Ohio Rev Code § 1701.11 states that a corporation's directors MAY adopt regulations. But Ohio statutes don't explicitly state that bylaws or regulations are required. However, bylaws are essential for a well-functioning corporation.
What do you need to start your own corporation? To start a corporation, you typically need a unique business name, articles of incorporation, corporate bylaws, information about initial directors and shareholders, and the funds to fulfill all legal and filing requirements.
Corporations offer more flexibility when it comes to their excess profits. Whereas all income in an LLC flows through to the members, an S corporation is allowed to pass income and losses to its shareholders, who report taxes on an individual tax return at ordinary levels.
Incorporating yourself means setting up your business as a distinct legal entity, such as a corporation. As of 2023, there were more than 33 million small businesses in the US. Incorporating protects your personal assets, so if the business runs into trouble, your personal property and savings aren't at risk.
If you run your business as a corporation, or decide to treat your LLC as one, then you need to prepare a separate corporate tax return on Form 1120 (or Form 1120S if you are an S-Corp, or Form 1065 for a partnership and/or multi-member LLC).
You don't often think of corporations as a one-person show, but guess what? It's totally possible. Your business can be comprised of only you—provided you get along well with yourself. You can be the CEO, Treasurer, Secretary, and the only shareholder of the company.
Moreover, if you're a business owner, you may wonder why it would benefit your business to incorporate. Sole proprietors can incorporate themselves, and there are a number of benefits to doing so.
Business entities in Ohio are not required to file an annual report. However, certain types of entities and registrations are required to file reports at different intervals.
Form 1120 is similar to Schedule C, as you calculate your business income the same way. However, this form is often more complicated because it requires more details than Schedule C, and you must file it separately from your personal income tax return.
Claiming all eligible business expenses is key to reducing your overall tax bill. Deductible business expenses include office supplies, employee wages, travel, and professional fees. These can be deducted from your taxable income, helping to reduce your company's taxable profit.