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

At $100,000 profit in Missouri, an LLC taxed as an S corp costs $20,875 a year in tax and fees and an S corporation costs $20,890. On these figures an S corporation does not cost less at any profit up to $500,000.

+$15 a year

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

With these settings the switch does not pay at any profit from $10,000 to $500,000. Setting up costs $8 once in state filing fees. As an S corporation this uses the state's pass-through entity tax election, which lowers the cost here.

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

Item	LLC as S corp	S corp	Change
Payroll tax on your salaryirs.gov, 2026 rates	$6,376	$6,376	$0
Payroll service and tax return (estimate)	$1,800	$1,800	$0
Missouri pass-through entity tax, paid by the company (elected)dor.mo.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$2,580	$2,579	−$1
Federal income taxirs.gov, 2026 rates	$9,176	$9,172	−$4
State income tax, after the PTET creditdor.mo.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$943	$943	$0
Annual Registration Reportsos.mo.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$0	$20	+$20
Yearly cost	$20,875	$20,890	+$15

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	$6,969	$6,986	+$17
$50,000	$10,707	$10,724	+$17
$75,000	$14,169	$14,186	+$17
$100,000	$20,875	$20,890	+$15
$150,000	$35,423	$35,438	+$15
$200,000	$50,770	$50,785	+$15
$300,000	$83,928	$83,942	+$14

Federal and Missouri 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 Missouri

File the Articles of Incorporation (Form Corp 41) with the state: $58 (fee).
Federal return each year: Form 1120-S, due March 15, plus your own Form 1040.
State upkeep each year: Annual Registration Report, $20 a year, due End of the anniversary month of incorporation.

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 (Form LLC-1) and no yearly report fee, a corporation files Articles of Incorporation (Form Corp 41) and Annual Registration Report, $20 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 Missouri?

Nothing. S corporation costs $15 a year more ($20,890 against $20,875).

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

For federal tax, yes. For Missouri fees and paperwork, no: the LLC pays no yearly report fee and the corporation Annual Registration Report, $20 a year.

More for Missouri

Common cases in Missouri

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