A Guide To STARTING A BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA 42nd Ed 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface ........................................................................................................................................... i Choosing the Form of Business Organization..................................................................................1 Tax and Non-Tax Considerations .............................................................................................1 Naming the Business Entity..................................................................................................32 Forming a Sole Proprietorship .............................................................................................39 Forming a Partnership .........................................................................................................39 Forming a Minnesota Business Corporation ........................................................................44 Forming a Minnesota Limited Liability Company.................................................................51 Special Types of Business Organizations ...............................................................................56 Filing Documents with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State .......................................62 Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State Fee Schedule for Business Entity Filings...........64 Regulatory Considerations............................................................................................................69 Securities Registration .........................................................................................................69 Franchise Registration..........................................................................................................77 Evaluating a Business Opportunity ......................................................................................79 Business Licenses and Permits..............................................................................................81 Environmental Protection Programs.....................................................................................84 Intellectual Property Protection....................................................................................................89 Business Plan................................................................................................................................90 Accounting for the New Business ................................................................................................94 Basic Accounting Principles .................................................................................................94 Income Forecasting Techniques............................................................................................96 Business Grants...........................................................................................................................100 Business Loans ...........................................................................................................................101 Public Sources of Financing – Federal Programs.................................................................103 Public Sources of Financing / Tax Credits – State Programs ...............................................108 Public Sources of Financing – Local Programs ...................................................................122 Private Sources of Funds.....................................................................................................123 Insurance ....................................................................................................................................124 Issues for Employers ..................................................................................................................127 Who is an Employee?.........................................................................................................127 Employment Agreements...................................................................................................132 Labor Standards..................................................................................................................134 Rest Breaks and Leave Time...............................................................................................154 Employee Testing and Background Checks.........................................................................160 Employment of Minors.......................................................................................................164

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