Archive for December, 2008

What About Buying a “Shelf Company”?

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

In the past, many of those needing to incorporate a company fast could purchase a shelf company, or a previously formed corporation or LLC that is in existence already.

A shelf company still provides some advantages even though online incorporation services like MaxFilings make it easy to quickly form a corporation or LLC online.

If you wish to acquire a company with some age, shelf companies that have existed for many years can be found. They may also have established bank accounts, federal tax identification numbers and tax returns. However, the older the company and the more it offers, the higher the price.

While there are some advantages, buying a shelf company is initially more costly and troublesome than simply forming a new corporation or LLC online. A shelf company requires some house cleaning tasks, such as transfer of ownership of shares, replacing directors and members and changing the business name.

If you are interested in buying a shelf company, you should consult with a qualified professional to ensure you are properly weighing the pros and cons.

Form your corporation or LLC online easily at MaxFilings.

Equipment Leasing vs. Equipment Loans

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Financing equipment for your business is a crucial decision. Is it better to lease or take out a loan and buy it outright?

Financing requires at least a down payment that is 10-20% of the value of the equipment, which takes cash away from other vital things and reduces your available line of credit. On the other hand, leasing requires an initial outlay of 1%. Also, payments for leasing can be smaller and spread over a larger period of time.

Leasing also means you do not necessarily have to keep the equipment, as opposed to a loan. It’s much easier to replace equipment once it is obsolete under a leasing arrangement than if you own it.

There are also tax advantages. The IRS treats an operating lease as a tax deductible overhead expense rather than a purchase, thus 100% of lease payments are tax deductible. Also, since a lease is not considered a long-term debt, it does not appear on the company’s balance sheet as such, improving financial health.

Leasing gives your business valuable flexibility as you position yourself in the marketplace.

Find great information and resources on financing solutions at MaxFilings.