Unlike an S Corporation or an LLC, it pays taxes at the corporate level. This means it is subject to the disadvantage of double taxation. As well, a C corp also must comply with many more federal and state requirements than an LLC. C corporations provide the following considerable advantages: Separate legal identity.
Disadvantage #1: Not Making Enough Taxable Income If your business is not earning enough income, the costs of an S-Corporation may outweigh the benefits. Many tax advisors believe that business income should exceed $40,000 before considering an S-Corporation.
S Corporation Shares This can range from 10,000 shares to 1 million shares of S corporation stock. The amount decided on by the owner must be detailed in the Articles of Incorporation when the business is formed. S corporations can only issue one class of stock, while C corporations can issue multiple stock classes.
Because of the one-class-of-stock restriction, an S corporation cannot allocate losses or income to specific shareholders. Allocation of income and loss is governed by stock ownership, unlike partnerships or LLCs taxed as partnerships where the allocation can be set in the partnership agreement or operating agreement.
One major advantage of an S corporation is that it provides owners limited liability protection, regardless of its tax status. Limited liability protection means that the owners' personal assets are shielded from the claims of business creditors—whether the claims arise from contracts or litigation.
Stock represents a share of ownership in a corporation. A bond is a security that represents a debt owed by the corporation to the bondholder, but does not include the ownership privileges of a stockholder.
Step 2: Weigh the pros and cons Advantages: Enhanced credibility, access to capital, limited liability, and the ability to attract investors and top talent. Disadvantages: Higher setup and maintenance costs, double taxation, extensive record-keeping and reporting requirements, and reduced privacy.
You don't often think of corporations as a one-person show, but guess what? It's totally possible. Your business can be comprised of only you—provided you get along well with yourself. You can be the CEO, Treasurer, Secretary, and the only shareholder of the company.
Each shareholder's initial investment represents his beginning "stock basis". A capital account is set up for each shareholder.
With certain exceptions, a corporation is treated as having only one class of stock if all outstanding shares of stock of the corporation confer identical rights to distribution and liquidation proceeds. The regulations then elaborate on how to analyze if there are identical distribution and liquidation rights.