S-Corp election, done right.
Most self-employed Utahns overpay self-employment tax for years before anyone runs the numbers. We run the numbers, file Form 2553, and set up reasonable compensation that holds up under audit.
Should you be an S-Corp?
An S-Corp election can save Utah small business owners thousands per year by reducing the self-employment tax on profits above a reasonable salary. But it adds payroll, an extra federal return (Form 1120-S), and a state return (TC-20S). It only makes sense once your numbers are big enough.
A few signs the conversation is worth having:
- ◆Net business income that's holding above ~$60–80k
- ◆You're paying full self-employment tax on every dollar of profit
- ◆You've never run yourself a W-2 paycheck
- ◆You're worried Form 2553 has to be filed at a specific time
- ◆You're not sure what 'reasonable compensation' actually means
The full election.
Filing Form 2553 is the easy part. The work that actually saves taxes, and keeps the IRS satisfied, happens before and after.
Viability analysis
We model your numbers (net SE income, anticipated growth, payroll cost) and tell you, in dollars, whether the S-Corp election saves you money this year and next.
Form 2553 filing
Federal election prepared and filed. We handle late-election relief under Rev. Proc. 2013-30 when you're past the deadline (you usually are).
Reasonable compensation study
A defensible W-2 salary based on your role, hours, industry, and Utah-specific comp data. It's the single biggest IRS audit trigger for S-Corps.
Accountable plan setup
Reimburse yourself tax-free for home office, mileage, and cell phone. Most one-owner S-Corps skip this and overpay tax.
Payroll guidance
We help you stand up Gusto or your preferred provider, set the right pay frequency, and align quarterly tax deposits with your distributions.
1120-S return preparation
Year after year. We file the federal 1120-S, the Utah TC-20S, K-1s for shareholders, and reconcile owner draws and basis along the way.
Try it yourself.
We built Entity IQ, a free web app that runs the S-Corp viability math the same way we'd run it on a call. It's a fast, plain-English read on whether the conversation is worth having.
Open Entity IQ →Stop leaving SE tax on the table.
A 30-minute call is enough to know whether an S-Corp election fits your situation, and roughly what it would save.