1. Why should I use MBO Partners to better manage my career?
2. What if I already have an LLC or S Corporation?
3. Why are more studios using companies like MBO Partners?
4. If I use MBO Partners for one of my clients, do I have to use it for all of them?
5. If I decide to sign up for benefits through MBO Partners, when do they start and how do I pay for the premiums?
6. What if I want to use MBO Partners with a studio you aren’t already working with?

1. Why should I use MBO Partners to better manage my career?

Working through MBO Partners means that you can keep your independence as a freelancer, while protecting the studios you work for from these very real (and very expensive) risks. Plus, there are clear advantages to working through MBO Partners as an independent. Although a lot of businesses refer independent professionals to us to solve these risk problems, there are thousands of independent contractors who come to us on their own, looking for a better way to manage their career.
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2. What if I already have an LLC or S Corporation?

Actually, most of the folks who use MBO Partners have thought about or currently have an entity in place. Three of the primary reasons to set-up your own company, first limited liability (so you are not personally liable if something happens to your business), secondly branding (so you can go out there and capture new clients) and lastly to get all those wonderful tax write offs. All three of these reasons are within the MBO Partners comprehensive package; that’s why we consider ourselves a superior alternative to incorporating. Our model emulates self-employment and the best aspects of having your own company, while adding in some of the cushy benefits of working at a large company.
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3. Why are more studios using companies like MBO Partners?

It is becoming very risky for studios to pay freelancers directly. The IRS and General Accounting Office have released multiple studies and information about how aggressive they have become with reclassifying freelancers as employees.

It’s a great way for them to get tax revenue and it’s been working for them. You can learn more directly from the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html or some very recent studies published by the GAO at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-717.

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4. If I use MBO Partners for one of my clients, do I have to use it for all of them?

This is completely up to you. While most of our Associates end up falling in love with our program and decide to use us with other clients, at first you can use us for one client and see how it goes. If you like it, then just tell your Business Manager about your next engagement and they’ll get it all set up for you in your online account. There are tax advantages and administrative benefits of running all of your projects through MBO Partners, so ask our team how that works. It may make a lot more financial sense to use MBO Partners for all your project work.
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5. If I decide to sign up for benefits through MBO Partners, when do they start and how do I pay for the premiums?

These are true group benefits, and that means no applications or underwriting in order to participate in the plan. Benefits will start the first of the month following your activation date with MBO Partners. We use your client payments to pay for the premiums, this way we can adjust your income pre-tax by the premium amount.
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6. What if I want to use MBO Partners with a studio you aren’t already working with?

While we already have arrangements set up with dozens of studios, to set up a new relationship is very easy. Just call or email your Business Manager (your service contact at MBO Partners) and they’ll get them set up for you in the system.
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