How to Form a Indiana Professional LLC

At this moment in time, a PLLC is not an option in Indiana. The good news is that you have other options. In states that don’t have PLLCs, sometimes licensed professionals can form standard LLCs instead. This guide will give you a better look at some PLLC alternatives in the state of Indiana.

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Should You Just Form an LLC?

PLLCs and LLCs are very similar entity types. The main difference is that only licensed professionals may form PLLCs.

In states that offer both entity types, the formation process is largely the same. Forming a PLLC simply requires a few additional steps, such as providing evidence of professional licensure or obtaining approval by the applicable state licensing board.

The LLC is a popular business type for licensed professionals because it offers the following benefits:

Flexibility

It’s relatively easy to form and maintain. It’s also suitable for a variety of ownership structures, from one-person businesses to multiple classes of owners.

How the business is managed is flexible as well — your LLC can be managed by the owners (which are called the “members” of the your LLC), or the members can appoint managers (much like the board of directors of a corporation). The members can agree to govern the LLC however they’d like by preparing and signing an operating agreement.

Liability Protection

Limited liability companies are designed to protect the personal assets of their owners. This means if your business is sued, creditors can only go after the assets of the company. Your personal assets as a member — such as your personal bank accounts, home, and other property — can’t be seized to pay liabilities or debts of the company.

One important exception is that each member is personally liable for their own malpractice, and no member is liable for the malpractice of any other member. For this reason, it’s wise for each member to maintain their own professional liability insurance.

Taxes

Many business owners like the LLC structure because these types of companies are generally classified as “pass through” entities for tax purposes. This means that the income and losses of the LLC are “passed through” to the members, and the members report the income and losses on their personal tax returns. In other words, any income tax is paid by the members, and not the entity itself.

A corporation’s income, on the other hand, is generally subject to “double taxation”. The corporation pays taxes on its income on the entity level, and if the corporation distributes profits to shareholders by paying a dividend, the shareholders must pay taxes on the dividend as well.

If you decide the LLC is the right structure for your Indiana business, the formation process is relatively straightforward. To form an LLC, you can complete the six-step process outlined in our step-by-step guide yourself, enlist the help of an attorney, or use an LLC formation service.

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More InfoWe do everything needed to file your application with the state and make your business official. Standard LLC Filing
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More InfoKeeps you compliant with all state-required annual report and amendment filings to maintain LLC protections and avoid fines. Worry-Free Compliance
More InfoThis essential document is like the constitution for your business. Operating Agreement
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Your Other Options

Another business structure that’s popular among licensed professionals is the professional corporation. Professional corporations, like other corporations, are subject to more legal requirements than LLCs regarding how their businesses can be run and managed.

Our How to Form a Professional Corporation in Indiana guide can help you decide if a professional corporation is right for your business.

If you have a one-person business, you may also choose to just operate as a sole proprietorship. A sole proprietorship is not a legal business entity formed with the state, and there’s no distinction between the business and the sole owner for legal or tax purposes. This is the simplest form of operating a one-person business and gives the owner complete control. However, a major disadvantage is that the owner of a sole proprietorship is subject to unlimited liability for all of the liabilities and debts of the business.

If your business has more than one owner, you can also form a partnership. The following three types of partnerships are offered in Indiana:

General Partnership: A general partnership, or GP, consists of at least two owners, which can be either individuals or entities. Like a sole proprietorship, a GP is not a legal business entity that is formed with the state. Who controls the GP and how it’s managed can be outlined in a partnership agreement, but if there’s no partnership agreement, the partners generally share equal control and management rights. As with a sole proprietorship, the owners are subject to unlimited personal liability, meaning that their personal property can be seized to pay the liabilities and debts of the GP.

Limited Partnership: A limited partnership, or LP, is a legal business entity that consists of at least one general partner and at least one limited partner. The general partners control and manage the LP, while the limited partners can only have very minimal participation in running the business. In exchange for giving up management control, the limited partners only risk their financial investment in the LP. General partners, on the other hand, are responsible for all of the liabilities and debt of the LP.

Limited Liability Partnership: A limited liability partnership, or LLP, is a business entity that is a legal “person” separate from its partners. Each partner of the LLP is an individual or entity admitted to the LLP. All partners can actively manage the LLP, but the LLP should have a limited liability partnership agreement that defines the role of each partner. The liability of each partner can be limited to his or her respective financial contribution.

Many professional businesses with two or more owners choose to form an LP or LLP because like an LLC, they offer limited liability, “pass through taxation,” and flexibility. Each type of entity has legal and tax implications, so if possible, you should consult with an attorney and accountant to discuss your specific situation.

Resources for Indiana Professional Business Owners

We also recommend contacting your profession’s state licensing board to discuss their requirements before forming an entity for the purpose of rendering professional services.

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, or PLA, coordinates licensing for many professions in Indiana. Contact information for these professions’ state licensing boards is available on the PLA website. You can also contact some common professional regulatory boards in Indiana using the information below.

Indiana Board of Law ExaminersOffice of Admissions and Continuing Education 251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 550 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317-232-2552 Email: ble@courts.in.gov
Medical Licensing Board of IndianaIndiana Professional Licensing Agency Attn: Medical Licensing Board of Indiana 402 W. Washington Street, W072 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone: 317-234-2060 Email: pla3@pla.in.gov
Indiana State Board of DentistryProfessional Licensing Agency Attn: Indiana State Board Of Dentistry 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone: 317-234-2054 Email: pla8@pla.in.gov
Indiana Board of AccountancyIndiana Professional Licensing Agency Attn: Board of Accountancy 402 W Washington Street, Room W072 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone: 317-234-8800 Email: pla14@pla.in.gov
Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical ExaminersIndiana Professional Licensing Agency Attn: Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone: 317-234-2054 Email: pla8@pla.IN.gov

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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Written by Team ZenBusiness

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