Subchapter S Corporation
A Subchapter S Corporation (often simply referred to as an “S Corporation” or “S Corp”) is a type of corporation that elects to pass corporate income, losses, deductions, and credits through to its shareholders for federal tax purposes. The shareholders then report the flow-through of income and losses on their personal tax returns and are assessed tax at their individual income tax rates. This allows S Corporations to avoid double taxation on the corporate income.
S Corporations are governed by Subchapter S of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code. Here are some key features and requirements of an S Corporation:
- Avoidance of Double Taxation: Unlike traditional C Corporations, which pay tax at the corporate level and then shareholders pay tax again when dividends are distributed, S Corporations pass through profits (or losses) directly to shareholders, who report them on their individual tax returns.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a domestic corporation.
- Can have no more than 100 shareholders.
- Shareholders must be individuals, certain trusts, or estates. Corporations or partnerships cannot be shareholders.
- Can only have one class of stock (although differences in voting rights are permitted).
- Must not be an ineligible corporation, which includes certain financial institutions, insurance companies, and domestic international sales corporations.
- Election: To become an S Corporation, the corporation must submit Form 2553 “Election by a Small Business Corporation” to the IRS. The election should typically be unanimous, with all shareholders agreeing.
- Liability : Shareholders of S Corporations have limited liability protection, meaning they are typically not personally responsible for business debts and liabilities.
- Employment Tax: While the S Corporation itself is not subject to federal income tax, it still has to pay employment tax on wages. However, shareholders who are employees might benefit from potential employment tax savings compared to other business structures, such as sole proprietorships or partnerships.
- State Taxation: The recognition and taxation of S Corporations vary from state to state. Some states recognize the federal S Corporation election, while others tax S Corporations similarly to C Corporations or have other rules.
- Distribution and Compensation: S Corporation shareholders who work for the company must receive reasonable compensation before non-wage distributions can be made to them.
It’s important for businesses to carefully evaluate their needs, potential benefits, and limitations when considering an S Corporation election. Consulting with a tax professional or legal counsel can be valuable in making the right decision.
Example of Subchapter S Corporation
Let’s explore an example of how a business might transition to and benefit from becoming an S Corporation.
Scenario: “TechVista Innovations”
Background: TechVista Innovations is a software development firm started by two college friends, Alex and Jamie. Initially, they set the company up as a partnership, splitting the profits 50-50. As the business grows, they begin to consider incorporating to limit their personal liability and potentially gain some tax advantages.
Transition to S Corporation:
- Incorporation: Alex and Jamie decide to incorporate TechVista Innovations in their home state. By default, it becomes a C Corporation upon incorporation.
- Electing S Corporation Status : After consulting with their accountant, they learn about the benefits of an S Corporation and decide to make an election. They file Form 2553 with the IRS, ensuring that they meet all the requirements.
- Taxation Advantages : With the S Corporation status, the company’s profits are now passed directly to Alex and Jamie, avoiding the double taxation experienced by C Corporations. Both Alex and Jamie report their shares of the company’s profits and losses on their individual tax returns.
- Reasonable Compensation: Alex and Jamie each draw a “reasonable” salary from TechVista, which is subject to employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare). However, any additional profits they take out of the business (beyond this salary) aren’t subject to these employment taxes. This setup offers potential tax savings compared to their previous partnership structure, where all their earnings would have been subject to self-employment taxes.
- Growth and Limitations: As TechVista continues to prosper, Alex and Jamie consider bringing in more shareholders to fund expansion. They are cautious not to exceed the 100 shareholder limit set for S Corporations. They also ensure that any new shareholders are eligible entities (i.e., individuals, certain trusts, or estates).
This example illustrates the transition of a growing business into an S Corporation structure, capitalizing on the benefits of limited liability and pass-through taxation. It’s important for businesses to ensure they comply with the specific requirements and limitations of S Corporations as they grow and evolve.
