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If you’re considering opening a Pilates studio, you might be wondering whether forming a limited liability company (LLC) is necessary or beneficial for your business. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when deciding whether to establish an LLC for your Pilates studio.
Forming an LLC for your Pilates studio can offer several advantages that provide protection and structure to your business operations. One of the primary benefits of forming an LLC is the limited liability protection it provides. An LLC also enhances your professional image, and it gives you flexibility in how your business is taxed. These perks make it an attractive option for many entrepreneurs.
Throughout this guide, we’ll explain these benefits in greater detail. We’ll also provide you with step-by-step instructions and valuable insights on how to form an LLC for your Pilates studio. Whether you’re a seasoned Pilates instructor looking to open your own studio or considering entering the industry for the first time, forming an LLC can be a crucial step toward building a successful and sustainable Pilates business.
The top reason to form an LLC for a Pilates studio is to gain access to the personal asset protection provided by this business structure. Whether you operate your business as a solo Pilates instructor or if you’ve partnered with other teachers to create a large studio with multiple classes every hour, you need the limited liability protections that an LLC can provide.
As an example, let’s say that a customer slips on a wet spot on your floor, falls over, and injures themselves during your most popular Pilates class. If you operate your studio as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, your personal assets — like your house, car, or personal bank accounts — would be at risk if that customer decides to sue your business.
On the other hand, if you form an LLC for your Pilates studio, and you operate and maintain that LLC in a compliant fashion, the scope of your customer’s lawsuit will usually be limited to your business assets. In other words, your personal assets will be protected by the business structure you’ve chosen.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the advantages of the LLC for a Pilates studio. Another important aspect is taxation. The LLC actually provides its owners with a selection of options regarding how they want the business to be taxed, which could save you a considerable amount of money compared to simply operating as an informal business entity.
Your Pilates LLC can be taxed as a sole proprietorship (for single-member LLCs) or general partnership (for multi-member LLCs), which is the default option. With this tax structure, your studio itself doesn’t pay taxes, but rather the profits are passed through the business entity and your owners pay taxes on that money when they file their own personal taxes.
You can also choose for your Pilates studio to be taxed as a What is a C corporation? (the default form of corporation), although this option isn’t very popular because it subjects your business to what’s known as double taxation — meaning that your profits are taxed first on the corporate level and again on the personal level when they’re distributed to your owners.
The other option is S corporation (please see our What is an S Corp? page) taxation. There are quite a few limitations to electing S corp taxation, but most U.S.-based Pilates studio businesses have no trouble meeting these requirements — your business cannot have more than 100 owners, they all must be either residents or citizens of the United States, etc.
S corp taxation can help your studio save money by reducing your self-employment tax burden. Instead of paying self-employment taxes (a 15.3% tax that includes the employer and employee portions of Medicare and Social Security) on all of your business income, you can pay yourself and your co-owners a reasonable salary for your roles and only pay self-employment tax on that portion of your income, while you can reinvest the rest of it into your business without paying this tax.
Compared to operating a sole proprietorship or general partnership Pilates studio, the S corp taxation model can save you quite a bit of cash that you can use to buy new equipment and make other improvements to your studio, rather than writing a big check to Uncle Sam.
Finally, an LLC structure can enhance the credibility of your Pilates studio business venture. Informal business entities don’t have exclusive assumed business names and typically operate under the personal name(s) of their owner(s). For instance, if your name is Johnny Smith and you operate a Pilates studio, your company’s name is also “Johnny Smith,” which obviously isn’t a great name for a studio.
In this scenario, you could register a DBA (see doing business as definition for more) name to give your business the ability to operate under an assumed business name, but DBAs have no exclusivity regarding their naming rights in many states. This means that if another studio wants to use your DBA name as their own, they’re not only allowed to do so, but they can actually register a formal business entity with that name, preventing you from continuing to use your own assumed name.
With an LLC, you not only have the rights to exclusive use of a business name, but you will also have either the phrase “limited liability company” or the letters “LLC” in that business name. This provides your business with a jolt of respectability because customers respect the professionalism displayed by an LLC. Also, they typically feel more comfortable writing checks to a business entity rather than to an individual.
First off, let’s quickly outline what an LLC is. LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnerships, in that the owners include any company profits or losses into their personal returns — the LLC itself does not owe income taxes. An LLC may also elect to be taxed like a corporation, although this is not a very common option.
There are similarities to corporations too, especially when it comes to financial responsibilities. In an LLC, the owners or members are not usually personally accountable for the financial status of the business. This means that if someone sues your LLC, your personal assets are not at risk. For more information see our LLC definition page.
The formation process for LLCs varies depending on which state you’re forming one in, but in general, the process has some universal steps that need to be taken no matter what state your business is located in. If you want a comprehensive overview of all the steps required to form an LLC, check out our complete LLC guide on the topic. The basic steps in the LLC formation process in any state are as follows:
Coming up with the perfect name for your new LLC is an important step. You’ll need to choose a name that represents your company and describes what you do, and you’ll also have to make sure it isn’t already in use by checking your state’s business database.
Your LLC’s registered agent (For more information, please see our what is a registered agent page) (which can be an individual or a professional service) is responsible for receiving important document deliveries from the state — like service of process or annual report reminders — and forwarding them to you. The registered agent ensures that the state always has a reliable point of contact for your business.
The form used to create an LLC is usually called the Articles of Organization, although the name can vary (some states call it the Certificate of Formation or something similar). You’ll need to provide the state with some basic information about your business and its owners. In exchange, the state will formally create your LLC.
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID number that essentially functions as a Social Security number for a business. The What is an EIN allows your business to hire employees, pay taxes, apply for bank loans, and more. You can obtain an EIN directly from the Internal Revenue Service free of charge.
Most states don’t require operating agreement, but every LLC should have one regardless. This is an internal document that outlines several key operational aspects of your LLC. The value of the operating agreement is how it can help prevent ownership disputes down the line by clearly explaining how the LLC will be run.
New in 2024, your Pilates LLC is required to file a beneficial ownership information report, or BOI report. You’ll file this report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, providing vital information about your LLC’s “beneficial owners.” Beneficial owners are people who control the LLC or get significant economic benefit from it. It’s crucial to file this report by the deadline to maintain compliance; failing to file means you won’t be operating your Pilates studio legally and you could face hefty legal and civil penalties.
You’ll need a business bank account for your LLC, and you’ll probably want a business credit card for work-related expenses, as well. It’s also a good idea to use accounting software like QuickBooks or even hire an accountant to handle your bookkeeping for you.
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Depending on your state, you may need a general business license to operate your LLC in compliance with state requirements. There aren’t any specific industry licenses required by the government, but you will likely need to complete a certification course to become an instructor for Pilates exercises. Don’t forget to check with your state to see if franchise or privilege taxes are assessed on LLCs and if your municipal and/or county government entities have any further licensing requirements.
Again, these requirements can vary by state, but most states require some sort of regular report to ensure that your LLC’s info is up to date in the state’s business database. Some states require annual reports (each year), while others only require them biennially or not at all. No matter what your state requires, you’ll need to stay on top of it to keep your LLC in good standing.
Pilates Method Alliance refers to itself as “the professional association for Pilates teachers.” They offer extensive benefits to their members, including information about insurance, travel and lifestyle, business building, member discounts, education and resources, and much more.
PhysicalMind sells exercise equipment that’s portable and lightweight, helping Pilates enthusiasts get a great workout in, no matter where they are. Their website also has some fantastic resources, as they offer online Pilates certification courses, and they also provide advice in the form of books, video lessons, and more.
One of the best online resources for Pilates instructors is Balanced Body at pilates.com. This site offers equipment sales, continuing education, streaming video lessons, a Pilates studio directory, and more. Balanced Body also has an excellent resource section that includes step-by-step how-to discussions for starting your own Pilates studio.
Pilates Anytime has thousands of online Pilates classes that you can watch anytime, as their name implies. They offer a 15-day free trial, and after that, this resource will cost $18 per month. Pilates Anytime is a great resource if you ever feel like you’re stuck in the same routines and want to freshen up the classes at your studio.
This organization offers online and in-person Pilates instructor certification training courses, and they also have a wealth of other resources for Pilates teachers. You can get Pilates Instructor Academy licensing for your studio, which means they will help you run your business every step of the way, providing “all instructor, student, and marketing materials.”
Starting a Pilates LLC can feel like a complicated process, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Here at ZenBusiness, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs navigate the “red tape” side of business. Whether you need help starting your LLC, managing your finances with a Money app, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on what you love: leading the perfect Pilates workout.
What liability risks does a Pilates studio owner face?
There are several significant liability risks for Pilates studios. With any fitness class, there is a risk of customers suffering injuries. In addition, Pilates studios are subject to slip-and-fall accidents, just like any brick-and-mortar business. In short, you should not operate your Pilates studio as an informal business entity — you need personal asset protection.
Why should I form an LLC instead of a corporation?
Everyone’s situation is different, and we’re not here to provide legal advice. That said, the limited liability company has some concrete advantages over the corporation that make it the preferred option for most small businesses.
Corporations tend to have more complex formation and maintenance requirements, and they don’t have the taxation advantages of an LLC. The corporation has some advantages of its own (for example, it’s easier to attract investors to a corporation) that make it worth a look but the LLC is a simpler and more flexible business structure.
Can I serve as my LLC’s registered agent?
Yes. Every state allows entrepreneurs to serve as their own registered agents. However, while the role of the registered agent can seem like that of an unnecessary middleman, there is more complexity to this position than some people realize.For instance, you would need to be present and available at your business location during all standard business hours.
Why should I hire an LLC service when I can form my own LLC?
The do-it-yourself route is always an option for LLC formation. However, LLC services are so affordable that there’s really no good reason not to use one these days. In addition, some of these companies often throw in free bonus features that make them an even better bargain.
Need some additional information, check out our ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom page.
Should I form my LLC in my home state, or choose a state like Delaware or Wyoming?
Some people like to form their LLCs in states with favorable legal settings. For instance, Delaware is often seen as the most business-friendly state, as it has an entire court system that’s dedicated solely to business matters. As for Wyoming, this state has some of the most generous anonymity laws for LLC ownership.
However, for most people, your best option is to simply form your business in your home state. Forming in a different state can be a tremendous hassle, and it can add some unnecessary complexity to tax issues, as well.
How much does it cost to form an LLC?
The costs of LLC formation can vary quite a bit depending on which state you’re forming one in. For in-depth information about LLC formation costs in your specific state, take a look at our guide to state-by-state expenses.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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