S-Corp Election Breakeven Calculator
Example: Net self-employment income: 120000 $ · Reasonable officer salary (IRS requires reasonable compensation): 70000 $
| Net annual tax savings after S-corp costs | $6,245 |
| SE tax as sole proprietor | $16,955 |
| FICA tax as S-corp owner (on salary only) | $10,710 |
| Months until setup cost is recovered | 3.84 |
Worked example
With $120,000 in net income and a $70,000 reasonable salary, a sole proprietor pays $16,955 in SE tax (15.3% on 92.35% of $120,000). An S-corp owner pays FICA only on the $70,000 salary: about $10,710. Gross savings: $6,245. After $2,000 in estimated S-corp accounting and payroll costs, net savings are $4,245/year. The one-time setup cost (~$2,000) is recovered in about 5.6 months.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a reasonable salary?
The IRS requires S-corp owner-employees to pay themselves a salary comparable to what a third party would earn for the same work. There is no fixed formula, but courts and the IRS look at industry data, hours worked, and the profits of the business. Paying yourself $30,000 while taking $200,000 in distributions is a red flag for audit. Many CPAs recommend paying at least 40–60% of net income as salary in profitable businesses.
At what income does an S-corp election typically make sense?
Most CPAs suggest $50,000–$80,000+ in net self-employment income as the threshold where S-corp savings start to meaningfully exceed the costs of additional accounting, payroll processing, and state fees. Below that, the complexity often outweighs the benefit.
Are there states where an S-corp election costs extra?
Yes. California, for example, levies an $800 minimum franchise tax plus a 1.5% income tax on S-corp net income. New York City taxes S-corps at the full corporate rate. Some states do not recognize S-corp status at all and tax them as C-corps. Run state-specific numbers with a local CPA.