When you start a business, one of the first decisions you make is how to set it up legally. Many people begin as sole proprietors, reporting profits on their personal tax returns with a Schedule C.
The problem is that a sole proprietorship doesn’t protect your personal assets and can leave you exposed to risk. That’s why many small business owners turn to an LLC or an S Corporation. Both options let business income “pass through” to your personal return, but they differ in how taxes are handled, how profits are distributed and how much paperwork you take on.
Understanding the difference between an S Corp and an LLC can help you choose the option that best fits your business goals and long-term plans.
S Corporation vs. LLC: Comparing Structures and Requirements
Forming a business means choosing the right legal setup. One advantage of an LLC over an S Corp is that it usually requires less paperwork and fewer ongoing formalities, which can be easier for small business owners to manage.
1. LLC vs. S Corporation Taxes
An LLC can elect pass-through taxation, just like an S Corp, letting profits flow directly to your personal tax return. If you choose an LLC taxed as a partnership, you typically file IRS Form 1065 and report income on your individual return rather than at the company level.
You may also qualify for the Section 199A Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, which allows up to 20% of qualified business income to be excluded from taxable income. That deduction is now permanent, following recent legislation that eliminated its expiration date.
Even with the QBI deduction available, there are rules around wages, property and business type that may limit your benefit depending on your income. And no matter which structure you choose, you’ll need to think about choosing a registered agent, since most states require one to receive legal documents on your behalf.
2. LLCs Are Flexible and Less Expensive To Operate
S Corps must follow corporate formalities, including adopting bylaws, appointing a board of directors, holding regular meetings and keeping written minutes. LLCs, on the other hand, only require an operating agreement, which can be structured with much more flexibility.
3. You Can Have Unlimited Owners With an LLC
An LLC allows unlimited owners, known as “members,” and places no restrictions on their citizenship or residency. It can also be owned by another business entity, whether that’s a corporation, partnership, or even another LLC. By contrast, an S Corp is limited to 100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or residents and it cannot be owned by another business.
4. LLC and S Corp Structures Offer the Same Liability Protection
Both LLCs and S Corps protect your personal assets from business debts and claims. In either case, creditors generally cannot pursue your home, car or personal savings. While courts can “pierce the veil” in rare situations involving fraud or poor recordkeeping, the risk is the same for both structures.
5. It’s Easy To Raise Money as an LLC
Some sources suggest there are S Corp advantages over LLCs when it comes to raising money. But in practice, lenders care more about financial health than entity type. If your company is profitable with a clear repayment plan, banks view you as a strong candidate regardless of structure. Financing often still requires personal guarantees, so the difference is minimal. If outside investors prefer more corporate formalities, you can add provisions like a board or bylaws in your LLC’s operating agreement.
6. Converting to a Corporation Isn’t Difficult
If investors want your company structured as a corporation, conversion is usually straightforward. Most states let you file a certificate of conversion with supporting documents and a fee. You may also need to notify the IRS and pay for legal or accounting support, but you don’t have to dissolve your LLC or start over.
7. Having “Inc.” After Your Business’ Title Isn’t as Important as It Used To Be
“Inc.” once carried prestige, but today many successful companies operate entirely online or identify as LLCs. The distinction matters less across most industries. State rules can differ, so consult an advisor before deciding. The goal is choosing the entity that offers the right balance of protection, tax treatment and flexibility.
What Are the Differences Between LLC and S Corp?
The difference between an S Corp and an LLC is that S Corps face stricter ownership limits and governance requirements, while LLCs provide more flexibility in management and membership.
S Corps must follow corporate rules, such as appointing directors and limiting shareholders to 100 U.S. citizens or residents. LLCs, by contrast, can have unlimited members, including other business entities and usually require only an operating agreement. The table below outlines the main contrasts.
LLC vs. S Corp Comparison
| Feature | LLC | S Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Liability Protection | Members’ personal assets are generally shielded from business debts and claims | Shareholders’ personal assets are generally shielded from business debts and claims |
| Taxation | Pass-through by default; income reported on members’ returns | Pass-through; income reported on shareholders’ returns (avoids double taxation) |
| Ownership | Unlimited members; no restrictions on citizenship or entity type | Up to 100 shareholders; must be U.S. citizens or residents; no corporate or LLC owners |
| Governance | Fewer requirements; operating agreement sets the rules | Must adopt bylaws, appoint a board, hold meetings and record minutes |
| Profits & Distributions | Divided according to operating agreement | Divided by share ownership; owners who work in the business must take a “reasonable salary” |
| Conversion Flexibility | Can elect S Corp taxation or convert later if needed | More limited flexibility once status is chosen |
| Best Fit For | Businesses seeking simplicity and operational flexibility | Businesses looking for stricter structure and specific tax planning strategies |
LLC or S Corp: Your Questions Answered
Is LLC Better Than S Corp?
An LLC can be better than an S Corp if you’re starting small and want to keep paperwork, costs and formalities to a minimum. By contrast, an S Corp may be the better choice if you expect to grow quickly, take on employees or want the added credibility that comes with corporate structure.
How Do Taxes Work for a Small Corporation vs. LLC?
Taxes for a small corporation vs. LLC differ mainly in distributions and compliance. LLCs pass income directly to members by default, while S Corps must pay owner-employees a salary before profits are distributed.
What Factors Should I Consider When Deciding Between an LLC or S Corp?
When weighing LLC vs. S Corporation, the biggest considerations are taxation, ownership rules and compliance requirements. Each structure has trade-offs and the right choice depends on your growth plans and tolerance for paperwork.
Additional Resources
To learn more about this topic, you can read through additional resources from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
- Limited liability company (LLC) | Internal Revenue Service
- LLC filing as a corporation or partnership | Internal Revenue Service
- Instructions for Limited Liability Company Reference Guide Sheet
- S Corporations | Internal Revenue Service
*This article is a high-level comparison of LLC vs. S Corporation and doesn’t take into consideration local requirements and the specifics of individual businesses. If you’re considering a change in structure you should work closely with your legal and financial advisors.
It’s true nowadays, LLC are more popular among social media influencers.
LLC’s aren’t taxed at all – they are meaningless from a tax standpoint, since all LLC’s MUST file as an S-corp, sole prop or partnership and that entity is what gets taxed, not the LLC. So they are NOT taxed the same as an S-corp (unless the LLC files as an S-corp).
Sole Props, Partnerships and S-corps all may qualify for the 20% QBID deduction. But only S-corp shareholders are exempt from the 15.3% self-employment tax sole props and partners must pay on 100% of the pass-thru income. That’s a significant tax savings!
As far as number of owners, LLC’s can’t have “unlimited” members unless they are filing as a partnership and the partnership agreement allows unlimited members. Otherwise they have ONE member (the sole proprietor) or up to 100 shareholders (under an s-corp).
ALL LLC’s must be S-corps, partnerships or sole props. Sole props and partners may be able to avoid personal liability by adding an LLC veneer (which should be weighed against the simplicity, and often lower cost, of an umbrella policy).
I have an S-Corp established in 1992 and LLC (S-Corp status) established in 2012. Everyone has commented and stated the taxation differences.
Most important is to document and maximize expenses to keep your tax liability low.
And… imagine being a top 10%’er or elected Fed level politician where you have dozens of LLC and S-Corps to bury personal benefits as business expenses.
Thank you for sharing, Andy!
Nice short article. How does one go about becoming a LLC?
That’s a complicated question that is outside of the scope of this article. It will depend on a lot of factors and should be discussed with your accountant.
Good Article. What is the difference between S and C corporations?
We’re glad you liked it, Lisa! You can read more about C and S Corps in the articles below:
https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/business-structure/s-corporations
https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/business-structure/c-corporations
This was very helpful. I now have a S Corp with the only members being my son & myself. I’m thinking that maybe I should convert to a LLC. What do you think?
Quite possible but it depends on a lot of factors specific to your business (s) and where you’re located. I suggest you go over the process with a tax advisor.
You left out one huge advantage of an “S” corp over an LLC. I am a one person S corp, and was previously an LLC
In an LLC, every $ is subject to Social security taxes. With an S corp, you pay yourself a salary, and the related SS taxes on that salary. The remaining profits are not subject to SS taxes, and can be taken as a distribution as desired.
“You will likely be able to take advantage of the Section 199A Qualified Business Income Deduction, which means that as much as 20% of your company’s income may not be subject to taxes.” You fail to mention that an S corp also receives this benefit.
Granted, my accounting costs are higher due to the more complex tax filing requirements; (about 1k/yr), but it more than offset by the SS savings of 12K+/yr.
Try running the taxes for 2 businesses; both with 150k in profits as an LLC, and as an S corp with the owner paying himself a 75k salary. I think you will find it an eye opener.
On the SS taxes, that is a great point and specific to you – and others – that may be a single-owned company. If that applies to your business then Regarding the QBI deduction as both LLCs and S-Corps are pass-through they share many features of a pass through entity, including the ability to take advantage of this great deduction (which unfortunately may expire after 2025). Thanks for reminding our readers.
This analysis doesn’t include the fact that a S-Corp offers the owners to pay themselves a reasonable salary and then the remaining net business income is not subject to payroll taxes.
Also, how are partnerships less expensive to operate than a S-Corp? Both require legal documents and separate tax returns.
Sole proprietors and S-Corp single owner-employees have the option to open a solo 401k to save for retirement and a possible greater contribution amount than a SEP IRA.
The article starts out discussing sole proprietors and then assumes that they get additional partners in order to form a partnership. What is the recommendation is the sole proprietor has no partners – what is the best option then?
S-Corps do offer this benefit but so may other pass-throughs like LLCs depending on your situation.
Partnerships can be less expensive depending on the number of partners/shareholders involved.
Thanks for mentioning the solo 401K options- that’s another great topic to explore for all entities as there are many 401k, IRA and SEP options for business owners.
Sorry but your first reason is grossly overstated. 100% of net income earned by a General Partner in a Partnership is subject to income tax and self-employment tax. In a S Corporation, only the W2 payments to the S Corp shareholders is subject to self employment tax. The definition of “reasonable compensation” has never been defined by statue. Thus, in most cases if a Shareholder pays themselves 60% of the net income through W2 wages, the balance of the net income can flow through to the taxpayer tax free of self employment taxes. Yes, it will reduce their future benefit (if it even will exist) but for someone who has put in 20 years plus in a W2 position prior to starting their own business, they need to understand the ramifications of the above as part of the decision process.
The issue I have with this article is an s-Corp does have the main benefit of tax saving on self employment tax after you pay a reasonable salary to yourself.
That may also be the case with other pass-throughs and depends on the specific situation of the business owner. SS taxes may not be due if the partner isn’t active. There are many variables. But your point is very valid and each business owner should discuss their personal details with their accountant.
Can you tell me, can I convert my LLC S-Corp back to an LLC?
The process is complicated and outside of the scope of this article. It also may depend on the state where your business (or businesses) are located. You should seek a tax advisor to help you with this.
Don’t forget to mention that LLC profits are subject to social security and medicare taxes if the members are active.
Agree but it depends on the specific circumstance of the business owner.
If you are Corporate, is it possible to go to an LLC?
Yes it is. The process is complicated and you should seek out a tax advisor to help.
Very informative article. One question: Is it possible to convert an existing S corp. to an LLC?
Yes, subject to certain requirements you can convert your S-Corp into an LLC. The process varies from state to state. You’ll need to have a corporate resolution and likely file a state-specific conversion certificate. There are many other variables so my suggestion is to speak to your accountant.
Hi, thanks for the great article. I’m a doctor. Can I form an LLC or does it have to be a “PC”?
The rules for professional care givers differ by state. In my state of Pennsylvania, for example, doctors can form what’s called a “professional limited liability company” which has specific limits on their liabilities. You would need to investigate what’s allowed in your state and consult with your accountant.
You probably meant to state C-Corp instead of S-Corp. No one can form an S-Corp as its just a tax classification. Revise so you do not misinform readers
Thanks for your comments. S-Corps do require formation as do C-Corps, LLCs, partnerships and other legal structures.
please confirm that S-corps can be formed. I thought it was a tax classification.
S corporations are a common type of legal entity recommended for small businesses. They carry the tax advantages of partnerships while providing the limited liability protections of corporations.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/subchapters.asp#:~:text=S%20corporations%20are%20a%20common,limited%
S Corp shareholders also qualify for the sec 199A 20% deduction. With an LLC, the member’s share of income is entirely subject to self employment tax if the business produces self employment income…..an S Corp is required to pay “reasonable compensation” which is subject to FICA and Medicare tax (requiring a w-2 etc. which is a nuisance for a small operation) but a shareholder’s income in excess of the reasonable compensation escapes self employment tax.
You are correct and thanks for the added information.
The obvious solution is to form an LLC and then file Form 2553 to elect to be taxed as an S Corp. Even a corporation must file Form 2553 before it will be taxed as an S Corp.
A single member LLC will report its activities on Schedule C and the owner will pay “self-employment tax” (Social Security and Medicare) in addition to regular income tax. That rate is 15.3% of the profit
A multi-member LLC will file as a partnership-all partners are considered general partners unless the partnership agreement shows otherwise. The partners general partners will also pay self-employment tax on their Schedule K1 distributions.
S corporation owners do not pay self-employment taxes on their Schedule K1 distributions.
Both entities have their benefits. It’s important, however, to compare all aspects, not just asset protection, as both provide that aspect.
Thank you
Thanks for providing this added detail.
What about S Corp will help me as one of the employees and take out all the necessary taxes, will LLC does that?
Yes, the taxation of your employees would be the same both under and S Corp or an LLC. However, self-employment taxes may be different for you or other owners. You should consult with your accountant about this issue.
What wasn’t mentioned about an LLC is that a single member LLC is a disregarded entity and still must file a Schedule C.
Thanks! We’ll consider this for a future article.
I’m interested in changing from an S corp to an LLC
This is a complicated transaction that involves many different factors and is outside of the scope of this article. You should speak to a tax advisor.
You talk about S-Corporations and LLC’s. I had been advised, years back, to become a C-Corporation. You don’t mention how these compare to the other 2 entities.
Thoughts?
Hi Alfred, thanks for reaching out. You can read more about each of those in the articles below:
https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/business-structure/limited-liability-companies
https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/business-structure/s-corporations
https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/strategy/business-structure/c-corporations
I’m an S Corp. What’s the process to change to an LLC?
Thanks
Subject to certain requirements you can convert your S-Corp into an LLC. The process varies from state to state. You’ll need to have a corporate resolution and likely file a state-specific conversion certificate. There are many other variables so my suggestion is to speak to your accountant.