StructureCost2026

LLC vs S corp in North Carolina: which costs less (2026)

At $100,000 profit in North Carolina, a single-member LLC costs $25,695 a year in tax and fees and an LLC taxed as an S corp costs $21,115. An LLC taxed as an S corp starts to cost less from about $52,500 of profit.

More settings revenue, salary, filing status, payroll costs, PTET

$4,580 a year

saved by switching from a single-member LLC to an LLC taxed as an S corp in North Carolina, at these numbers.

Switching from a single-member LLC to an LLC taxed as an S corp starts to pay at about $52,500 of profit, with the same settings. As an LLC taxed as an S corp this uses the state's pass-through entity tax election, which lowers the cost here.

North Carolina, 2026: $100,000 profit, single filer

ItemLLCLLC as S corpChange
Annual Reportsosnc.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026$200$200$0
Self-employment taxirs.gov, 2026 rates$14,101$0−$14,101
Federal income taxirs.gov, 2026 rates$8,202$9,155+$953
State income tax, after the PTET exclusionncdor.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026$3,192$1,087−$2,105
Payroll tax on your salaryirs.gov, 2026 rates$0$6,504+$6,504
Payroll service and tax return (estimate)$0$1,800+$1,800
North Carolina franchise tax (S corporation)ncdor.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026$0$200+$200
North Carolina pass-through entity tax, paid by the company (elected)ncdor.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026$0$2,169+$2,169
Yearly cost$25,695$21,115−$4,580
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

ProfitLLCLLC as S corpDifference
$30,000$5,935$7,589+$1,654
$50,000$11,224$11,243+$19
$75,000$17,914$14,545−$3,369
$100,000$25,695$21,115−$4,580
$150,000$42,793$35,356−$7,437
$200,000$60,487$50,398−$10,089
$300,000$103,035$82,990−$20,045

Federal and North Carolina tax and fees, single filer, revenue 1.5 times profit, default salary for S and C corps. "Difference" is LLC taxed as an S corp minus Single-member LLC.

What the switch takes in North Carolina

  1. Check the business can elect: no more than 100 shareholders, all of them US citizens or residents (no nonresident alien owners), and one class of stock. IRS
  2. File IRS Form 2553 to elect S corp tax treatment, within 2 months and 15 days of the start of the tax year it should apply to. See how the S corp election works.
  3. Register with North Carolina 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 North Carolina unemployment tax at 1% on the first $34,200 of wages. des.nc.gov See what payroll costs.
  4. Federal return each year: Form 1120-S, due March 15, plus your own Form 1040.
  5. State upkeep each year: Annual Report, $200 a year, due April 15 each year after the year of formation. New for you: North Carolina franchise tax (S corporation).

What changes between the two

A plain LLC pays self-employment tax of 15.3% on 92.35% of all profit, up to the Social Security wage base of $184,500. Taxed as an S corp, the business pays you a salary, and only the salary carries Social Security and Medicare tax. The rest comes out as a distribution.

The election adds costs: a payroll service, a separate business tax return (Form 1120-S), federal and North Carolina unemployment tax on the salary, and North Carolina franchise tax (S corporation). The calculator counts $1,800 a year for payroll and the return. The IRS expects a reasonable salary for the work, so it cannot be set near zero.

Questions

At what profit does an S corp election pay in North Carolina?

About $52,500 a year, on the default salary (40% of profit, at least $30,000 where profit allows) and $1,800 of yearly payroll and return costs. Change the salary in the calculator to see how the point moves.

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

$4,580 a year: Single-member LLC $25,695, LLC taxed as an S corp $21,115.

Does North Carolina recognise the S corp election?

Yes. No separate state form is needed.

More for North Carolina

Common cases in North Carolina

Other states