New Nebraska Law’s Impact on Filing Requirements for Corporations and Partnerships

LB 512 signed into law on May 30^th, 2019, requires all S Corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships with Nebraska source income to file a Nebraska return for all tax years beginning on or after January 1^st, 2019.

Previously, S Corps, LLCs, and partnerships had to file a Nebraska income tax return if they had nonresident owners and were apportioning income.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue (DOR) encourages all S corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships to e-file their pass-through entity returns. A Nebraska state ID is required when e-filing a pass though entity return.

A pass-through entity without an assigned Nebraska identification number will need to apply for a number before e-filing a 2019 Nebraska tax return. If your business does not have a Nebraska Tax ID Number, follow the link below to the Nebraska Department of Revenue to register your business.

http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/electron/online_f20.html

© 2019 Vandenack Weaver LLC

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Business Entities as Parties to Real Estate Transactions: Who Has Authority?

Business entities buy and sell real estate on a regular basis. A successful transaction hinges, in part, on the proper parties executing the requisite documents. Because failing to correctly identify the parties and obtain proper signatures can be fatal to any real estate transaction, understanding who has authority to sign, on behalf of the entity, is imperative.

Four types of business entities are commonly involved in real estate transactions: (1) general partnerships; (2) limited partnerships; (3) limited liability companies; and (4) corporations.

A general partnership is an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit. Formation of a partnership does not require a filing with the State, nor does it require a partnership agreement. As such, any conveyancing documents must clearly identify whether partnership property, versus non-partnership property, is being sold. In general, all partners should sign the conveyancing document to sell partnership property. However, a Statement of Authority may be voluntarily filed with the Secretary of State, granting specific partner(s) express authority to solely dispose of partnership property. Unlike the general partnership, a limited partnership (“LP”) is registered with the Secretary of State and is comprised of one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. Like the general partnership, a limited partnership may be governed by a partnership agreement. To convey real property, a deed must be executed by all general partners, unless a duly executed and authorized partnership agreement or Statement of Authority provides otherwise.

A limited liability company (“LLC”) is either member-managed or manager-managed and is created by filing a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State. The entity is governed by an operating agreement, which is not filed. Unless the operating agreement dictates otherwise, consent is typically required by all managers (if manager-managed) or members (if member-managed) to transfer real property outside the ordinary course of business. A duly executed and authorized Statement of Authority can be filed with the Secretary of State to supersede the signing authority as designated in the operating agreement. As such, be sure to confirm that the Statement of Authority is executed by all members or managers, depending on the LLC management structure.

A corporation is a legal entity that is owned by shareholders and operated by the Board of Directors. Articles of Incorporation must be filed with the Secretary of State to create a corporation. The corporation’s affairs are governed by its bylaws. If the corporate president does not have authority to transfer real estate, corporate disposition of property is generally a two-step process. The Board of Directors, as dictated by the bylaws, must consent to the transaction, and upon consent, the Board must pass a resolution that authorizes the transaction and designates the authorized signatory.

Early review of the relevant entity documents is key, if not crucial, to ensuring the proper parties are named and have executing authority in any real estate transaction. This simple, but fundamental, step can certainly facilitate not only a timely and efficient real estate closing, but also a successful transaction.

© 2018 Vandenack Weaver LLC
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Selecting the Right Entity for Your Tech Startup

Nebraska, and neighboring Midwest states, have developed a reputation as the “Silicon Prairie,” a prime location for technology startups. The recent tech startup boom in the Midwest can be attributed to the lower cost of living, knowledgeable tech labor force, and willingness of the community to embrace the startup. For many of these startups, besides the intense need to develop and protect the technology, a common issue is picking the right business entity structure.

 

In picking the right entity for the startup, several considerations should be weighed, including the need for liability protection, how the company will fund operations, and the most beneficial tax status. For example, if a tech startup is developing a product that will take a substantial period to produce, and likely need multiple rounds of equity financing involving institutional investors, with other funding coming through debt, the demand for classes of shares, preferences, and conversion rights, may require that the startup to form as a C-corporation, with corresponding tax status. On the other hand, if the startup only intends to have one round of equity financing, through a “friends and family” offering, a limited liability company may be appropriate, providing additional flexibility to select tax status.

 

Picking the right type of entity is important for the success of a tech startup, with many considerations to weigh. Ultimately, as facts change, it may be possible to change the structure of your company, but initial selection should not be taken lightly and can reduce problems as your company grows.

© 2017 Vandenack Weaver LLC
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IRS Issues Final Regulations for Foreign Owned Single Member LLCs

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued final regulations that will increase reporting requirements for certain foreign owned single member limited liability companies (“LLC”). When a single member LLC is formed, for federal tax purposes, it is a disregarded entity by default. This means that income, loss, and subsequent tax obligations will pass through the entity to the owner. The final regulations change the default rule when a LLC is wholly owned by a foreign person, requiring the LLC to be treated as a domestic corporation separate from its owner.

By having these LLCs treated as a domestic corporation, separate from its owner, the LLC must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and annually file an information return, Form 5472. The LLC must also maintain records of reportable transactions with the foreign owner or foreign related parties. Ultimately, the IRS believes that this will ensure that disregarded LLCs aren’t used by foreign owners to shield assets from the IRS.

Although this change is designed to prevent abusive practices, this has a practical impact for foreign owners of a domestic LLC, ultimately increasing administrative requirements. For further information, the IRS regulation can be found at the following address: https://www.irs.gov/irb/2016-21_IRB/ar19.html

© 2017 Vandenack Weaver LLC
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What Law Governs Contracts With Foreign Entities?

A Business FAQ with Mark A. Williams.

The law that governs every contract is usually the law that the contract says. In  most agreements, there will be a provision in it that says if we get into a dispute, here is the law that is going to apply. If the contract does not say that, then there is a little bit of a problem. Every state has some laws and there are federal treaties with other countries, and those laws and treaties are supposed to work out whether it is the law of your state or whether it is the law of the foreign jurisdiction that is going to apply.

The important thing to think about is if you are going to do business with a company in another country, you really need to  make sure that in your contract, you specify what law is going to apply and what jurisdiction lawsuits are going to happen in so that if there is a dispute, you know how it can get resolved.

© 2014 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC

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Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office Will Now Accept Amended Biennial Reports at Any Time

Effective July 18, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office will allow Nebraska LLCs to correct or amend their biennial reports at any time. As a result, LLCs will be able to update public records containing their business addresses more easily. The fee to amend or correct the LLC’s biennial report is $10.00. If your business has changed locations since your last biennial report was filed, you may wish to take advantage of the new amendment rules.

© 2014 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC

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When Should I Use an LLC vs. a Corporation?

A Video FAQ with Mark A. Williams.

A corporation cannot be used if you want to be taxed like a partnership. An LLC, or limited liability company, can elect any kind of tax treatment. So if you want the ultimate flexibility in how you are going to be taxed, the limited liability company is definitely the way to go. Also, a limited liability company gives you greater flexibility in determining the rights of the various types of owners.

Now a corporation, on the other hand, has been around for a very long time so there is a good established set of law and rules that apply to corporations. So for some people, the comfort of knowing exactly what they are getting into outweighs the flexibility that the limited liability company might provide.

© 2014 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC

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Can an LLC Have Different Classes of Investors?

A Video FAQ by Mark Williams

An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, can have multiple classes of investors. It is very common that the operators of the business might have certain rights that are different than somebody who just makes an investment of money. So when you structure an LLC, you have the flexibility to create as many classes of ownership as you want so that everyone has the right type of rights and the right types of obligations to make sure that that business is a success.

© 2014 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC

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What Is an LLC and Why Should I Form One?

An LLC is a limited liability company and forming a limited liability company is basically to run a business out of or to own real estate or some other type of property. So if you are going into business or you are buying property as an investment, an LLC is one type of entity that you could look at forming, along with a corporation or a partnership. The pros and cons of those different business entity types are numerous, so you really have to get good counsel to make those decisions.

© 2014 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC

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Proactively Acquire Social Media Usernames for Your Business

If you own or start a business, a key marketing channel is social media. Many businesses acquire accounts for the social media platforms they intend to use as the need arises. But, only acquiring usernames and accounts for the services you intend to use may be an incomplete solution. In fact, you should sign up for and acquire all usernames across all social media platforms that you might want to use or may want to protect.

Even if you have a trademark, you may not be protected from third parties using your business’s name as a social media username. If someone else claims your trademark or uses your trademark in a social media setting, your rights may be limited, especially if the person using it does not use it for commercial purposes or in a way that creates confusion about your brand. To protect a company or brand name, as a best practice, you should sign up for as many usernames that could be confused with your brand name as possible on a broad variety of social media platforms.

© 2014 Parsonage Vandenack Williams LLC

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