One of the first steps in filing any application is to determine “Who is the applicant?” Is it:
- You as an individual (sole proprietor)?
- A partnership of two or more people or companies?
- An entity such as a corporation or Limited Liability Company (LLC)?
It is important to decide early who the applicant will be because if you change your business structure, such as going from a partnership to a corporation, the new entity will need to file a full new application and be approved before beginning operations.
TTB strongly suggests that you contact an attorney and/or an accountant before making a final decision on which structure best suits your business needs. Business structure options include:
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Corporation
If you are thinking about starting a business, see the comprehensive information about starting a new business, including resources from the Internal Revenue Service, BusinessUSA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
TTB G 2015-2