Thursday, September 13, 2012

Using an LLC for Real Estate Investing

With the fallout of the real estate market the number of foreclosure sales is increasing dramatically. Many of those purchases are being made with the intent of renting the property rather than for owner occupancy.

LLCs are today’s number one choice for holding title to real estate. Owning either residential or commercial real estate can subject you to significant risk of a lawsuit. As we all know, accidents can happen any time. If someone gets seriously hurt on your property, you may find yourself being sued for damages.

One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that since they have insurance that they are protected. Sometimes judgments can exceed the insurance coverage, or in some cases the insurance is denied. It’s important that you read your insurance policy thoroughly and understand the limitations.

The LLC is designed to protect your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit. You want to make sure that in the event of a lawsuit that the LLC is the defendant and not you personally.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

If you haven’t done so already, you may want to consider forming an LLC to hold title to your investment real estate. Remember to “not carry all of your eggs in one basket”.

You must sign a deed conveying the real estate to the LLC and record the deed in the county in which the property is located if you wish to transfer the property.

Make sure you are adequately covered with your insurance policy and that the LLC shows as the insured. Remember, the LLC is not you and you’re not it.

If you transfer the property into an LLC but you are making improvements on the property and an injury arises because of the work, you could be sued personally. You may want to hire a licensed contractor for things such as construction repairs, electrical work or plumbing, etc.

If you do hire someone to do significant repairs on your property, be sure to check them out thoroughly beforehand.
For information and assistance regarding forming an LLC, give us a call toll free at (888) 274-1130.

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com. At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Importance of Corporate Record Keeping

Contributed by Deanna Kelly, Office Manager

Corporate Record Keeping is very important. It’s the difference between being a Corporation or not. At the least you would need Minutes for an Annual Meeting. Minutes are very simple: Who, What, When, Where, Why.

Who was at the meeting?
What kind of meeting (Special or Annual)?
When was the meeting?
Where was the meeting?
Why did you have a meeting (what was discussed)?

You write or type this out and place it in your corporate book behind the Minutes tab. Minutes should be in chronological order.

Day to day business does not require a meeting or minutes. Anything outside of day to day minutes (ie. purchase of property or vehicle by the corporation) requires a meeting, minutes and a resolution. All to be filed in your corporate book.

You should have a meeting each year to elect new officers & directors. The resulting minutes should be filed in the corporate book as discussed previously.

Even though LLC record keeping requirements are not as stringent as for Corporations, you should still maintain a Company Record Book. If you don't have a Record Book for your Corporation or LLC, we can provide one for you. Just give us a call toll free at (888) 274-1130.

FYI we have Annual Minutes forms on our web site that you may print out and complete. To find them go to our web site  at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com and click the link for our Resource Center.

Read our previous post about Corporate Record Keeping and Asset Protection.

Also see IRS Audits and Record Keeping http://elitebookkeepingtaxservices.blogspot.com/2013/05/irs-audits-and-record-keeping.html

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com. At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Here's a helpful video from the IRS regarding disaster preparedness. You never know when a disaster will happen so it's important to take the necessary steps to safeguard your records.



Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com. At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Protect Yourself from Your Small Business

BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT CENTER: Protect Yourself from Your Small Business: Contributed by Cassandra Jones, Esq. Houghton Jones, A.P.C.

Despite the economy, I have seen many people endeavoring in a small business lately. According to the US Census Bureau, Nevada has nearly fifty thousand businesses. Over 55% of those businesses have four or fewer employees. Small business really is the backbone of our community. Many people work hard to operate their business, and to take care of their employees and family.

What many small business fail to do, however, is to take advantage of the different business entities available in the state of Nevada. Instead, these small businesses operate as sole proprietors or general partnerships. A sole proprietor is any individual operating a business directly, without forming a business entity or registering with the secretary of state. Similarly, a general partnership is a group of people directly operating a business, without forming a business entity or registering with the secretary of state. A general partnership may or may not have a contract defining the rights between the partners. Read more...

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Four IT Security Trends to Master Corporate data is falling into the hands of hackers at an alarming rate. Here are four ways to protect it.

Four IT Security Trends to Master Corporate data is falling into the hands of hackers at an alarming rate. Here are four ways to protect it. Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Asset Protection Trusts

Contributed by Tracey Padilla, Pres.

I recently had the opportunity to attend some workshops on Estate Planning by Cassandra Jones, Esq., who is a Strategic Partner for the Business Achievement Center. One of the topics she spoke about was using a Nevada Asset Protection Trust.

According to Cassandra, Nevada is one of the best states when it comes to Trust Law, which is why so many attorneys who specialize in Asset Protection continue to form Corporations, LLCs and Trusts here. In order to establish an Asset Protection Trust in Nevada, you need to have an asset located in the state, which can be a bank account.

Another important thing that she mentioned is if you live in Nevada, have assets valued at $20,000, but do not have an Estate Plan, your estate can be subject to probate.

The law firm of Houghton Jones, A. P.C. offers Estate Planning as well as Business Law and Family Law. Furthermore, their firm is one of only a handful in this area that offers a particular level of Estate Planning components.

For assistance with Estate Planning in Nevada, or if you are interested in setting up an Asset Protection Trust in Nevada, contact Cassandra directly via http://hou2plan.com/.

For additional resources visit http://www.BusinessAchievementCenter.com

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.
At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Warning- Business Identity Theft On The Rise

We frequently hear stories about people who were victims of identity theft. Less often in the media - but unfortunately on the rise – is business identity theft. The thieves look for businesses that have not kept up their annual filings that are either in default or revoked status. They submit annual filings or reinstatement documents and change key company information in order to take control of the business.

As with individual identity theft, these thieves then get credit cards in the company name or establish lines of credit with banks or other vendors- all if which can be devastating to a business.

This is one of the reasons that we suggest that companies file a formal dissolution with the state, file a final tax return and close all open lines of credit for their business.

The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has been working closely with The Identity Theft Protection Association (ITPA), which recently launched the website www.BusinessIDTheft.org to combat this growing threat.

The website has information about ways that theft can occur, prevention information, resources, victim assistance and more.

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com. At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The JOBS Act- a new crowdfunding craze

President Obama recently signed The JOBS Act , which purportedly will ease access to money for small businesses. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act bill is supposed to help entrepreneurs find investors through online “crowdfunding,” allowing all Americans to invest in new companies.

This bill also aims to reduce the red tape involved in publicly selling stock. The clock has begun ticking for the SEC to draft regulation to protect investors.

Reports indicate that the JOBS Act allows companies to raise up to $1 million a year from individual investors. The regulations are said to include protection for people who have an annual income or net worth under $100,000 wherein they can invest no more than $2,000 in a company that's using crowdfunding.

An important consideration in using crowdfunding is that companies can find themselves having to answer to many shareholders that they have never met. They may then find themselves having to publicly reveal financial information and statements.

The good news is that small companies that don't have a lot of close connections will now have another avenue to find investors.

Before you engage in crowdfunding thoroughly check out any intermediary broker or funding portal. You should make sure that the broker is registered with the SEC, for example. There will likely be a host of new funding portals popping up, some of which may or may not be reputable. Be sure to do your due diligence.

You should also consult with your attorney and tax advisor regarding legal and tax issues regarding your investors so that you know what to expect.

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

He who laughs last: the return of U.S. manufacturing - AMA Shift

He who laughs last: the return of U.S. manufacturing - AMA Shift

Ten years ago, at the height of the outsourcing frenzy, I predicted on CNN in front of 16 million people, worldwide, that United States’ manufacturing would come back and that we would be making “things” again – appliances, heavy equipment, computers, TV’s and electronics. Even my dog laughed at me!


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Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

What is a Registered Agent?

A registered agent is a person or company designated to receive legal documents being served upon businesses such as Corporations, LLCs, Limited Partnerships, etc., that are registered with the Secretary of State.

The registered agent must reside in the state where the Articles are being filed and must have a physical address located in the state. In most states the registered agent must be available for service of process during regular business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays and unforeseen emergencies).

Any entity registering with the state is required by law to appoint a registered agent. Failure to properly maintain a registered agent generally will cause a jurisdiction to revoke a business entity’s legal status as well as in some cases, assess additional noncompliance fees on the entity.

As mentioned in a previous post it is important that you keep your contact information up to date so that you can be immediately notified in the event of service of process and also so that renewal notices and IRS notices will get to you in a timely fashion.

With our registered agent service we forward any official mail from the IRS and state of Nevada. We will also hand deliver your Articles at no additional charge as well as Initial and Annual Lists (state fees not included).

We go above and beyond to notify you when your documents are due with the state to help save you late fees and to keep your entity in good standing. We also offer additional services such as Mail Forwarding, Banking Assistance, Executive Office Services, etc. to help support your business.

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Nevada is first to allow testing of self-driving vehicles on roadways

This is an interesting article about some new testing that is taking place in Nevada. It will be intriguing to see what they do with these self-driving vehicles.

Nevada is first to allow testing of self-driving vehicles on roadways


Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Gov. Brian Sandoval On Nevada's Economic Plan



Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

We Want To Reach You

Contributed by Brooke Slansky, Assistant Office Manager


Not only is it a state requirement to keep your Registered Agent informed of contact changes, it can save you lots of money. We do our very best to reach each and every one of our clients when the Annual Renewals are due.

We use mail, email and phone calls to insure that we receive the necessary documents and payments needed for filing your Annual List/License with the state. Filing late can cost hundreds of dollars above and beyond the annual fees.

Should you move or change your phone number or email address, please give us a call at 888-274-1130 or email us regarding updating your information. Having your current contact information plays a critical roll in the service we provide you.

We appreciate your business. If there's anything we may assist you with, please feel free to contact us any time.

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

25.4 Billion Reasons Why Search Engines Want Your Social Media Video Content | Jeffbullas's Blog

We enjoy reading about Social Media on Jeff Bullas's blog.

25.4 Billion Reasons Why Search Engines Want Your Social Media Video Content | Jeffbullas's Blog

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Sandoval seeks repeal of 654 regulations - News - ReviewJournal.com

Sandoval seeks repeal of 654 regulations - News - ReviewJournal.com

Gov. Brian Sandoval on Thursday recommended the repeal of 654 Nevada regulations that he said are either unneeded or a drag on economic growth.

Among them: a rule requiring labels on toilets in manufactured buildings advising of maximum water use per flush. The state Manufactured Housing Division concluded that the regulation is duplicative and unnecessary.

Another recommendation would abolish a requirement that all driver training schools have a physical location in the state. With the growth of Internet-based schools, officials say, mandating a brick-and-mortar site to do business "constitutes an unnecessary burden with little or no increased consumer protection," the governor's office said in a statement.

Of the hundreds of rules targeted for repeal, 137 involve the Department of Business and Industry, 120 fall under the Department of Motor Vehicles, and 95 are under the Department of Taxation.

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Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Just How Risky Is Entrepreneurship, Really? - Bruce Gibney and Ken Howery - Harvard Business Review

Just How Risky Is Entrepreneurship, Really? - Bruce Gibney and Ken Howery - Harvard Business Review

There are two views on entrepreneurship in America: the first (largely feigned), that it is a pure virtue like freedom of speech or religion, and the second (real) attitude that it is largely a game for the naïve. Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Michael Dell make fine fodder for commencement speeches, but when parents and career counselors thrust graduates into the job market, the default isn't entrepreneurship, it's corporate serfdom. Entrepreneurship is a deviation, an occupation for heroes, heroic for the reasons it can't be recommended: it's just too unsafe. But the conventional position is nonsense; building new companies is far more sensible than the practical will admit.

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Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Carson City Professional Office Space and Virtual Office Services




For more information about Executive Office Suites or Virtual Office Services, contact Pinnacle Executive Suites at (775)884-6123 or visit their web site at
http://www.PinnacleExecutiveSuites.com


Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Annual List Checklist

Contributed by Deanna Kelly, Office Manager

In order to help our clients with their annual renewal and avoid late fees here are a few helpful hints when submitting paper filings.

- Always read through the letter and the information included with your renewal for any changes in procedure.

- Check your list for any changes you want made (names, titles).

- Check the spelling in names on the list in case the state's records are incorrect.

If any changes are needed, draw a line through the name and write the new name or corrected name above the incorrect or lined out name (BLACK INK AND NO HIGHLIGHTING).


- Corporations: Make sure each office (Pres., Sec., Treasurer and Director) has the name of a person. No office may be left blank. One person may hold multiple positions or be all.

- LLCs: Mark a title for each Manager or Managing Member on the list.

- Sign at the bottom and fill in title and date.

When completed return your Annual List to us along with your renewal payments and we will hand-deliver it to the state for you (no additional charge). We will then return a filed copy via email when we receive it back from the state.

Remember you may renew online with us and the Secretary of State. Once our payment has been submitted you will receive a confirmation with a link to the Secretary of State where you must file your Annual List. Be sure to print a filed copy and receipt when you have processed your payment.

As always, no question is a bad question. The more knowledgable you are, the easier our job is. If you have any questions, we are always here to help.

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

Friday, January 20, 2012

6 Ways to Increase Revenue, part 2

Contributed by Jojo Myers, CEO, OHB- Matrix Leadership, LLC

PART 2 – DIVERSIFY and then DIVERSIFY some more!!

The 2nd way to Increase Revenues is to Diversify your business. Largely, due to the economy, we have been given the opportunity to take a peripheral look at our business and ask ourselves,

• “What else can I do with the product or service I already have”?

• “What related product or service can I offer to my already existing client base”?

• “What completely different product or service can I bring in to serve a completely different client base”?

Many small businesses grow by taking opportunities to diversify.

Simply put, these are the forms Diversification:

• New, related products or services to existing customers=RELATIONAL DIVERSIFYING

• New markets for existing products=HORIZONTAL DIVERSIFYING

• New products for new markets=PROBATIVE DIVERSIFYING

The ones that seek out different market segments are the ones that will most likely survive the present environment. Again, simply put companies do this:

• Take a look at their existing product or service

• Take a look at their current client and market base

Then they take a step back and ask, “Is there another demographic or psychographic segment that could use my product or service”? and “Can I adapt to offer another potential product or service or adapt to open up to another potential client pool”?

I would love to explore this with you, so give me a call at Matrix Leadership, LLC, 775.884.6161, and let’s get started creating more income through Diversifying.

Lee Iacocca said, “In times of great stress and adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and energy into something positive”.


Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.

6 Ways to Increase Revenue, part 1

Contributed by Jojo Myers, CEO- Matrix Leadership, LLC

PART 1 - Business and Strategic Planning

When I go into a business for the 1st time I do a Discovery. From my Discovery, I do a Needs Assessment, but one of my first questions I ask is, “May I see your business plan”?

I get (3) responses:

(1) Absolutely OR
(2) What business plan OR
(3) They start cinching their heart and I start giving CPR
MUCH to my surprise, many businesses do not have a completed business plan. WHAT???

This is your roadmap, your atlas, your lifeline. In today’s economy and marketplace we MUST write, revise, or get back to the Business Plan. A business plan is not just your Mission Statement or your Value Statement with a few Goals and Objectives listed, but it actually has a detailed action plan outlining your strategies, telling the story about how you are going to live up to that Mission and Value Statement. The story tells what strategies are in place or will be in place for your company to be a success.

However, they really AREN’T that much fun to do right? And YES, they are a lot of work, but worth it. If your business is more than a hobby, do not operate it without a Business Plan. Matrix Leadership can help you do that or I can recommend a company that can help you. Either way ……..get on it. Start 2012 with a roadmap of SUCCESS!!!

For additional information or assistance with your Business Plan contact:

Jojo Myers, CEO
Matrix Leadership, LLC
(775)884-6161
http://www.matrixleadership.net

Find out more about American Corporate Enterprises by visiting our website at http://www.americancorpenterprises.com.At American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., we have the expertise to handle all your incorporation needs! Contact us Toll free (888) 274-1130 or (775) 884-9380 today.