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Hiring Employees for Your LLC: What You Need to Know

By Genki Hirano

Published on 26 Apr 2023 5 min read

Are you looking to employ new talent because your business is growing, but you’re unsure whether a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is eligible to hire employees?

One of the benefits of an LLC is that you can hire employees while keeping personal and business transactions separate. 

There can still be some misconceptions about the different types of LLCs and what the procedure for each looks like. 

So what are the requirements for hiring employees with an LLC business structure? 

Read on to learn the logistics, benefits, and some things to consider when hiring employees under an LLC. 

Can Every LLC Hire Employees?

LLCs can generally hire employees provided that they adhere to relevant employment laws and regulations. However, there might be specific circumstances or industries where an LLC is prohibited from employing workers. 

For example, in some states in the U.S., lawyers may only practice law as sole proprietors or in partnerships with other licensed lawyers. These restrictions may prevent a law firm from being organized as an LLC and hiring non-lawyer employees.

LLCS should seek assistance from legal or Human Resources (HR) professionals to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

For more clarity, let’s see the different types of LLCs and their hiring processes below.

Sole Proprietorship or Disregarded Entity LLC

A sole proprietorship or LLC (Disregarded Entity) may hire employees even though it is operated as a sole proprietorship. To hire employees, one must apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for labor and tax purposes. 

When it comes to taxation, a sole proprietor pays income tax as a pass-through entity, meaning its taxes are not filed separately as a business entity.

Sole proprietors are responsible for paying three types of taxes:

• Federal income tax
• Social Security tax 
• Medicare tax 

In addition to these taxes, if the owner of a sole proprietor wishes to hire employees, they must also pay employer taxes, such as Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes. 

LLC Partnership

An LLC partnership is a pass-through entity and can hire employees like any other business entity. They must also obtain an EIN from the IRS and register with the appropriate state and federal authorities.

Partners pay self-employment tax on their share of profits, which includes Social Security and Medicare Taxes. The LLC partnership withholds and remits Federal Income Tax, Social Security Tax, and Medicare tax from employee’s wages. The LLC Partnership must also pay employer taxes such as FUTA and FICA, as noted above.

LLC Corporations

If the LLC Corporation hires employees, it must pay employer taxes, such as the Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) tax, and depending on the location of your company may require the State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) tax.

The LLC Corporation must also withhold and remit federal income tax, social security tax, and Medicare tax from employee’s wages. In addition, as a corporation, the LLC may be subject to other tax requirements and regulations, such as corporate income tax and shareholder taxation (Double Taxation).

How to Hire Employees for an LLC

If you are still unsure of the hiring process, here’s a step-by-step guide to hiring employees for an LLC.

1. Get your EIN

To hire employees, it’s essential for an LLC to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The process is simple and can be completed online through the IRS website. The LLC must provide information such as the company name, business address, and type of business structure. Once the application is submitted, the LLC will immediately receive its EIN. The EIN is required for several purposes, including tax payments, opening a business account, and hiring employees.

2. Avail Workers’ Compensation Insurance

To comply with state regulations, LLCs that hire employees must obtain workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to work-related causes. The process of obtaining workers’ compensation insurance varies by state but typically involves contacting an insurance provider, completing an application, and paying regular premiums. Research your LLC’s state’s specific requirements to ensure you have adequate coverage in case of workplace accidents or injuries.

3. Register with the State’s Labor Department

This process involves submitting an application with the necessary information, such as the company’s name, EIN, business location, and the number of employees being hired. This step ensures that the LLC complies with state labor laws and regulations.

4. Provide New Hire Employee Forms

When an LLC hires a new employee, certain forms must be provided to the employee to comply with federal and state regulations. These forms include the W-4 form for federal tax withholding, state tax withholding forms, and the I-9 form to verify the employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. 

5. Report Employment Taxes

To report employment taxes, LLCs must file a quarterly Form 941 with the IRS. In addition, some states require LLCs to file State Unemployment Taxes (SUTA) or state withholding taxes. LLCs should consult with their tax advisor or accountant to ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations.

Can an Employee Be a Member of an LLC?

Simply put, an LLC member can also be an employee of the company. However, there are some things to consider, such as making sure the member/employee is properly compensated and that the proper tax returns are made.

It is also possible for an LLC member to hire their spouse as an employee, but it’s important to ensure that the spouse is working for the business, and proper documentation is in place to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Advantages of Hiring Employees for Your LLC

Wondering what the benefits of hiring employees for your LLC are?  

Here are some of the major advantages:

1. Increased Productivity: With more people on board, tasks can be delegated more efficiently, which can increase productivity and ultimately expedite growth
2. Diversification of Skills: Each employee brings a unique set of skills and expertise, which can broaden the range of services your LLC can offer
3. Scalability: Hiring employees can help your LLC scale up its operations more easily, allowing you to take on larger projects or expand your customer base
4. Reduced Liability: By hiring employees instead of relying solely on yourself or other members, you can reduce the potential liability for the company in case of legal disputes or lawsuits
5. Tax Benefits: Hiring employees can also offer tax benefits, such as deducting employee salaries, benefits, and other expenses from the company’s taxable income

All in all, hiring employees for your LLC can be a valuable investment if you want to grow your business and benefit from a well-trained workforce and the legal advantages that come with it.

Things to Consider Before Hiring LLC Employees

While hiring employees for an LLC can provide many benefits such as increased productivity and growth, there are also some factors to consider when you bring on new team members.

• Increased Costs: Hiring employees can increase the costs associated with running an LLC, such as payroll taxes, benefits, and insurance
• Increased Responsibility: As an employer, an LLC assumes additional responsibilities such as complying with employment laws and regulations, managing employee performance, and ensuring a safe and healthy work environment 

Unlock Your LLC’s Growth Potential With the Right Employees

It’s common to feel overwhelmed by managing your limited liability company’s financial records, and it can be tricky to find trustworthy help, especially when handling the finances of multiple employees. 

At doola, we specialize in bookkeeping services that can take the burden off your shoulders. 

With our accurate and up-to-date financial records, you can make informed decisions that will help your LLC grow and succeed. 

Contact us today and experience the peace of mind that comes with having a trusted partner in managing your LLC’s finances.

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