LLC vs C corp in New Mexico: which costs less (2026)

At $100,000 profit in New Mexico, a single-member LLC costs $25,588 a year in tax and fees and a C corporation costs $30,036. On these figures a C corporation does not cost less at any profit up to $500,000.

+$4,448 a year

more for a C corporation than a single-member LLC in New Mexico, at these numbers.

With these settings the switch does not pay at any profit from $10,000 to $500,000. Setting up costs $50 once in state filing fees.

New Mexico, 2026: $100,000 profit, single filer

Item	LLC	C corp	Change
Self-employment taxirs.gov, 2026 rates	$14,130	$0	−$14,130
Federal income taxirs.gov, 2026 rates	$8,235	$4,863	−$3,372
State income taxrealfile.tax.newmexico.gov, checked Oct 20, 2026	$3,223	$2,618	−$605
Biennial Report (plus $25 initial report)nmonesource.com, checked Oct 20, 2026	$0	$13	+$13
Payroll tax on your salaryirs.gov, 2026 rates	$0	$6,510	+$6,510
Payroll service and tax return (estimate)	$0	$2,000	+$2,000
New Mexico corporate franchise taxtax.newmexico.gov, checked Oct 20, 2026	$0	$50	+$50
State corporate income taxtax.newmexico.gov, checked Oct 20, 2026	$0	$3,215	+$3,215
Federal corporate income tax (21%)irs.gov, 2026 rates	$0	$10,767	+$10,767
Yearly cost	$25,588	$30,036	+$4,448

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	C corp	Difference
$30,000	$5,464	$7,477	+$2,013
$50,000	$10,763	$13,154	+$2,391
$75,000	$17,605	$20,409	+$2,804
$100,000	$25,588	$30,036	+$4,448
$150,000	$43,107	$50,989	+$7,882
$200,000	$61,207	$71,129	+$9,922
$300,000	$105,321	$112,952	+$7,631

Federal and New Mexico tax and fees, single filer, revenue 1.5 times profit, default salary for S and C corps. "Difference" is C corporation minus Single-member LLC.

What the switch takes in New Mexico

Either convert the LLC to a corporation under state law, or keep the LLC and elect corporate tax treatment with IRS Form 8832.
Register with New Mexico as an employer and run payroll for your own salary: federal Forms 941 each quarter, Form 940 and a W-2 each year. New employers pay New Mexico unemployment tax at 1% on the first $34,800 of wages. oui.doleta.gov See what payroll costs.
Federal return each year: Form 1120, due April 15 for a calendar year.
State upkeep each year: Biennial Report (plus $25 initial report), $25 every two years, due 15th day of the fourth month after the tax year end, every two years. New for you: New Mexico corporate franchise tax.

What changes between the two

A C corporation pays 21% federal tax and New Mexico corporate tax on its profit, and the owner pays tax again on dividends (the double tax). An LLC pays no federal income tax itself: profit lands on the owner's return, where the 20% qualified business income deduction can apply.

The figures assume all C corp profit after tax is paid out as dividends. Profit kept in the company to grow it is taxed only at the corporate rate until it is paid out, which is where a C corp can come out ahead.

Questions

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

Nothing. C corporation costs $4,448 a year more ($30,036 against $25,588).

When does a C corp make sense in New Mexico?

Mostly when profit stays in the company, when outside investors need one, or for the qualified small business stock exclusion. For an owner who takes the profit out, the second tax on dividends usually costs more. On these figures it never costs less up to $500,000.

More for New Mexico

Common cases in New Mexico

Other states