If you are starting a new business, one of the most important decisions you have to make is choosing the right type of business structure. Your business structure will affect how you operate, manage, and pay taxes for your business. By selecting the appropriate business structure, you can minimize your tax liability and maximize your profits.

​Here’s a closer look at the most common business structures and the tax obligations associated with each one:

A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common type of business structure. It involves only one person who owns and runs the business. It is not a separate legal entity from the owner, so the owner is personally responsible for all the assets and liabilities of the business.

A sole proprietorship is also not a separate tax entity from the owner. This means that the owner reports all the income and expenses of the business on their personal income tax return (Form 1040) using Schedule C or C-EZ. The owner also pays self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) on the net profit of the business using Schedule SE.

The advantages of a sole proprietorship are that it is easy and inexpensive to set up and operate and that the owner has complete control and flexibility over the business. The disadvantages are that the owner has unlimited personal liability for the business debts and obligations and that the owner may have difficulty raising capital or transferring ownership.

A partnership is a type of business structure that allows two or more people to share the ownership and operation of a business. The partners can be individuals, corporations, trusts, or other entities. The partners agree on how to run the business, divide the profits and losses, and resolve any disputes. The partnership agreement can be written, oral, or implied by the partners’ actions.

One of the main features of a partnership is that it is a pass-through entity, meaning that the partnership itself does not pay income tax. Instead, the partnership passes through its income and losses to the partners, who report them on their personal tax returns. The partnership must also file an annual information return (Form 1065) with the IRS, which shows the partnership’s income, expenses, and distributions to the partners. The partnership also has to provide each partner with a Schedule K-1, which shows the partner’s share of the partnership’s income, deductions, credits, and other items.

The partners in a partnership are also subject to self-employment tax, which covers their Social Security and Medicare contributions. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% of the partner’s net earnings from the partnership, up to a certain limit. The partners can deduct half of their self-employment tax as an adjustment to income on their tax returns.

​The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up and maintain. It allows for more flexibility and creativity in managing the business without the need to follow strict regulations. The disadvantage is that the owner has unlimited personal liability for the business debts and obligations even if they are not directly involved in the business operations. It can face more complexity and uncertainty in its tax reporting and compliance, as the partnership has to deal with different federal, state, and local tax rules and regulations.

A C corporation is a more complex and formal type of business structure. It is a separate legal entity from its owners (called shareholders), who own shares of stock in the corporation. A corporation can have one or more shareholders who elect a board of directors to manage the business. A corporation can also have employees hired by the board of directors or officers appointed by the board.

A corporation is also a separate tax entity from its owners. This means that a corporation files its income tax return (Form 1120) and pays corporate income tax on its profits. The shareholders also pay personal income tax on any dividends they receive from the corporation. This creates a double taxation situation, where the same income is taxed twice at the corporate and individual levels.

The advantage of a corporation is that it provides limited liability protection for its owners, meaning that they are not personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business. A corporation also has more credibility, stability, and access to capital than other types of business structures. The disadvantages are that it is more costly and time-consuming to set up and maintain and is subject to more regulations and compliance requirements than other business structures.

An S corporation is a special type of corporation that elects to be taxed as a pass-through entity. This means an S corporation does not pay corporate income tax on its profits. Instead, the profits are passed through to its shareholders, who report them on their income tax returns (Form 1040) using Schedule K-1. The shareholders also pay self-employment tax on their share of the profits using Schedule SE.

An S corporation has to meet specific criteria to qualify for this tax treatment, such as having no more than 100 shareholders, having only one class of stock, and having only eligible shareholders (such as individuals, estates, or certain trusts). An S corporation must also file an election form (Form 2553) with the IRS within a specific time frame.

The advantage of an S corporation is that it avoids double taxation, meaning that its profits are only taxed once at the individual level. Like a regular corporation, an S corporation also provides limited liability protection for its owners. The disadvantages are that it has some of the same drawbacks as a regular corporation, such as higher costs, more regulations, and more paperwork than other business structures.

A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid type of business structure that combines some features of a corporation and some features of a partnership. An LLC is a separate legal entity from its owners (called members), who can be individuals, corporations, or other entities. An LLC can have one or more members who share in the profits and losses of the business.

An LLC is not a separate tax entity from its owners. This means that an LLC does not file its own income tax return or pay income tax on its profits. Instead, an LLC can choose how it wants to be taxed: as a sole proprietorship (if it has one member), as a partnership (if it has two or more members), or as a corporation (if it elects to do so). The members report their share of the income and expenses of the LLC on their personal income tax returns using Schedule C, K-1, or 1120S, depending on how they choose to be taxed.

The advantages of an LLC are that it provides limited liability protection for its owners, like a corporation, and has more flexibility and simplicity in its management and taxation, like a partnership. The disadvantages are that it may have to pay state fees or taxes to operate as an LLC, and that it may have more difficulty raising capital or transferring ownership than a corporation.

Choosing the right business structure is crucial for minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your profits. Each business structure has its own tax obligations and advantages, so it is important to consult with a tax professional or an accountant to determine which structure is best for your business.

Contact us to learn more about how different business structures affect your taxes. We offer professional financial services that can address your tax needs and let you focus on expanding your business.