Nellie Akalp

A pioneer in the online legal document filing space since 1997, Nellie has helped more than half a million small businesses and licensed professionals start and maintain companies across the United States, most recently through her Inc.5000 recognized company, CorpNet. She closely follows trends in the industry and shares her wealth of knowledge across various CPA and small business communities, establishing Nellie as one of the most prominent influential experts on business startup and compliance matters.

How to Legally Change a Business’s Name

Despite your best efforts to choose the perfect name for your company, there may come a time when that name no longer is the best fit. Perhaps the business name no longer accurately reflects your brand or there are legal considerations at play. Regardless of the...

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Who Are the Officers of a Corporation?

A corporation has three main categories of stakeholders involved in the financial and management aspects of the company. While all play a crucial role, officers work more closely with a corporation’s managers and supervisors, arguably having a more direct impact on...

Meeting of Corporate Officers

The S Corp Election Deadline is Right Around the Corner

The S Corporation election deadline for LLCs and C Corporations is March 15, 2024. So, if you’re considering changing your limited liability company or C Corporation tax treatment from its default status to an S Corp, time is of the essence! To be considered an S...

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What is an LLC Statement of Information?

No matter which state your Limited Liability Company (LLC) is located in, you will need to file documentation with the Secretary of State to establish your company and keep it legally compliant. A Statement of Information is one of the standard reporting...

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How to Apply for an EIN

One of the essential steps new business owners must take when launching their companies is to apply for an EIN. An Employee Identification Number (also known as a Federal Tax ID Number or Tax ID Number) is a nine-digit number assigned to a business for filing...

Employer Identification Number (EIN) written on legal document

Do Amazon Sellers Need an LLC?

Amazon sellers, like other entrepreneurs that sell products online, should think about how their business structure affects them professionally and personally. The business entity type chosen has an impact on income tax obligations, ongoing business compliance...

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Can an S Corporation Own an LLC?

When entrepreneurs want to expand their businesses, they face the important decision of how to structure that growth. One approach is to form a separate company under another registered business entity. Some restrictions exist and small business owners may be...

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Choosing the Best State to Start a Business

Choosing the best state to start a business is an important detail in your overall business plan. When it comes to launching a small business, “Location, location, location” is part of the formula for success. If you’re wondering if a specific location would give...

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How to Budget as a Freelancer

Creating a budget as a freelancer shouldn’t be any harder than it is for any other small business. And yet, the rollercoaster ride of finding and keeping clients, collecting invoices, marketing your business, and juggling all of this yourself can create major...

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The Best CPA Marketing Channels for Growing Your Firm

Whether your accounting business is just starting out, or whether you’re a seasoned veteran, marketing your business is a must. It’s crucial in good economic times and in bad. In fact, during an economic downturn, choosing the right CPA marketing channels for your...

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What Is 501(c)(3) Status and How Do You Obtain It?

Have you always dreamed of starting a nonprofit organization so you can give back to your community? Maybe you have a charity that’s close to your heart, such as research for autism or helping the homeless, and you’ve always wanted to have the same kind of impact...

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Is a Farm LLC Really Necessary?

Starting and running a farming business provides the opportunity and the freedom to forge your own professional path. There’s hard work involved and any seasoned farmer will tell you farming is a 24/7 commitment. And an agricultural business comes with many of the...

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Do I Need Articles of Organization For a Michigan LLC?

If you're considering forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Michigan, you're probably wondering what paperwork the state requires. For example, do you need Articles of Organization for a Michigan LLC? That's one of the common questions we field here at...

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Do Uber Drivers Need an LLC?

Uber drivers, even those doing rideshare driving as a side gig, are considered to be earning income through self-employment. Just like other self-employed independent contractors, they face some critical startup decisions—including what business entity type to...

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How to Find Your First 10 Accounting Clients

Searching for the first clients for your startup accounting business might seem like finding a needle in a haystack (or, for you Harry Potter fans, like finding a Horcrux in the Room of Requirement). In reality, however, it can actually be pretty simple, thanks to...

Concept for multi ethnic business team

Can a Sole Proprietor Have Employees?

Even when a small business starts as a sole proprietorship with only a solitary business owner who handles everything, growth and expansion are often the ultimate objectives. To achieve those goals, a sole proprietor will likely need some help along the way — which...

Businessman Talking to Staff on Zoom

Ten Tips for Creating a Business Name

Creating a business name is one of the most exciting and important startup tasks that entrepreneurs must tackle. The name you choose for your business will serve to distinguish you from your competitors and give customers insight into the experience they will have...

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