Calculators
LLC vs S Corp vs C Corp Tax Calculator
Compare estimated total tax for the same profit taxed as a sole-member LLC, an S corporation and a C corporation.
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The tool
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What people use it for
- Deciding whether to elect S corporation status
- Discussing structure with an accountant
- Planning for a profitable year
- Understanding double taxation
About this tool
What the LLC vs S Corp vs C Corp Tax Calculator does
The same business profit is taxed differently depending on structure. A single-member LLC pays self-employment tax on all profit; an S corporation pays payroll tax only on a reasonable salary; a C corporation pays corporate tax and the owner pays tax again on dividends. This calculator compares the three using rates you choose.
Formula
- LLC: SE tax on profit + income tax on (profit − ½ SE tax) after QBI
- S corp: payroll tax on salary + income tax on salary and distributions + admin costs
- C corp: payroll tax on salary + income tax on salary + corporate tax + dividend tax on what is distributed + admin costs
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Business profit before owner pay | $150,000 |
| Owner salary (S corp and C corp) | $70,000 |
| Personal effective income tax rate | 22% |
| QBI deduction (LLC and S corp) | 20% |
| Corporate tax rate | 21% |
| Dividend tax rate | 15% |
| Social Security wage base | $184,500 |
| Extra annual cost of a corporation | $2,000 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Lowest estimated tax | S corporation |
| Saving against the highest | $11,078 |
| LLC total tax | $45,729 |
| S corp total tax and costs | $40,896 |
| C corp total tax and costs | $51,974 |
How to read the result
S corporation owners must pay themselves a reasonable salary for the work they do; setting it artificially low invites scrutiny.
C corporations can make sense when profits are reinvested rather than paid out, which this simplified comparison does not model.
Limits to keep in mind
- Uses a single effective personal rate rather than brackets.
- Ignores state taxes, retirement contributions and benefits.
Estimates only, not tax advice. Rates and thresholds change; confirm current figures with your tax authority or adviser.
Related calculators
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- Home Office Deduction Calculator: Compare the US simplified and regular home office deduction methods to see which gives the larger deduction.
- Reverse Sales Tax Calculator: Work backwards from a tax-inclusive total to the price before tax and the sales tax amount.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
Usually once profit comfortably exceeds a reasonable salary plus the extra running costs, because distributions above salary avoid payroll tax.
Profit is taxed at the corporate rate, then dividends paid from what remains are taxed again to the owner.
By default a single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship, but it can elect S or C corporation treatment.
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