C-Corporation
BusinessGlossary term
Definition
The standard corporate structure in which the business is treated as a separate legal entity and taxed independently from its owners, resulting in what is known as double taxation on both corporate profits and shareholder dividends. C-corporations can have unlimited shareholders, multiple classes of stock, and are the structure required for companies that plan to go public or seek venture capital funding. Despite the double taxation, C-corps offer advantages like the ability to retain earnings and provide employee benefits that are tax-deductible.
Related terms
- S-CorporationA special tax designation available to eligible corporations and LLCs that allows business income to pass through to shareholders' personal tax returns, avoiding the double taxation that C-corporations face. To qualify, the business must have no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be US citizens or residents, and the company can only issue one class of stock. S-corps also allow owner-employees to potentially reduce self-employment taxes by splitting income between salary and distributions.
- LLC (Limited Liability Company)A business structure that combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax flexibility and operational simplicity of a partnership. LLC owners, called members, are generally not personally responsible for the company's debts and liabilities, meaning their personal assets are protected. LLCs can choose how they want to be taxed, either as a sole proprietorship, partnership, S-corp, or C-corp, making them one of the most versatile business structures available.
- Venture CapitalA form of private equity financing provided by investment firms or funds to early-stage or high-growth startups that demonstrate significant potential for rapid expansion and large returns. In exchange for funding, venture capitalists typically receive equity ownership and often take an active role in guiding the company's strategy and governance. Venture capital is a high-risk, high-reward investment that has fueled the growth of many major technology companies.
- Equity FinancingA method of raising capital by selling ownership shares (equity) in a company to investors in exchange for funding. Unlike debt financing, equity financing does not require repayment or interest payments, but it does dilute the existing owners' ownership percentage and control. Companies at various stages use equity financing, from startups selling shares to angel investors to established companies issuing stock through public offerings.
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