Both offer liability protection and unique tax advantages, but they diverge significantly in terms of ownership structure, management complexity, and growth potential. Understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring your company is not only compliant but also strategically positioned for the future.

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C Corp vs. LLC: How to Make the Right Business Choice in 2025

Because the IRS closely monitors this area, failing to pay a reasonable salary is one of the most common triggers for an audit of S corporations. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, including how to calculate a defensible salary, the IRS factors to consider, and how to build airtight documentation that protects your business in an era of AI-powered tax enforcement.

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Guide to Calculating Reasonable Compensation for S Corps

This move can unlock thousands of dollars in tax savings each year while also positioning your business with a stronger financial infrastructure that supports your long-term growth ambitions. In this guide, we’ll explain how S corp taxation works, when it makes sense, and how to calculate your potential savings. We’ll also cover the compliance steps, pros and cons, and advanced considerations so you're equipped to make an informed decision.

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How Much Can You Save if Your LLC is Taxed as an S Corp?

Forming a multi-member LLC is a popular choice among entrepreneurs due to its flexibility, favorable corporate tax considerations, and liability protections, among other benefits. But before you make the leap, you should know what you're jumping into.&nbsp;

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Complete Guide to Multi-Member LLCs in 2025

The answer is yes, but the path to maximizing this deduction requires careful planning, strict compliance with IRS rules, and a long-term strategy. This guide walks through the deduction methods, depreciation strategies, and compliance requirements you need to know in 2025.&nbsp;

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Can an LLC Write Off a Car Purchase? The 2025 Guide

Electing S corporation tax status can unlock meaningful savings and signal a new stage of professionalism in your business. It also introduces stricter compliance requirements, payroll responsibilities, and a key challenge: determining a “reasonable salary.”

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Single-Member LLC Taxed as S Corp: Pros, Cons & How To

Selecting the optimal entity has numerous benefits and can make a positive impact immediately. For example, small business owners can cut their tax burden in half in their first year of operation, potentially turning a loss into a profit, with proper entity selection.

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Form 2553: Guide to S Corp Election & Requirements

The Section 199A deduction, also known as the qualified business income deduction (QBI), has been critically important to small business owners since it was introduced in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-provision-11011-section-199a-qualified-business-income-deduction-faqs" target="_blank">Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017</a>. This deduction has been popular primarily because it allows business owners and entrepreneurs to deduct up to 20% of QBI, which provides significant tax relief and opportunities for pro-growth reinvestments.Because this deduction was supposed to sunset after 2025, there has been much debate legislatively and in the business community over what to do about it and other temporary pro-business features of the TCJA. Many business leaders and pro-business politicians view the deduction as a public good. In contrast, opponents argue it's unnecessary, disproportionately benefits wealthier taxpayers, and hasn't been a significant economic driver.Maximizing every eligible tax credit and deduction, including QBI, is an essential business practice, made easier with expert support from 1-800Accountant. Our tax professionals will maximize your business deductions based on the latest changes and updates to tax law, while periodically tweaking tax strategy throughout the year, ensuring compliance.Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about how the 199A deduction works in 2025 and how to calculate it.<h2>Key Highlights</h2><ul><li>Learn what the 199A deduction is and how it impacts taxable income.&nbsp;</li><li>View who qualifies, including eligible entity types and income thresholds.&nbsp;</li><li>Refer to our step-by-step guide to calculating the QBI deduction.</li><li>Understand the most common 199A deduction mistakes and how to avoid them.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>What Is the 199A Pass-Through Deduction?</h2>Similar to corporate tax relief, the 199A deduction intended to help small business owners throughout the United States, many of whom operate as a pass-through entity for tax purposes. Pass-through entities aren't taxed at the corporate level. Instead, income is passed through to owners to be taxed at the individual taxpayer level. Types of pass-through entities include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Sole proprietorships&nbsp;</li><li>Partnerships&nbsp;</li><li>LLCs</li><li>S corporations</li></ul>While the 199A deduction and other aspects of the TCJA have been popular, the temporary status, which was supposed to sunset after 2025, had been a source of concern for many small business owners who have benefited from the relief it provided.&nbsp;<h2>Does 199A Reduce Taxable Income?</h2>Tax credits pay part of the tax you owe,&nbsp;<a href="https://1800accountant.com/blog/small-business-tax-deductions-checklist">whereas tax deductions reduce your overall taxable income</a>. The 199A deduction is a significant small business tax deduction as it can reduce qualified business income by 20%.The deduction lowers your income before taxes are applied, which decreases the corresponding taxes you will owe.QBI Deduction ExampleIn this simplified scenario, a sole proprietor filing as single has $50,000 in taxable qualified business income at a 20% rate.<ul><li>The sole proprietor will owe&nbsp;$10,000&nbsp;without the QBI deduction.&nbsp;</li><li>The sole proprietor will owe&nbsp;$8,000&nbsp;with the QBI deduction.</li></ul>The $2,000 difference is significant and helps illustrate why so many business owners support making the deduction permanent.&nbsp;<h2>Who Qualifies for the 199A Deduction?</h2><h3>Eligible Entity Types</h3>Most entity types qualify for the 199A deduction, with C corporations being a notable exception. If you operate as one of the following entities, you most likely qualify for this deduction:&nbsp;<ul><li>Sole proprietorships&nbsp;</li><li>Partnerships&nbsp;</li><li>LLCs</li><li>S corporations</li></ul><h3>SSTB vs. Non-SSTB</h3>A specified service trade or business (SSTB) is a business where the principal asset is a skill or reputation of key owners and employees. SSTBs include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Lawyers&nbsp;</li><li>Doctors&nbsp;</li><li>Accountants&nbsp;</li><li>Consultants&nbsp;</li></ul>Because these are examples of high-earning professions, they might not be able to take full advantage of the QBI deduction. If single or joint filers are within the phase-out range, they won't likely be able to claim the full deduction, and if they exceed it, they won't be eligible for the 199A deduction. 2025 phase-out range:&nbsp;<ul><li>Single: $197,300 – $247,300</li><li>Joint: $394,600 – $494,600</li></ul>Non-SSTBs can also take the QBI deduction, assuming they meet eligibility requirements. Examples of non-SSTBs include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Retail</li><li>Construction&nbsp;</li><li>Manufacturing &nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Income Thresholds</h3>If income thresholds are exceeded, you won't likely be able to take the 199A deduction, and you won't be able to claim the full 20% if your income lands in the phase-out range. The IRS has set the following phase-out range for single and joint filers:&nbsp;<ul><li>$197,300 – $247,300 for single filers&nbsp;</li><li>$394,600 – $494,600 for joint filers</li></ul>Remember, if you exceed the phase-out range, you are ineligible for the QBI deduction.<h2>How to Calculate the 199A Deduction</h2>There are a couple of steps you must take to calculate this deduction, along with several other stipulations and limits to account for, especially for businesses and individuals with incomes beyond defined thresholds.&nbsp;Step 1: Calculate QBIBefore you can count the deduction, you must add up the relevant income. QBI includes the net total of all your company’s income, gains, losses, and deductions over the given tax period.However, you should subtract from your QBI any earnings that come from investments or other unqualified income from commodity or currency trading.If you operate multiple businesses, you should keep the income totals separate and calculate the deduction for each.Step 2: Apply Income ThresholdsIndividuals at higher income levels and in certain professions, such as those considered SSTBs, are limited in their use of the QBI deduction. Where you fall in these requirements depends not on your QBI but on your total taxable income from all sources.2025 199A deduction phase-out ranges:<ul><li>Single: $197,300 – $247,300</li><li>Joint: $394,600 – $494,600</li></ul>Generally, if your income is less than $197,300 (single) or less than $394,600 (joint) annually, you can take full advantage of this deduction.Step 3: Apply W-2 Wage and Property LimitationsThe 199A deduction is capped at a percentage of wages or qualified property. Qualified property is tangible depreciable property, including buildings, equipment, and machinery. If your taxable income exceeds the 2025 QBI deduction thresholds, it will be limited to the lesser of 20% of your qualified business income or the greater of:<ul><li>25% of W-2 wages paid plus 2.5% of the unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition (UBIA) of qualified property</li><li>50% of W-2 wages paid by the business</li></ul>Step 4: Determine Final DeductionIf your total taxable income is low enough, then you qualify to deduct a full 20% of your business income from your taxable income. Review other income scenarios via this table.<table><colgroup data-width='750'><col style="width:19.7115%"/><col style="width:26.442299999999996%"/><col style="width:53.846199999999996%"/></colgroup><tbody><tr><td>Filing Status</td><td>Taxable Income&nbsp;</td><td>QBI Deduction Eligibility</td></tr><tr><td>Single</td><td>$197,300</td><td>Full 20% QBI deduction, but it is limited by taxable income and net capital gains, and applies to SSTBs and non-SSTBs.</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>$197,301 - $247,300</td><td>The deduction phases out for non-SSTBs and may be reduced for SSTBs.&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>$247,300</td><td>No deduction applies for SSTBs. For non-SSTBs, limitations apply based on W-2 wages and qualified property.</td></tr><tr><td>Joint</td><td>$394,600</td><td>Full QBI 20% deduction, but it is limited by taxable income and net capital gains, and applies to SSTBs and non-SSTBs.</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>$394,601 - $494,600</td><td>The deduction phases out for non-SSTBs and may be reduced for SSTBs.&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>$494,600</td><td>No deduction applies for SSTBs. For non-SSTBs, limitations apply based on W-2 wages and qualified property.</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Potential 2025 Changes to the 199A Deduction</h2>While the TCJA introduced the QBI deduction to business owners in 2017, it was only a temporary measure that would sunset after 2025. However, due to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the QBI deduction is now a permanent feature of the tax code.Phase-out rules still apply, but the One Big Beautiful Bill Act expands the income ranges (both amounts are indexed for inflation starting in 2026) over which the deduction is reduced:<ul><li>Single filers: Phase-in range increased from $50,000 to $75,000.</li><li>Joint filers: Phase-in range increased from $100,000 to $150,000.</li></ul>It's difficult to describe the impact of the QBI deduction's permanence as anything but a positive for small businesses. Small business owners and entrepreneurs will still enjoy the reduced tax liability and opportunities to reinvest in their operations, but now they have something else after years of speculation: certainty. This certainty, knowing that the 199A deduction is permanent, allows for planning and implementation of a long-term tax strategy involving business optimization, a compensation plan, and coordination with retirement contributions.&nbsp;Maximize the benefits of the permanent QBI deduction with&nbsp;<a href="https://1800accountant.com/services/business-tax-advisory">1-800Accountant's year-round tax advisors</a>&nbsp;supporting your ambitions. &nbsp;<h2>Common Mistakes to Avoid</h2>While the 199A deduction offers many benefits, there are common mistakes and issues to avoid if you handle your small business's financial work. QBI-related mistakes to avoid include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Misclassifying business type.</li><li>Miscalculating QBI by including ineligible income.</li><li>Missing phase-out rules for SSTBs.</li><li>Not planning purchases or wages strategically.</li></ul>Steering clear of these mistakes eliminates disruptions and promotes smooth operations.&nbsp;<h2>FAQs</h2>Does rental income qualify for 199A? Rental income can qualify for the 199A deduction, provided it meets criteria that other income is generally subject to. If the collection of rental income is regular, continuous, and conducted with a profit motive, it will likely qualify for this deduction.&nbsp;Can multiple businesses be aggregated? Aggregation allows business owners to combine income, W-2 wages, and UBIA of qualified property from multiple businesses to maximize the QBI benefit. To qualify for the aggregation of multiple businesses, you must meet two of the following three criteria: the businesses must provide common products or services, share facilities or operations, and be operated in coordination with each other.&nbsp;How does 199A interact with retirement plan contributions? Retirement contributions can reduce your qualified business income used to calculate the 199A deduction. In general, QBI is based on net business income after deductible expenses, which includes contributions to retirement plans.&nbsp;What happens after 2025 if Congress takes no action? The 199A deduction/pass-through deduction 2025 has been made permanent due to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/" target="_blank">Had it not been passed by Congress</a>, there's a chance that this deduction would have adhered to its previously scheduled sunset date, after 2025.&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion &amp; CTA</h2>The 199A deduction offers significant tax relief to small businesses equipped to maximize the savings it provides. However, navigating its complexities and understanding the rules governing thresholds and eligibility can be enough to discourage business owners without professional support. A dedicated accountant or accounting team ensures QBI and other eligible deductions apply to your taxable income.Effortlessly manage 199A deduction considerations with the help of 1-800Accountant, America's leading virtual accounting firm. Our suite of affordable, tax-deductible financial services, including&nbsp;<a href="https://1800accountant.com/services/business-tax-advisory">year-round tax advisory</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://1800accountant.com/services/small-business-taxes">business tax preparation</a>, is handled on your behalf, so you can spend more time focusing on your next business milestone instead of agonizing over which deductions and credits to take.Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a small business expert today to get started.

Maximizing every eligible tax credit and deduction, including QBI, is an essential business practice. Because this deduction was supposed to sunset after 2025, there has been much debate legislatively and in the business community over what to do about it and other temporary pro-business features of the TCJA. Many business leaders and pro-business politicians view the deduction as a public good.

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199A Pass-Through Deduction: How Does it Work in 2025?

Many entrepreneurs reach a point where self-employment taxes cut too deeply into profits, which is when the S corp election becomes a smarter financial model. But this decision also introduces new responsibilities. Making the right decision requires a clear understanding of the tax benefits, drawbacks, and procedural requirements.

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How to Change LLC to S Corp: A Step-by-Step Guide

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