Business entities come with a variety of tax benefits. Depending on your business, you could save thousands in taxes by taking the S Corporation election. There are several steps involved. To be treated as an S Corp, after forming a corporation or LLC, the shareholders must make an election with the IRS. In addition, you will need to pay yourself a reasonable salary as a W2 employee and set up payroll and withholding. If your business is profitable, your payroll taxes and income tax from this salary may be offset by the savings you achieve on the self-employment tax. Important: for existing entities, the election must generally be made by March 15th of the year the election is to be effective.
In addition, a business generally can deduct the expenses directly related to its business activity — think advertising expenses, mileage, or professional services like what Block Advisors provides. Business credits for things like renewable energy, employee retirement plan, or health insurance may also be available depending on your circumstances. These credits would reduce a tax bill dollar for dollar.
The decision to form a business entity and take an S Corp election is an important one that includes many additional considerations. For example, as the owner of a business, you also need to ensure your business financials are maintained and updated (if you’re not already) and stay on top of annual business filing and other requirements depending on your state and industry. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate these considerations. Our products, services, and advice are not a substitute for an attorney, and we do not provide legal advice or perform services performed by an attorney.
Here’s a great article detailing potential incorporation tax benefits for small businesses.