-
There is no statutory right to receive a distribution of profits from a limited liability company before it dissolves and winds up its affairs. Distributions before then are discretionary.
-
Profit distributions are in the discretion of the majority members or commonly in the discretion of the managers of the limited liability company.
-
A minority member who is not receiving distributions may have a claim under the operating agreement or as an oppressed minority member if the majority refuses to make profit distributions.
Profit distributions are a frequent source of dispute among the members of a limited liability company. The fundamental question of who decides when distributions are made, how much is made, and how to deal with the tax issues related to distributions, profits and losses can all be the source of conflict.
More Questions? Learn More. You can call me at 973-602-3915 or use our Contact form to reach me by email.
The short answer to the question of when a limited liability company must distribute profits is that ‘it depends.’ And many minority owners of LLC interests are frustrated to learn that they have less control over the process than they anticipated.
Limited Liability Companies Often Do Not Have Operating Agreements
Entrepreneurs choose limited liability companies as the form of a new business far more often than corporations or partnerships. They are cheap and easy to form and do not require the type of documentation and formalities that you generally see associated with other entities, corporations in particular. Continue reading