Creating an investment LLC is a smart move if you wish to pool your resources with other investors. An LLC is a simple type of business entity that lets you and the other members of your investing club set up rules and regulations. An LLC is easy and quick to set up, and it gives the owners and members a good way to pool money for investment purposes.
What is an Investment LLC?
A limited liability company that is set up to make investments is called an Investment LLC. An LLC is a popular type of legal business entity because it is easy to set up and gives the owner of the business many benefits, such as protection from liability and tax breaks. Among the benefits of an LLC are:
- Simple to create.
- Asset protection.
- Limited compliance laws (vary by state).
- Pass-through taxes.
- The owner(s) should be able to choose the management structure.
LLCs can be made for any kind of business, like running a store, buying and selling real estate, or making investments. Investment LLCs are becoming more popular because they help investors in many ways. It’s common for two or more people to want to invest in a business with another person or people.
A limited liability company (LLC) will protect all partners in the business from being sued. This lets more than one person pool their money and make money not only from investments but also from the other things a limited liability company has to offer.
Why Should You Form an LLC to Invest?
The LLC operating agreement is a big reason why an LLC is a good way to invest. In the LLC’s operating agreement, it says what can and can’t be done. So, it’s a great way to set up a way for more than one person or group to invest.
One common part of the operating agreement for an LLC is how people can sell their shares in the company. When you set up an LLC to invest, you usually tell other members that they can’t sell their shares without your permission. This will stop changes to the ownership structure from being made without the agreement of all members. Since many LLCs are set up by families, this keeps the ownership of the LLC in the family.
Another common clause by NY Biennial Statement Online says how the money in the LLC will be spent. In the operating agreement, you can say how the LLC will invest, like in a mutual fund or ETF prospectus. For example, you might say that at least 60% of the money must be invested in stocks. Having a clear plan and structure makes it easier for all parties to agree on something.
Lastly, some operating agreements may say that members have to give money to the LLC on a regular basis. When you set up an LLC for an investment club, you might ask that each member put $50 into the LLC every month. All club members will still have a stake in the club and the LLC.
What can you use an LLC to invest in?
LLCs can invest in a wide range of stocks, bonds, real estate, and digital assets. The only difference is that you can’t make investments with a 401(k) or Roth IRA.
You’ll have to open a separate bank account for your business and then a trading/investment account. Here are some things an LLC can put money into:
1. Real Estate.
LLCs that invest in real estate is probably the most common type. Forming a company is a safe way for investors to pool their money together to buy commercial properties.
Also, real estate investors like the LLC structure because it gives them more protection for their assets and limits their liability. No one wants to be held personally responsible for a defaulted loan or a lawsuit about a rental property they invested in with someone else. LLCs for real estate provides that extra layer of safety.
2. Stocks and Bonds.
People often use investment LLCs to buy stocks and bonds. That’s a good way to build a portfolio for the long term. Then, when you retire, pay yourself from the company. If you trade as an LLC, you can also avoid paying as much tax on capital gains and stock dividends if you are a more active stock market investor.
3. Index Funds and Mutual Funds.
LLCs can put their money into mutual funds instead of buying individual stocks or bonds. Asset diversification is one of the benefits of both a mutual fund and an index fund. You don’t put all of your money into one stock. Instead, you invest in a group of companies that the fund owns.
4. Cryptocurrency.
Investing in cryptocurrency can be risky. By setting up an LLC, you can protect your personal assets from changes in the market. Also, if you want to mine cryptocurrency, you can claim some of the costs as business expenses if you do it as a business.
The limited personal liability for the mining operations would also be good for business owners. When multiple people use an LLC to invest in crypto, they can pool their money to make bigger investments in the crypto industry, like supporting a new startup.
5. Business Investments.
Your LLC can put money into other businesses (instead of getting started on your own). You can buy and sell other businesses. Or you could buy a share of another business. You can be a small venture capital firm by getting money from other investors and using it to fund interesting projects in exchange for a share of the profits.
How are taxes paid on an Investment LLC?
When it comes to taxes, an LLC is called a “pass-through entity.” Federal taxes don’t apply to limited liability companies, so any money made or lost by the company goes through the business and to the members. Each member has to report their share of gains or losses on their own federal tax return every year.
In general, an investment LLC would have capital gains, losses, and dividends. Each member will get a share of the profits, losses, and dividends based on how many people are in the LLC and how much they own. Each member has to write these amounts down on their tax return.
Pros of Investing in an LLC.
One of the most common forms of company in the United States, LLCs provide numerous benefits to their shareholders. When an LLC is set up just for investments, it gives the owner more unique benefits. Creating an Investment LLC has advantages like:
1. Taxes.
When you invest as a private person, you will have to pay taxes on all of your income, including dividends and capital gains. LLCs don’t have to pay federal income taxes, so when an owner invests through an LLC, it lowers the amount of taxes they have to pay.
2. Liability Protection.
When an LLC is set up, it becomes a legal entity that is separate from its owners. The members of an LLC can protect their assets in case the LLC is ever sued or has debts that need to be paid off. Members of an investment LLC can only lose what they have put into the company. Their personal assets, such as their homes, cars, and bank accounts, are safe.
3. Group Investing.
Similar to a partnership, an investment LLC lets a group of people pool their money to make investments. However, an LLC gives more protection than a corporation. This is great for families who want to save money for their children and grandchildren. It can also help people who might be nervous about making investments. When you invest with a group, you have access to more information that can help you make important choices.
4. More Capital.
With an investment LLC, several people can pool their money and invest together. This lets the LLC buy stocks with a higher value and make its portfolio more diverse.
Investing in well-known family LLCs.
You might not know this, but many wealthy people invest with LLCs. For example, Walton Enterprises LLC has the most shares in Wal-Mart. This is the company that the Walton family set up to run Wal-Mart. The six people who are known to be part of the Walton Enterprises LLC are Sam Walton’s heirs.
The Walton family as a whole is worth close to $150 billion. But most of this money is stuck in the LLC. In turn, the LLC owns Wal-Mart and a few other small businesses. Another well-known person who keeps most of his money in an LLC is Bill Gates. He owns Cascade Investment LLC, which controls his remaining shares in Microsoft and other investments he makes.
