J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2013: Your Complete Guide to a Better Bottom Line

S Corporations and Their Shareholder-Employees

There are about 4 million S corporations, making these entities the most prevalent type of corporation. More than 66% of all corporations file a Form 1120S, the return for S corporations. About 78% of S corporations have only 1, 2, or 3 shareholders.

NOTE

State laws vary on the tax treatment of S corporations for state income tax purposes. Be sure to check the laws of any state in which you do business.

S corporations are like regular corporations (called C corporations) for business law purposes. They are separate entities in the eyes of the law and exist independently from their owners. For example, if an owner dies, the S corporation’s existence continues. S corporations are formed under state law in the same way as other corporations. The only difference between S corporations and other corporations is their tax treatment for federal income tax purposes.

For the most part, S corporations are treated as pass-through entities for federal income tax purposes. This means that, as with partnerships and LLCs, the income and loss pass through to owners, and their allocable share is reported by S corporation shareholders on their individual income tax returns. The tax treatment of S corporations is discussed more fully later in this chapter.

S corporation status is not automatic. A corporation must elect S status in a timely manner. This election is made on Form 2553, Election by Small Business Corporations to Tax Corporate Income ...