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Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

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11–20 of 57 posts

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#11
post #10

Somewhere around the 100k revenue point. I don't recall the exact reason, it was getting more serious at that point, I guess. I wish I'd done it earlier, as certain loans (SBA) are only eligible if you're at least 2 years old. If you might pursue bank funding later for this, incorporate as soon as possible.

On the flip side, what would the downsides be of incorporating early?

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#12
post #10

Somewhere around the 100k revenue point. I don't recall the exact reason, it was getting more serious at that point, I guess. I wish I'd done it earlier, as certain loans (SBA) are only eligible if you're at least 2 years old. If you might pursue bank funding later for this, incorporate as soon as possible.

On the flip side, what would the downsides be of incorporating early?

Depending on where you live, as soon as you incorporate, you have to start paying taxes. If you're not making money, it's just an additional burden and likely extra money involved.

You may also have to submit paperwork to the government every year describing your business in some fashion. Failure to do so might land you in some hot water. Basically, almost every business is subject to at least some kind of regulation in most jurisdictions, even if it's just bare minimum.

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#14
I incorporated at the very beginning, after a few beers at 2am. Ignorant of the law, I thought it was necessary to form right away. If I was doing it again, I would still at least have an LLC or equivalent entity for liability protection and to "look official". It has also come in handy for consulting work.

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#15
post #4

I have one corporate entity that I use for both my "side projects" and for consulting work. Mostly did it to ensure limited liability. Also, if one of the projects goes big, it will make things easier later on. Also, if we're talking about iPhone apps and such, a corporate name looks more professional in the app store.

I realize it’s state specific, but what were your approximate total charges for incorporating?

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#17
Formed a Florida S-Corp for my side project about 5 months ago (Single member LLCs in Florida don't provide as much liability protection as they do in the rest of the country).

Started accepting sign-ups about 5 days ago. Have had 2 trial sign-ups, $0 revenue so far

Maybe I should advertise? :D

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#18
I had a side project that made some money and was eventually sold. Of course it became an official business entity much after I started working on it. I don't remember the exact timing.

At a later time, when I was applying for a job at a big company, I was informed by HR there was a mistake on my resume. They said I had the wrong start date on my one man company! I assume they looked at the incorporation date and then thought I was fudging my resume.

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#19
I haven't incorporated and don't intend to. I don't need limited liability, and I am not working with companies that require me to incorporate.

Incorporation would mean a ton of paper work, more taxes (in Canada at least), more complications, and 3x the accountant's fees.

For what it's worth, my project nets 200k, is 3 year-old, and I have a degree in accounting and taxation.

Re: Ask HN: At what point did you incorporate for your startup or side project?

#20

I incorporated at the very beginning, after a few beers at 2am. Ignorant of the law, I thought it was necessary to form right away. If I was doing it again, I would still at least have an LLC or equivalent entity for liability protection and to "look official". It has also come in handy for consulting work.

How did you incorporate at 2am?
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