Small Business

Small businesses are the fuel that powers much of our region’s economy.  In fact, federal statistics indicate that 97 percent of West Virginia companies are classified as small businesses.  At Bowles Rice, we believe that careful planning is essential to growth and prosperity, and we work closely with small business owners to provide them with the information, assistance and tools they need to succeed.

Among the services we provide to small businesses are:

Business Formation Services

Determination of the Choice of Entity

• Liability Issues
• Tax Treatment
• Management Issues
• Registration with state agencies

Formation of a Corporation

• Verifying name availability
• Drafting and filing the articles of incorporation
• Drafting bylaws
• Drafting minutes for organizational meeting
• Preparing corporate minute book
• Obtaining federal tax identification number
• Preparation and filing of “S” corporation election
• Issuance of stock certificates
• Obtaining certificate of incorporation

Formation of a General Partnership

• Verifying name availability
• Drafting partnership agreement
• Obtaining federal tax identification number
• Obtaining certificate of true name registration

Formation of a Limited Partnership

• Verifying name availability
• Drafting partnership agreement
• Obtaining federal tax identification number
• Issuance of partnership certificates
• Drafting and filing certificate of limited partnership

Formation of a Limited Liability Company

• Verifying name availability
• Drafting and filing the articles of organization
• Drafting an operating agreement
• Drafting minutes for organization meeting
• Obtaining federal tax identification number
• Issuance of ownership certificates
• Obtaining certificate of limited liability company

Operations/Employment

• Buy/Sell Agreements
• Office Leases
• Written Agreement in Lieu of Meeting
• Review of Minute Book
• Employment Applications and Personnel Handbooks
• Simple Employment Contracts
• Independent Contractor Agreements

Tax Planning

• Assistance with state and local tax audits
• Appeal of state tax assessments, including corporation net income tax, the business franchise tax, severance tax, health care provider tax, the state and municipal business occupation tax, withholding tax, and various excise taxes imposed by the State of West Virginia
• Valuation, taxability and procedural requirements associated with the ad valorem property tax
• Assistance with federal tax assessments involving income and withholding tax, including trust and penalty assessments, litigating such assessments and negotiation of offers and compromises, and installment agreements related to such assessments

 Financial Matters

• Drafting, review, negotiation and revision of loan agreements, promissory notes, deeds of trust, security agreements, financing statements and other loan documents.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss your business needs, contact Marc Monteleone, the leader of our Small Business team, or a Bowles Rice office near you.