LLC Tax Savings Calculator
Enter your net self-employment profit to see how much an S-Corp election saves in SE tax, when it breaks even, and whether now is the right time to elect. Every payroll tax formula shown.
Annual S-Corp net advantage
+$2,684
$5,184 SE tax saved − $2,500 accounting cost
✅
Consider electing
Break-even: $38,583 profit
The math works in your favor. Talk to a CPA or payroll provider (Gusto, Justworks) to set up payroll. The net annual advantage shown is meaningful.
Your Numbers
Annual profit after deductible business expenses, before any taxes
IRS requires a reasonable wage — auto-suggested at 40% of profit, min $40k
Auto-suggested salary: 40.0% of profit ($40,000). Override above.
CPA + payroll setup (Gusto, Justworks, ADP). Typical range: $2,000–$3,500/yr
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Entity | SE / Payroll Tax | Accounting | Total Burden | Net Keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship | $11,304 | — | $11,304 | $68,696 |
| Single-Member LLC(same as sole prop, federally) | $11,304 | — | $11,304 | $68,696 |
| S-Corp Election★ Best | $6,120 | $2,500 | $8,620 | $71,380 |
Note: Income tax is identical across all three entities and is excluded from this comparison. Only FICA / SE tax burden differs.
Sole prop SE tax
$11,304
S-Corp payroll tax
$6,120
Distribution (SE-free)
$36,940
How the S-Corp election works
A single-member LLC is a "disregarded entity" for federal taxes — all profit flows to Schedule C and is subject to the full 15.3% SE tax, just like a sole proprietorship. The LLC provides liability protection but no tax savings.
An S-Corp election (filed via IRS Form 2553) splits your income into two buckets: (1) a W-2 salary subject to payroll taxes, and (2) distributions that pass through to your personal return but are not subject to SE tax. The savings come from moving as much income as the IRS allows into distributions.
The IRS requires the salary to be "reasonable compensation" — roughly what you would pay someone else to do your job. Underpaying yourself to avoid payroll taxes is an audit red flag.
To elect S-Corp status: file IRS Form 2553 within 75 days of formation or by March 15 for the current tax year.
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For illustration only. Consult a CPA before electing S-Corp status. Tax laws change and individual circumstances vary.
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