Combine the liability protection of a corporation with the tax efficiency of a partnership. S Corporation status lets you avoid double taxation and potentially reduce self-employment taxes on your business income.
An S Corporation is not a distinct business entity type. It is a tax election made with the IRS that changes how a corporation or LLC is taxed. When you elect S Corp status by filing IRS Form 2553, your business profits and losses pass through to your personal tax return, just like a partnership or sole proprietorship. The corporation itself does not pay federal income tax, which eliminates the double taxation problem that affects standard C Corporations.
The S Corp election is especially valuable for business owners who earn a substantial income from their company. As an S Corp shareholder-employee, you pay yourself a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes), and any remaining profits are distributed as dividends that are not subject to self-employment tax. For a business earning $150,000 in profit, this structure can save $10,000 to $20,000 per year in self-employment taxes compared to a standard LLC.
To qualify for S Corp status, your business must meet specific IRS requirements. You can have no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. You can only issue one class of stock (though voting rights can differ). The business must be a domestic corporation or LLC, and certain types of businesses like banks and insurance companies are ineligible. These restrictions exist because the S Corp election was designed for small to mid-sized businesses, not large enterprises.
Only your salary is subject to FICA taxes. Distributions beyond your reasonable salary are exempt from the 15.3% self-employment tax, creating meaningful savings as your income grows.
Unlike a C Corporation, an S Corp does not pay federal income tax at the entity level. All income passes through to shareholders and is taxed only once on their personal returns.
S Corp shareholders receive the same personal asset protection as C Corp shareholders. Your home, savings, and other personal property are shielded from business debts and lawsuits.
We prepare and file your IRS Form 2553 election correctly and on time. Timing is critical because the IRS requires this election within 75 days of formation or by March 15 for the current tax year.
Not all states recognize the S Corp election automatically. We identify which state filings are needed and handle them so your pass-through status applies at both the federal and state level.
S Corps have specific payroll and distribution requirements. We provide guidance on reasonable compensation rules and quarterly payroll obligations so you stay compliant with the IRS.
First, you need an LLC or Corporation on file with your state. If you do not have one yet, we handle the formation. If you already have an active entity, we can add the S Corp election to it.
We prepare and submit IRS Form 2553, including the required shareholder consent statements. If you have missed the standard deadline, we can file a late election with a reasonable cause explanation.
Once the IRS accepts your election, you set up payroll for shareholder-employees and begin taking distributions. We provide a checklist covering payroll setup, quarterly filings, and estimated tax payments.
Choose where you want to file. We handle state-specific requirements, forms, and fees.
Stop overpaying self-employment taxes. Our team will handle your Form 2553 filing and make sure your S Corp election is done right from the start.
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