Characteristics

C Corporation

S corporation

LLC

Limited Partnership

Limited Liability

Yes

Yes

Yes

Limited Partner- Yes

General Partner-No

Continuity of Existence  i.e., perpetual existence

Yes

Yes

Varies

Varies

Maximum  Number of Owners Allowed

Unlimited

1-75

Unlimited

Unlimited

Variable Interests in Profits and Losses

No

No

Possible

Possible

 Single Owner Permitted

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

 Entity Taxable, i.e. No means pass through taxation allowed

Yes

No

No

No

 Classes of Ownership

Multiple classes permitted.

Only one class of stock permitted however, can be differences in voting rights.

Multiple classes permitted.

Multiple classes permitted

 Types of Owner(s)

Any

Ownership limited to U.S. citizens and residents and to certain U.S. trusts; no corporate (except S corp. which is 100% owner) or partnership shareholders.

Any

Any

Day to Day  Management Structure

Board of Directors (unless reserved to shareholders in Articles of Incorporation).

Board of Directors (unless reserved to shareholders in Articles of Incorporation).

Members or Managers

General Partner

Formality of Structure

Meetings of directors and shareholders, with minutes, required.

Meetings of directors and shareholders, with minutes, required.

Failure to hold meetings of members or managers  or to observe formalities regarding meetings may result in piercing of corporate veil

Per partnership agreement; limited partner engaging in management loses limited liability.