|
S Corporation |
Limited Liability Company (LLC) 1 |
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) |
Limited Liability |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Pass-through Tax Treatment 3 |
Generally yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Difficult to Form/Maintain |
Yes |
Somewhat |
Somewhat |
Continuity of Life |
Yes |
State law may limit LLC life to a set number of years 4 |
No |
Centralized Management |
Yes |
Generally yes, since members can elect a committee of managers |
The partnership agreement can centralize management |
Interests Freely Sold/Transferred |
Not to ineligible S shareholders |
Yes, but transferee often has more limited rights unless all other members approve of a sale/transfer |
No |
Available in All States |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Minimum Number of Owners |
One |
Generally two |
Two |