BUSINESS TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
This list was compiled to help new business owners and entrepreneurs with information on starting a business. It is by no means a complete list, but meant to be used as a resource.
Accrual-Based Accounting
A method of accounting that records/recognizes income as its earned and expenses as incurred, regardless of whether or not cash was exchanged.
Allocations
Allocation of profit and or loss of a business to its member’s Owner’s Equity Account.
Annual Franchise Tax
Annual fee paid to the state to keep your LLC in good standing.
Articles of Incorporation
Documents filed with the state to formally create a Corporation. In some states, the articles are called a “Certificate of Organization.”
Articles of Incorporation
Documents filed with the Secretary of State to formally create a LLC. In some states, the articles are called a “Certificate of Organization.”
Budget
Estimated sales and costs of running a business during a specified period of time.
Business License
A permit issued by city, state or county authorizing a business to operate.
Calendar Year
A 12-month period designated by a business as its accounting period, beginning January 1 and ending December 31.
Capital Contributions
Money or property contributed to LLC by an owner/member or contributed to a corporation by a shareholder.
Cash-Based Accounting
A method of accounting for transactions. Revenue is recognized and expenses are incurred only when cash changes hands, thus cash is received or cash is paid.
Consent
A written document itemizing out approved company related events, such as the appointment of Officers, ending the company, adding or removing Members, etc. Can be called a Board Consent in Corporations.
DBA/FBN
Stands for “Doing Business As” Statement or “Fictitious Business Name” Statement. If you use a Trade Name for your business, you may require a DBA or FBN to be filed in your county or state. Also can be called an Assumed Name.
Disregarded Entity
LLCs treated as a Disregarded Entity – designates that the LLC is a Single-Member (owner) LLC and all income and expenses of the LLC will be reported on the member’s tax return as a sole proprietorship, i.e. Schedule C business.
Distributions
Money PAID out to members of LLC.
Domestic LLC
LLC operating in the state that it was initially organized.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
A unique tax Identification number issued by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes.
Excise Taxes
A sales tax paid by a consumer as an additional cost of a taxable product, collected by a merchant during the sale of that product. In return, the merchant pays the government said collected tax.
Fictitious Name
A name used by a business that is not its personal or legal name.
Fiscal Year
A 12-month period designated by a business as its accounting period. Typically, businesses use a calendar year of January 1 – December 31.
Foreign LLC
LLC operating in a state which is different than the state it was organized. If you have employees or operations in multiple states other than your state of residence or where the LLC was organized, your LLC will be registered as a Foreign LLC in those states.
Freelancer
An individual providing services on a project basis for a specified fee. Also called Independent Contractor.
Independent Contractor
An individual providing services on a project basis for a specified fee. They provide their own equipment and set their own hours, performing work agreed upon. They should not be confused with an employee.
Limited Liability Company (“LLC”)
A state registered business that offers pass-through tax benefits while offering protection of personal liability from business debits. It can be used to run a business or to hold assets. It is critical that a separation of personal and business is maintained, funds are not comingled and filings and payments are made on time to be in good standing. It is formed by filing formation documents with a State and paying the registration/filing fee.
Members
Owners of LLC. Can be one or multiple.
Member-Managed LLC
When the member(s) of the LLC equally manage the operations
Managers
Non-owners of the LLC that are managing the daily operations of the business.
Manager- Managed LLC
When an LLC is managed by one member and other members do not participate but share in profits OR a non- member manages the LLC.
Operating Agreement
An internal document defining your LLCs operating terms, member ownership percentage, management policies and procedures. It helps protect your legal rights and responsibilities.
Outsource
Paying another individual or company to provide services for your company.
Owner Capital / Equity
Balance Sheet Account that tracks the equity of its members. Each member should have its own account. (owner contributions + allocations of profits and losses – distributions)
Pass-Through Entity
When a company does not pay taxes directly to the IRS but passes income through to its members to be filed as income on their individual tax returns.
Payroll Taxes
Taxes paid to the IRS on wages paid to employees. These can include various types of taxes and are sometimes paid by the employee, employer or split amongst the two. As an employer, the payment to the IRS is made by the employer on a quarterly basis.
Publication of Notice
A formal public notice displayed for a specified period of time. This can provide legal notice that you are using a business name, typically required for DBA/FBN and sometimes required in states registering LLCs.
Quarterly Tax Payments
Certain businesses (Sole Proprietorships and LLCs included) are required to make quarterly tax payments based on estimates to the IRS.
Registered Agent
Person or company you designate to accept, receive and remit filings and legal correspondence on behalf of your LLC or Corporation. Each state has an approved listing of Registered Agents.
Reseller’s Permit / Sales Tax Id
Required by some states before your business sells taxable goods. As a seller of taxable goods, you are required to collect and pay sales tax on taxable goods sold.
Social Security Taxes
Tax collected from both employees and employers to fund the Social Security program. For small businesses treated as pass-through entities, the small business owners or LLC members are required to pay 100% of this self-employment tax. However as an employee, a company typically splits this cost with an employee 50/50 by withholding payroll tax and then paying the total amount directly to the IRS.
Sole Proprietorship
A person who owns and operates an unincorporated business by himself or herself. The business is seen in every sense as the person and vice versa.
Statement of Good Standing
A formal statement issued by the Secretary of State stating that your business is in good standing as of a specified date (i.e. has paid its taxes and made filings on time). Can be required of LLCs and Corporations during business dealings.
Statement of Information
An annual or biennial filing of information required for LLCs and Corporations with the Secretary of State that updates Member and Contact Information. A small fee determined by the state is associated with this filing.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of your LLC. Some states allow general purpose statements like the following: “The purpose of the Limited Liability Company is to engage in any lawful activity for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized in this state.”
Trade Name
A Trade Name is used by companies to perform their business under a name that differs from the registered, legal name of the person or business. Some states also call this an assumed name.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this business academy, website and supportive material is for informational purposes only and not to be considered in any way the providing of legal, accounting or other professional advice. You should contact your attorney or CPA to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.