S Corp guides & Form 2553 explainers.
Plain-English answers to the questions our customers ask before they file. Written by the team that prepares, signs, and dispatches Form 2553 every day — not legal advice, but the field-tested how-to.
What is IRS Form 2553? The Complete 2026 Guide to Filing Your S Corp Election
Form 2553 made simple. Step-by-step instructions, the 2026 deadline, eligibility rules, late-election relief, where to fax it, and how to avoid the mistakes that get S Corp elections rejected.
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CP261I got my CP261 letter — now what? (post-election checklist)
Got your CP261 acceptance letter? Here's exactly what to do next — payroll setup, tax form changes, deadlines you'll start hitting, and what to put in your records.
S CorpS Corp vs C Corp in 2026: The $35,000 Question Most Small Business Owners Get Wrong
S Corp vs C Corp explained for solo owners and small businesses. Real $200k example, when each one wins, the QSBS exit math, and the gotchas your CPA might not mention.
State filingDoes my state require a separate S Corp election? (5-state breakdown)
Five states require a separate state-level S Corp election even after you file federal Form 2553. Here's the list, the forms, the deadlines, and the gotchas.
Tax savingsHow much does an S Corp election actually save? (with worked examples)
Real numbers, real math. How much does an S Corp election actually save you in self-employment tax — and at what profit level does it stop being worth it?
Form 2553Late S Corp election: how Rev. Proc. 2013-30 relief works (2026 guide)
Missed the March 15 deadline to elect S Corp status? Rev. Proc. 2013-30 gives you up to 3 years and 75 days to file a late election. Here's exactly how it works.
Tax savingsWhat Does It Really Cost to Maintain an S Corp? (2026 Annual Cost Breakdown)
The honest cost of running an S Corp in 2026. Payroll, bookkeeping, 1120-S tax prep, state franchise fees, registered agent, and the hidden costs nobody talks about. Plus break-even math.
S CorpHow S Corp Basis Works (and Why It Matters): The 2026 Owner's Guide
S Corp basis explained in plain English. Stock basis vs. debt basis, what increases and decreases it, the AAA, Form 7203, distributions in excess of basis, and the mistakes that cost owners thousands.
SalaryWhat Is a Reasonable Salary for an S Corp Officer? (2026 Guide With Examples)
How much should you pay yourself as an S Corp owner? A friendly guide to IRS reasonable compensation rules, the three valuation approaches, real industry benchmarks, and audit-proof documentation.
Tax savingsHow Is an S Corp Taxed? The Complete Plain-English Guide for 2026
How an S Corp is actually taxed — federal pass-through, state-level treatment, payroll taxes, distributions, K-1s, built-in gains tax, and how owners report it on their personal returns.
Entity choiceCan an LLC Be Owned by an S Corp? (Yes — Here's How It Works in 2026)
Can an S Corp own an LLC? Yes, and there are smart reasons to do it. A plain-English guide to single-member LLC subsidiaries, multi-member LLCs, QSubs, holding company structures, and the mistakes to avoid.
Tax savingsThe Real Benefits of an S Corp in 2026 (With Examples That Actually Make Sense)
What are the benefits of an S Corp? A plain-English breakdown of the tax savings, retirement perks, liability shield, and credibility wins, plus the situations where the math doesn't work.
Entity choiceS Corp vs LLC: The Complete 2026 Guide (Tax Savings, Real Examples, and How to Decide)
S Corp vs LLC explained in plain English. See real tax savings examples, when an S Corp election actually saves you money, costs, mistakes to avoid, and how to choose.