LLC taxed as S corp vs S corporation in Maryland: which costs less (2026)

At $100,000 profit in Maryland, an LLC taxed as an S corp costs $21,993 a year in tax and fees and an S corporation costs $21,993. On these figures an S corporation does not cost less at any profit up to $500,000.

+$0 a year

more for an S corporation than an LLC taxed as an S corp in Maryland, at these numbers.

With these settings the switch does not pay at any profit from $10,000 to $500,000. Setting up costs $20 once in state filing fees. As an S corporation this uses the state's pass-through entity tax election, which lowers the cost here.

Maryland, 2026: $100,000 profit, single filer

Item	LLC as S corp	S corp	Change
Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1)dat.maryland.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$300	$300	$0
Payroll tax on your salaryirs.gov, 2026 rates	$6,383	$6,383	$0
Payroll service and tax return (estimate)	$1,800	$1,800	$0
Maryland pass-through entity tax, paid by the company (elected)marylandcomptroller.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$4,775	$4,775	$0
Federal income taxirs.gov, 2026 rates	$8,735	$8,735	$0
Yearly cost	$21,993	$21,993	+$0

What these figures count

State income tax, and state taxes on the business itself: franchise, LLC, S corp, gross receipts and excise taxes.
Social Security and Medicare on both sides of an owner salary, federal unemployment tax and the state's new-employer rate.
The 20% qualified business income deduction with its income limits and the professional-service rule.
Yearly report fees, and a cost you can change for payroll and the business tax return.

Many S corp calculators leave out state taxes and the QBI deduction, which can make the election look better than it is.

Yearly cost at each profit level

Profit	LLC as S corp	S corp	Difference
$30,000	$7,816	$7,816	+$0
$50,000	$11,504	$11,504	+$0
$75,000	$15,437	$15,437	+$0
$100,000	$21,993	$21,993	+$0
$150,000	$36,517	$36,517	+$0
$200,000	$51,833	$51,833	+$0
$300,000	$84,519	$84,519	+$0

Federal and Maryland tax and fees, single filer, revenue 1.5 times profit, default salary for S and C corps. "Difference" is S corporation minus LLC taxed as an S corp.

What the switch takes in Maryland

File the Articles of Incorporation (stock corporation) with the state: $120 (fee).
Federal return each year: Form 1120-S, due March 15, plus your own Form 1040.
State upkeep each year: Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1), $300 a year, due April 15 (online extension to June 15).

What changes between the two

Both are taxed the same way by the IRS once the election is made: salary with payroll tax, the rest as a distribution, one Form 1120-S. The difference is state law: an LLC files Articles of Organization and Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1), $300 a year, a corporation files Articles of Incorporation (stock corporation) and Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1), $300 a year.

A corporation also has formalities an LLC skips: a board, bylaws, share records and yearly minutes. Most one-person businesses pick the LLC route for that reason.

Questions

How much does it save at $100,000 in Maryland?

Nothing. S corporation costs $0 a year more ($21,993 against $21,993).

Is an LLC taxed as an S corp the same as an S corp?

For federal tax, yes. For Maryland fees and paperwork, no: the LLC pays Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1), $300 a year and the corporation Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return (Form 1), $300 a year.

More for Maryland

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