Incorporation in Pennsylvania

Find the right Business Incorporation attorney in Bethel Park, PA

Under Pennsylvania law, a business may incorporate. If it chooses to do so, it is thereafter identified as its own legal entity. This means that the business can buy or sell property, offer and accept contracts and exercise legal rights in its own name. A business looking to incorporate in Pennsylvania must file with the Secretary of State in accordance with established guidelines.

Benefits of Incorporation in Pennsylvania

Certain advantages inure to a business in Pennsylvania that has incorporated over one that has not. First, a corporation's liabilities can never go beyond the amount invested in the business by the owners. Had the business remained unincorporated, owners risk losing their personal property should the business become unable to pay its liabilities. Furthermore, a business that has not incorporated puts the unnecessary burden on creditors in the Bethel Park area to evaluate the credit worthiness of individual owners rather than that of the business, making loans more difficult. Lastly, ownership of a corporation is divided into equal portions or "shares" of stock, which may be bought and sold much more easily than the ownership of an unincorporated business.

Costs of Incorporation

Incorporation comes at a price. First, Pennsylvania might charge a filing fee to process applications for incorporation. Also, the corporation will pay taxes as its own entity. In other words, the profits a corporation makes are now taxed separately, while any disbursements to shareholders are taxed as individual income. This is called double taxation. However, a business might avoid this disadvantage with proper planning and assistance from a local Bethel Park lawyer.

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Life in Bethel Park

Bethel Park, population 33,000, is located in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. Though recently incorporated in 1949, its existence as a settlement dates back to the early 1800's. In 1978 Bethel Park residents instituted a Home Rule form of Government. This provides the municipality and Council with greater governance powers than a traditional municipal scheme.

Bethel Park is quaintly situated in the southern hills of the Pittsburgh area. It is located about 8 miles south of Pittsburgh. The city's recreation department currently hosts several activities such as Summer Fun Day and local flea markets. The city also has a Farmer's Market which is open every Tuesday. Recreational activities such as swimming classes, tennis instruction, and aquatic programs are held throughout the city's recreation centers. Some of these centers include the Community Center, Village Green Park, Simmons Park, and Millennium Park.

Other points of interest in Bethel Park include the South Park Wave Pool, South Park Hundred Acres Manor, South Hills Village, and Blade Runners. Pittsburgh's first drive-in theater was also located in Bethel Park. The theater has recently been replaced with several retail shops and restaurants.

Lawyers in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania often file their cases in the Bethel Park District Court located in the town's Municipal Building. Bethel Park lawyers specialize in a wide variety of legal matters and issues.

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