BUSINESS STRUCTURE FORMATION

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Starting at $149 + state fees

Types of business structures at a glance

What is an LLC?

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is one of the most popular and versatile of business structures. Great for smaller organizations, LLCs are legal entities formed at the state level. They can have 1 or multiple owners.

Why form your LLC?

Limited liability protection! In many cases, you can reduce or even eliminate your personal responsibility for business liabilities and debts. You could protect your personal assets, such as your vehicle, house, and savings account in the event your LLC faces bankruptcy or lawsuits.

The record-keeping requirements are generally more simple, compared to corporations.

You’ll have the flexibility to choose how your business is taxed.

What are the tax implications?

Members of an LLC are generally considered self-employed.

LLCs can elect how they are taxed, depending on their structure.

You’ll be required to pay tax contributions to Medicare and social security.

HIGHEST POTENTIAL FOR TAX SAVINGS

What is an LLC + S Corp?

It’s all the benefits of forming an LLC with the added tax perks of an S Corp election. In short, it lets you avoid double taxation of your personal and business income. When you form your LLC + S Corp with Block Advisors, we first help you create an LLC, then file the S Corp election.

Why form your LLC with an S Corp election?

To avoid paying corporate tax rates.

To keep from being double taxed on your personal and business income.

You can limit tax liability on social security and Medicare by paying yourself as an employee.

What are the tax implications?

An LLC with an S Corp election keeps you from being double taxed on your personal and business income.

You’ll pay yourself as an employee of the LLC, which means you can limit your tax liability for social security and Medicare.

Your tax rate is income-based, so you may enjoy lower tax rates than corporations.

S Corp Savings Calculator

Use the calculator below to see if an S Corp election could help you save on your self-employment taxes.

Enter the expected net income (total revenue minus total expenses) of your business for the year.
Cannot be less than 1 or greater than 10,000,000
As an S Corp, you’ll be required to pay yourself a salary for the year, just like you would pay an employee. Determining a reasonable salary depends on a number of factors, but between 40% and 60% of net profits is average. Enter the salary amount you would expect to pay yourself for the year as an S Corp, or use the calculator default of 60%. For more information, see this article
Cannot be less than 0 or greater than 10,000,000
If you also have a 9-5 job, enter any additional W2 income for the year.
Cannot be less than 0 or greater than 10,000,000
If you’ve had Social Security withheld from your other W2 income, enter it here. Typically 7.65% of income is withheld up to $176,100.
Cannot be less than 0 or greater than Other W2 Annual Income
Enter any additional expected self-employed income for the year. For example, if you earned rental income from a vacation property.
Cannot be less than -10,000,000 or greater than 10,000,000

Estimated
tax savings

$0

Estimate based on data you provide. Overall tax results will vary based on your tax situation. Does not include additional fees like tax preparation, business registration, and payroll services.

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What is a C Corp?

A C Corp is a business structure for companies that potentially plan to go public one day, since unlimited shareholders are allowed.

Why form your C Corp?

The issuance of stock can help attract and retain employees and investors alike.

There’s no limit to the number of shareholders.

Your company will have the potential for unlimited life and plenty of room to grow.

What are the tax implications?

Income is taxed twice: once at the corporate level and again at the shareholder level when dividends are paid.

What is a nonprofit?

A nonprofit is a special type of business structure that exists to provide certain benefits to organizations whose main goal is service to the public. That includes community groups, churches, and certain charitable organizations.

Why form your nonprofit?

Most nonprofits are formed to provide a benefit to the public, with the same limited liability protection that could come with an LLC.

What are the tax implications?

Nonprofits are eligible for state, federal, and other tax exemptions.

You can apply for 501c3 status which means contributions would be tax deductible.

What structure is right for my business?

Whether you’re already in business or still in the planning phase, the right structure could offer protection or potentially save you money on your taxes. Answer six key questions to help you find your fit.

Take the quiz Learn more

Why form your business with Block Advisors?

Fast turnaround time

When you register with Block Advisors, your documents are prepared and filed with the state quickly — usually within 1 day for express orders.

Save time and avoid errors

We’ll help you form your business with confidence, ensuring the correct forms are submitted, saving you time and money, with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Potential tax savings

As a sole proprietor, all your profits are subject to self-employment tax. By forming your LLC with an S Corp election, you could potentially save thousands in taxes.

“Everybody told me that creating an LLC was a huge process. But Block Advisors made it so simple — it was a great value.”

Marie Soukup
Alpine Point Collective
Port St. Lucie, Florida

It could pay to form your business

Did you know you could potentially save on taxes by making an S Corp election? That means forming your business could help put money towards your bottom line during tax time.

Real estate agent

Let’s say you own a real estate business that makes around $50,000 in profit a year. If you convert that business to an S Corporation, you can use the money saved to create extra marketing materials!

Saved $3,240

Business entity formation FAQs

Business entities come with a variety of tax benefits. Depending on your business, you could save thousands in self-employment taxes by taking the S Corporation election. There are several steps involved. To be treated as an S Corp, after forming a corporation or LLC, the shareholders must make an election with the IRS. In addition, you will need to pay yourself a reasonable salary as a W2 employee and set up payroll and withholding. If your business is profitable, your payroll taxes and income tax from this salary may be offset by the savings you achieve on the self-employment tax. Important: for existing entities, the election must generally be made by March 15th of the year the election is to be effective.


In addition, a business generally can deduct the expenses directly related to its business activity — think advertising expenses, mileage, or professional services like what Block Advisors provides. Business credits for things like renewable energy, employee retirement plan, or health insurance may also be available depending on your circumstances. These credits would reduce a tax bill dollar for dollar.


The decision to form a business entity and take an S Corp election is an important one that includes many additional considerations. For example, as the owner of a business, you also need to ensure your business financials are maintained and updated (if you’re not already) and stay on top of annual business filing and other requirements depending on your state and industry. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate these considerations. Our products, services, and advice are not a substitute for an attorney, and we do not provide legal advice or perform services performed by an attorney.


Here’s a great article detailing potential incorporation tax benefits for small businesses.

How you choose a business structure depends on a lot of things. Each structure comes with its own specific rules, requirements, and considerations. The most common types of businesses are:

  • Sole Proprietorships
  • S Corp
  • C Corporations

Read on to learn more detail about different business structures.

Entity formation pricing can vary based on the requirements of the state in which you are registering your business. At Block Advisors, entity formation including EIN application prep generally starts at $149 (Standard) and ranges to $299 (Premium), plus state filing fees. Some states may require entity formation add-ons such as Initial Report for $55 plus state filing fees or publication for $200 plus publishing fees.


Other services include S Corp election for $99, 501(c)(3) application for $495 plus filing fees, Swyft Filings’ Registered Agent Service for $199 annually, or Swyft Filings’ ComplianceGuard service for $149 annually after 14-day free trial.

An EIN is an employer identification number and is needed in certain situations. For example, partnerships and corporations are required to have an EIN. Sole proprietorships and LLCs that have employees, pay excise tax, or contribute to a retirement plan also need an EIN. EINs are included with all of our packages.

An S Corp is a tax election for a small business corporation or LLC that allows the company to pass its income, loss, deductions, and credits through to its owners. The company itself is not subject to tax. And that income is subject to the shareholder’s individual tax bracket, which may be lower than self-employment tax.


To take an S Corp election, you’ll need your original business filing documents (either as an LLC or corporation) and an employee identification number (EIN). For an LLC, you will need to have “checked the box” to be taxed as a corporation. You will then file Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, with the IRS. If you select our S Corp product, we’ll take care of that for you.


While an S Corp election can help reduce your tax liability, there are a few extra steps you’ll need to do as part of your business operations. One of the biggest is making sure you’re drawing a reasonable salary and filing the necessary quarterly payroll and tax forms. You’ll also need to ensure your business financials are maintained and updated, as well as annual business filing requirements depending on your state and industry.

An LLC (or limited liability company) is popular among business owners because of the versatility that often comes with the LLC business structure. LLC owners typically have less formalities imposed on their business than other entity structures. If the LLC does not make the S Corp election, default tax rules mean LLC members must pay self-employment tax. If the LLC makes the S Corp election, working LLC members are treated as employees and their wages are subject to employment taxes. The LLC business structure is often recommended for smaller organizations.


Check out this article to learn how an LLC is taxed.

Often a sole proprietor means someone who operates a business but reports the income on their individual taxes and doesn’t have a separate legal entity. LLCs are a legal entity that can provide personal liability protection, even if still owned by a single person. In other words, it can protect the owner’s personal assets from certain business debts or liabilities. Sole proprietors and single member LLCs are taxed in the same way, unless another tax structure (like an S Corp) is elected.


Check out this article to learn more about how a sole proprietor is taxed.
Check out this article to learn how an LLC is taxed.

Most traditional corporations like the ones that are traded on the stock market are C Corp. A C Corp is a tax status that is subject to double taxation — the C Corp pays tax on its income and the shareholders pay tax on the dividends they receive from the corporation. The corporate tax rate is less than the individual tax rate.

A nonprofit is a business structure that has requested tax-exempt status from the state and/or IRS. The nonprofit does not pay tax on its income provided the income is from activities associated with the nonprofit’s charitable purpose. Examples of nonprofits can range from charities to your kids’ local sports club.

We are happy to help! If you have questions, live support is available Monday through Friday, 8:00AM – 6:00PM Central Time. You may email info@mail.incorporate.hrblock.com or call (877) 472-1095. You can also access the chat function through the account management portal.

See all FAQs

We’ve got the expert insights your business needs

Check out our resource center to learn more about taking your business from self-employed to an LLC, C Corp, or S Corp.

Why is choosing the right business entity important?

The type of business you choose is critical as it affects everything from the taxes you pay to different liabilities.

Read more

LLC vs. S Corp: What tax implications are there for my business?

As you start a new business, you must decide on a legal business entity. While many options exist, many business owners debate LLC vs. S Corp.

Read more

LLC vs. C Corp: What’s the difference for my taxes?

As you contemplate what to register your business under, you might come across two options: An LLC and a C Corp. We can help you understand both.

Read more

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