When you start freelancing, you are automatically a sole proprietorship by default. When does it make sense to formalize into a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?
Taxes: They Are Identical by Default
A single-member LLC is treated by the IRS as a "disregarded entity." You still file Schedule C on Form 1040 and pay the exact same self-employment and income taxes as a sole proprietor.
Liability Protection: The Real Difference
A sole proprietor has unlimited personal liability: if a client sues you for breach of contract or copyright infringement, personal assets (home, car, savings) are at risk. A properly maintained LLC creates a legal wall between business debts and personal assets.