PROBLEM 11-20A (cont.)
The schedule below illustrates the after-tax cash flows under each form:
Net income
distributed to owners
Less: Individual
income tax (35%)
After-tax cash flow
available to each
investor
Effective tax rate
(total tax paid to total
earnings)
($77,000 $220,000)
=35%
($112,750 $220,000)
=51.25%
The corporate form limits the potential liability of owners. Creditors of
partnerships may lay claim to the personal assets of the owners as
payment of company debts. The corporation, as a separate legal entity, is
responsible for its own debts. Owners risk only the amount of their
investment.
Limited liability companies (LLCs) offer many of the benefits associated
with corporate ownership, yet income is taxed like sole proprietorships or
partnerships. Thus, the burden of both double taxation and personal
liability for debts of the business are avoided.