Business Entity Comparator
Compare tax liability across Sole Proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp, and C-Corp for your business.
Business Details
Recommended Entity
LLC (S-Corp Election)
S-Corp election saves ~$3,359 in self-employment taxes. The savings justify the added compliance.
S-Corp Election Tax Savings
$3,359/year
Tax Comparison
| Entity | SE Tax | Federal | State | Total Tax | After Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship | $21,194 | $16,686 | $13,162 | $51,042 | $98,958 |
| LLC (Default) | $21,194 | $16,686 | $13,162 | $51,042 | $98,958 |
| LLC (S-Corp Election) ★ | $10,710 | $21,239 | $15,734 | $47,683 | $102,317 |
| S-Corporation | $10,710 | $21,239 | $15,734 | $47,683 | $102,317 |
| C-Corporation | $17,985 | $6,860 | $7,222 | $63,567 | $86,433 |
Entity Features
| Feature | Sole | LLC | LLC | S-Corporation | C-Corporation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liability Protection | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| QBI Deduction | $24,741 | $24,741 | $16,000 | $16,000 | — |
| Formation Cost | $0 | $50-$500 | $500-$2,000 | $500-$2,000 | $500-$2,000+ |
| Effective Rate | 34.0% | 34.0% | 31.8% | 31.8% | 42.4% |
Disclaimer
- Simplified comparison — actual taxes depend on deductions, credits, and specific circumstances.
- "Reasonable salary" for S-Corp must withstand IRS scrutiny.
- QBI deduction subject to income limits and specified service business rules.
- Consult a CPA and attorney before choosing your business structure.
Choosing the Right Business Structure
Your business entity affects how much you pay in taxes, your personal liability exposure, and administrative burden. There's no single "best" entity — it depends on your income level, growth plans, and risk tolerance.
Entity Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Sole Prop | LLC | S-Corp | C-Corp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liability Protection | None | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SE Tax on All Income | Yes | Yes | Only salary | Only salary |
| Double Taxation | No | No | No | Yes |
| QBI Deduction (20%) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Payroll Required | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Raise Investment | Difficult | Limited | Limited | Easy |
The S-Corp Tax Advantage
An S-Corp (or LLC with S-Corp election) splits your income into salary (subject to payroll tax) and distributions (not subject to payroll tax). If your business nets $150,000 and you pay yourself a reasonable salary of $70,000, you save the 15.3% SE tax on the remaining $80,000 — about $12,000/year. The catch: you must run payroll, file Form 1120-S, and the salary must be "reasonable" for your role and industry.
When to Consider S-Corp Election
- Net income above $60,000-$80,000 — SE tax savings exceed payroll/filing costs
- Consistent income — not ideal for highly variable businesses
- Single owner or few owners — S-Corps are limited to 100 shareholders, all US citizens/residents
- No outside investors planned — VCs avoid S-Corps; C-Corps are standard for fundraising
The QBI (20%) Deduction
Pass-through businesses (sole prop, LLC, S-Corp) can deduct 20% of Qualified Business Income. For a business earning $100K, that's $20K less taxable income. However, the deduction phases out for "Specified Service Trades" (consulting, law, health, financial services) above $191,950 (single) / $383,900 (married jointly).
SBA — Choose a Business Structure→Frequently Asked Questions
Should I form an LLC or S-Corp?
Start with an LLC. If your net income consistently exceeds $60-80K and the SE tax savings justify the payroll costs (~$500-$1,500/year), elect S-Corp status with the IRS (Form 2553). You keep the LLC legal structure but get S-Corp tax treatment.
What is a "reasonable salary"?
The IRS requires S-Corp owners to pay themselves a salary comparable to what a similar position would earn in your industry and area. If you're a marketing consultant earning $200K through your S-Corp, paying yourself $40K while taking $160K as distributions is likely to be challenged. A good benchmark: 40-60% of net income, or what you'd pay someone to do your job.
When does a C-Corp make sense?
C-Corps are ideal for businesses planning to raise venture capital, go public, or retain significant earnings for reinvestment. The flat 21% corporate rate can be advantageous at high income levels, and C-Corps have no ownership restrictions. The double taxation (corporate + dividend) is a real cost, but strategies exist to minimize it.
Self-employed? Also check our Self-Employment Tax Calculator and Federal Tax Calculator.