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Business Licensing

Business Structure FAQs

Business structure (also called business form or type) refers to the way a business is organized in terms of leadership, direction, liability, taxes, etc.

As a new business owner one of the fundamental decisions you face is choosing the correct business structure based on your specific business needs.

When choosing your business structure, it’s important to identify the needs and goals of your business. Some factors to consider include:

  • Size of the business (number of owners, member, directors, officials, etc.)
  • Type of business activity
  • Control of the business
  • Transferability
  • Type of ownership (owner, member, shareholder, etc.)
  • Liability
  • Distribution of profits and losses
  • Taxation

The type of business structure you choose will have significant legal and tax implications. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney to help you determine which business structure best fits your specific business needs.

After you have chosen your business structure, learn more about registering your business with the Division of Corporation, Business and Professional Licensing, prior to engaging in business activity, by going to How to Get Started.

Entity Type Frequently Asked Questions

1. Business Owner Names, Business Names, DBA names and exclusive rights? 2. What is the difference between “unincorporated” and “incorporated”? 3. What is a Sole Proprietorship? 4. What is a Partnership (also known as a General Partnership)? 5.   What is a Limited Partnership (LP)? 6. What is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)? 7. What is a Limited Liability Company (LLC)? 8. What is a Business Corporation (INC)? 9. What is an S-Corporation (S-Corp)? 10. What is the difference between a C-Corp and an S-Corp? 11. What is a Professional (PC) Corporation? 12. What is a Cooperative (COOP) Corporation? 13. What is a Non-profit Corporation? 14. What is a Religious Corporation? 15. What is a Public Corporation? 16. WHAT NEXT, after you have chosen your business structure? 17. Need additional assistance?

This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and is not to be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to know what your registering, reporting and filing requirements are based on your specific business activities. Not knowing what is expected of you may not preclude you from the legal obligation to meet these requirements and compliance with the law. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney if you need additional assistance.

Contact Us
Professional Licensing Section Email: License@Alaska.Gov
Corporations Section Email: Corporations@Alaska.Gov
Business Licensing Section Email: BusinessLicense@Alaska.Gov