Posts

Tibbs Law Office: Introduction to 2018

In this video, Daryle C. Tibbs updates the audience on what Tibbs Law Office has in store for 2018.  In addition to the fact that Tibbs Law Office has hired its third experienced attorney, Tibbs Law Office will be moving office spaces to accommodate its clients starting April 1.  In addition, the attorneys of Tibbs Law Office will be getting mediation and parenting coordination training to be able to offer these services before the end of 2018.

Top 10 Videos of 2018: #4 With 236 views during 2018, this video was the fourth most watched video of 2018.

Keeping Appropriate Business Records

 As many accountants, financial advisers, and attorneys will tell you, it is really important to keep good records throughout the year.  However, even if you keep good records throughout the year, it is important to have a book keeper, accountant or tax adviser review your records at the end of the year to make sure every thing is in order.  I can’t tell you how many clients I have had that came to me with tax issues that occurred as a result of bad book keeping, or poor oversight of the accountant or book keeper.
If you are taking deductions for travel, meals, or office supplies, it is important to keep the receipts for those items and to make a note on your receipt regarding who you were with and why.  For more information about the specifics of the tax law changes, please visit our Youtube channel, as we have a whole series coming out in 2018 on all the changes and how they will affect business owners and individuals.
If you intend on taking deductions for mileage, it is important to keep a log in which you write down the date, where you went and how many miles it was.  This process is much easier now that we can map out our travel on Google Maps or some other similar program.  You should keep this log readily available to ensure that you add all travel. 
For more information regarding this and related subjects, please check out www.tibbslawoffice.com.  For answers to common legal questions, check out the firm youtube channel at: www.youtube.com/tibbslawoffice and www.youtube.com/tibbslawofficeKentucky.
TIBBS LAW OFFICE, LLC
8845 Governors Hill Dr., Ste 450
Cincinnati, OH 45249
(513) 793-7544
tibbslawoffice.com

LLC Formation

If you are considering forming an LLC, there are many steps you have to take.  You have to check to see if your business name is available, you have to fill out the Articles of Organization, and then you have to send the completed form, along with the filing fee to the Secretary of State.  I often tell my friends and family that this is something they can do on their own if they wish to save money; however, when I form an LLC for a client, my services include much more than just filling out a form and filing it.

If you retain me to form your next LLC, I will check to see if your business name is available for you.  I will fill out the Articles of Organization form and prepare more complete Articles of Organization to be filed with the Secretary of State form.  My Articles will include the names and addresses of the owners as well as the percentage of ownership of each.  This is advisable because the form that is provided does not have a space regarding the identity and address of the owners.  So basically, if you do not supplement the provided form, anyone can come along and claim that he is the owner of your LLC and no one would know the difference.  Some clients choose to opt out of this offered service and that is fine too.

Clients that are forming an LLC usually need a Federal Tax ID number.  I obtain my client’s federal tax ID number as part of the LLC formation service.  I do this because it allows my client to begin operating his/her LLC sooner than if the client has to obtain it his/her self.

I offer to serve as the statutory agent for my LLC clients.  This means that if the LLC ever gets sued or served with other important legal notices, those documents will come to my firm, rather than the members of the LLC.  This will help protect the LLC in the case that the LLC runs into legal issues.  We notify our clients and provide copies of all documents (as long as you keep a current mailing and email address with our firm).  We can help guide you through the process and provide expertise, if necessary.

Clients that are setting up an LLC with more than one member usually need an Operating Agreement which outlines the terms of their relationship to the company and with each other.  I provide my LLC clients with an operating agreement for an additional flat fee.  An operating agreement is a dense and often complicated contract; however it could save business or personal relationships if the business goes downhill.   We recommend an Operating Agreement to any LLC with more than one member.

Some popular legal form websites encourage people to expedite their LLC application.  I do NOT recommend expediting your application because in my experience, it is a waste of money.  Once you send in your application, the Secretary files it and then sends you the business recording information that you need to open a bank account.  What some people do not know is that once the application is filed, you can access that information via the internet, even if you have not received that information in the mail.  Expediting your application does not get your application filed noticeably quicker than the regular filing.  If you file your application without expediting it, it should only take a few days before you can access your certificate online.