Entity Type Calculator — LLC vs S-Corp vs Sole Prop
Answer five questions about your business and we'll show which entity structure fits, the rough tax implications, and the breakeven point for an S-Corp election — with the actual numbers, not vague advisor-speak.
The five-minute version
If your annual net profit is under $60,000–$80,000, stay as a default LLC taxed as a sole proprietor. The S-Corp's compliance costs (payroll setup ~$500, processing ~$1,200/yr, Form 1120-S accounting ~$1,500–$3,000/yr) will eat the self-employment tax savings.
If you're consistently above $80K net profit, the S-Corp election can save you real money. At $100K net profit, the typical S-Corp election saves roughly $4,000–$6,000/yr in self-employment tax after compliance costs.
The five questions that determine your entity
- What's your projected annual net profit? Under $30K → sole proprietor or LLC. $30K–$80K → LLC. $80K+ → LLC with S-Corp election.
- Do you have employees or plan to hire? Yes → LLC mandatory. No → sole prop is still legal but exposes personal assets.
- Are you raising venture capital? Yes → Delaware C-Corp. No → LLC.
- Are you bringing significant assets (IP, real estate, contracts) into the business? Yes → LLC with attorney-drafted operating agreement. No → simple single-member LLC.
- Are you in California? Yes → budget for the $800/yr franchise tax regardless of profit. No → your annual costs are likely $0–$300.
S-Corp tax savings examples
| Net Profit | SE Tax (sole prop / LLC default) | SE Tax (S-Corp w/ reasonable salary) | Gross Savings | After Compliance Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $5,355 (on $35K salary) | $1,710 | –$1,000 to –$2,000 (loss) |
| $75,000 | $10,598 | $7,956 (on $52K salary) | $2,642 | $0 to $1,000 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $9,180 (on $60K salary) | $4,950 | $2,500–$3,500 |
| $150,000 | $19,648 | $11,628 (on $76K salary) | $8,020 | $5,500–$6,500 |
| $200,000 | $23,798 | $14,076 (on $92K salary) | $9,722 | $7,000–$8,000 |
Salaries shown are mid-range "reasonable compensation" estimates per IRS guidance. The IRS scrutinizes salaries that look artificially low; consult a CPA before electing.
The decision tree
- Sole Proprietor — No formal structure, no liability protection. Cost: $0. Right for: testing an idea, hobby-tier revenue under $10K/yr.
- Single-Member LLC — Liability shield, pass-through taxation. Cost: $35–$500 + annual fees. Right for: most bootstrapped founders earning $10K–$80K net.
- LLC + S-Corp Election — Liability shield, pass-through, payroll-tax savings on distributions. Cost: $35–$500 + $2,000–$4,000/yr compliance. Right for: consistent $80K+ net profit.
- C-Corporation — Liability shield, double taxation, investor-friendly. Cost: $100–$500 + significant compliance. Right for: VC-backed startups, public company path.
Next step
Once you've made the entity choice, use our complete 50-state LLC formation guide for the filing process, or jump to your state's specific deep-dive.
Start The Everyday Owner's Blueprint → for the full 12-week guided program, including entity decision worksheets and S-Corp election timing.