earning Income as a Nonprofit Corporation
It's a myth that your 501(c)(3) organization can't make a profit, but some of it may be taxable.
Five Reasons to Incorporate Your Nonprofit Association
Not sure whether to form a nonprofit? Here's some information to help you decide.
How Corporations Are Taxed
It pays to learn the ups and downs of corporate taxation before you start your business.
How LLCs Are Taxed
Like the owners of sole proprietorships and partnerships, LLC owners report business income and losses on their personal tax returns.
How Partnerships Are Taxed
Learn the essentials of this complicated subject before you file your tax return.
How Sole Proprietors Are Taxed
Sole proprietors pay taxes on business income on their personal tax returns.
Limited Liability Company FAQ
Answers to common questions about starting and running an LLC.
LLC Basics
Limited liability companies combine the best aspects of partnerships and corporations.
Nonprofit Basics
Becoming a nonprofit corporation requires some paperwork, but for many groups, the benefits are worth it.
Partnership Basics
A business with more than one owner that is not incorporated or organized as an LLC is, by default, a partnership.
Partnerships FAQ
Before you start a business with others, get the answers to commonly asked questions about partnerships.
Plan for Changes in LLC Ownership With Buy-Sell Provisions
Every business needs a "premarital agreement" that covers what happens when an owner wants out.
Plan for Changes in Partnership Ownership With a Buy-Sell Agreement
Your partnership agreement isn't complete unless it governs what happens when a partner leaves the business.
Plan for Ownership Changes With a Shareholders' Agreement
"Buy-sell" provisions control changes in the ownership of a corporation -- they act as a "premarital agreement" between shareholders.
Professional Corporations
In many states, professionals who want to incorporate their practices must create what's called a professional corporation.
Running a Business With Your Spouse
Your spouse can participate in your sole proprietorship -- a little.
Running a Corporation
Failure to follow corporate formalities or to keep adequate records and minutes of meetings can result in the loss of your limited liability status.
Running Your Nonprofit Corporation
Learn how to protect your tax-exempt status while running a successful nonprofit.
S Corporation Facts
To avoid two-tiered corporate taxation, you may want to consider electing S corporation status.
Sole Proprietorship Basics
If you're going into business on your own, the simplest legal structure is the sole proprietorship.
Sole Proprietorships FAQ
If you operate as a sole proprietorship, you and your business are legally inseparable.
Special Allocations
You must carefully follow IRS rules if you want to divide profits and losses in a way that's disproportionate to the owners' interests in the business.
When Your Spouse Helps Out With Your LLC
Be careful to avoid problems with legal and tax liability.