Earning $80K+? An S-Corp election could save you $5,000–$20,000/year in SE taxes.
IRS requires a "reasonable salary" — typically 40-60% of net income for most professions.
Consult a CPA to confirm S-Corp is right for your situation.
Find a Tax Pro via TurboTax →As a sole proprietor, you pay 15.3% SE tax on all net income. As an S-Corp owner, payroll taxes only apply to your salary — distributions are tax-free from SE tax.
Example: $120K income, $65K salary → SE tax on $65K vs $120K → save ~$8,500/year.
Generally worth it at: $80K+ net income consistently. Factor in payroll service (~$500/yr) and CPA fees (~$750/yr).
Debt service coverage ratio with benchmarks
True cost difference for employers
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True first-year cost to form an LLC