Professional Corporation for CA Court Reporters
Professional Corporation for CA Court Reporters: Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Set Up Forming a Professional Corporation for CA Court Reporters can feel overwhelming, but with the right roadmap, the process is far more manageable than it seems. A California Professional Corporation (PC) is the only legal structure for licensed court reporters who want liability protection, […]
S-Corp Distributions vs S-Corp Salary
S-Corp Distributions vs S-Corp Salary: What Court Reporters Need to Know For many freelance stenographers and court reporting professionals, choosing an S-Corporation (S-Corp) can be one of the most powerful tax-saving strategies available. However, once you make that election, one of the most common — and most misunderstood — topics is S-Corp Distributions vs S-Corp […]
Paying Yourself as a Court Reporter
How to Pay Yourself as a Sole Proprietor A practical guide for freelance stenographers and court reporting professionals If you’re a freelance stenographer or court reporting professional operating as a sole proprietor, paying yourself works differently than it does for employees or S-Corporation owners. There’s no payroll, no W-2, and no “paycheck” in the traditional […]
Business Formation for Court Reporters
LLC vs. PLLC vs. Professional Corporation: What Court Reporters & Freelance Stenographers Should Know As a freelance stenographer or court reporting professional, forming the right business entity is an important step in protecting yourself, staying compliant, and setting your business up for growth. Two common options are a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and a Professional […]
Business Entity vs. Tax Entity
Business Entity vs. Tax Entity — What Court Reporters Need to Know When you’re running your own freelance stenography business, it helps to understand two different “entity” concepts: your business entity (how your company is recognized legally) and your tax entity (how the IRS treats you for tax purposes). These affect how you file taxes, […]
EIN Application for Court Reporters
How Freelance Stenographers and Court Reporting Professionals Can Apply for an EIN as a Single-Member LLC If you’re a freelancer stenographer, or court reporting professional operating as a single-member LLC, one of the first administrative steps you may need is obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Even though a single-member LLC doesn’t always require an […]
S-Corp Verification for Court Reporters
How to Request Your S-Corp Verification Letter (Form 385C) If you can’t find your IRS S-Corporation approval letter (the CP261 Notice), you can ask the IRS for a verification letter called Form 385C. This letter confirms your S-Corp election and the date your election was accepted — which you’ll need before filing your 1120-S tax […]
Why an S-Corporation for Court Reporters
Why Freelance Stenographers Should Consider Forming an S-Corporation If you’re a freelance stenographer or independent court reporter, taxes are likely one of your biggest expenses each year. Many freelancers start out as sole proprietors, but as income grows, that structure often becomes inefficient. One of the most common tax strategies for high-earning freelance stenographers is […]
Forming an LLC for Court Reporters
Why Freelance Stenographers Should Consider Forming an LLC If you’re a freelance stenographer or court reporter, chances are you started your business as a sole proprietor without giving it much thought. While that may be the easiest way to get started, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can offer important legal, tax, and business advantages—especially […]