A shareholders agreement is a legally binding, private document that sets out further powers, rights and obligations that the owners have to each other and the company, beyond those that already exist under law or through the articles of association.
What to Think about When You Begin Writing a Shareholder Agreement. Name Your Shareholders. Specify the Responsibilities of Shareholders. The Voting Rights of Your Shareholders. Decisions Your Corporation Might Face. Changing the Original Shareholder Agreement. Determine How Stock can be Sold or Transferred.
The S corp shareholder agreement is a contract between the shareholders of an S corporation. The contents of the shareholder agreement differ from one S corporation to another. The shareholders are also able to decide what goes into the shareholder agreement, which is also referred to as the stockholder agreement.
We have 5 steps. Step 1: Decide on the issues the agreement should cover. Step 2: Identify the interests of shareholders. Step 3: Identify shareholder value. Step 4: Identify who will make decisions - shareholders or directors. Step 5: Decide how voting power of shareholders should add up.
Per IRS guidelines, S corporation owners (shareholders) must meet the following criteria: Number 100 or less. Must be US citizens/residents (cannot be non-resident aliens). Cannot be C corporations, other S corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships or certain trusts.
What Should I Include in a Shareholders Agreement? Director and Management Structure. Buy-Sell Provisions. Financing. Share Transfer Restrictions. Dispute Resolution. Confidentiality. Company Contracts. Meetings of Directors and/or Shareholders.
Drafting shareholder agreements without expert advice could put you at risk of including provisions which may be deemed by a court as invalid.
What is included in a shareholder agreement? Decision making. The shareholder agreement states how business decisions are made. Joining the business. Provide for what happens in the event of death or incapacity. Settle internal disputes. Anticipating certain situations.