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

At $100,000 profit in Washington, an LLC taxed as an S corp costs $20,610 a year in tax and fees and an S corporation costs $20,610. 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 Washington, at these numbers.

With these settings the switch does not pay at any profit from $10,000 to $500,000.

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

Item	LLC as S corp	S corp	Change
Annual Reportsos.wa.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$70	$70	$0
Payroll tax on your salaryirs.gov, 2026 rates	$6,786	$6,786	$0
State disability and paid leaveesd.wa.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$555	$555	$0
Payroll service and tax return (estimate)	$1,800	$1,800	$0
Washington business and occupation (B&O) tax, service and other activitiesdor.wa.gov, checked Oct 23, 2026	$2,250	$2,250	$0
Federal income taxirs.gov, 2026 rates	$9,149	$9,149	$0
Yearly cost	$20,610	$20,610	+$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	$7,231	$7,231	+$0
$50,000	$10,277	$10,277	+$0
$75,000	$12,677	$12,677	+$0
$100,000	$20,610	$20,610	+$0
$150,000	$34,573	$34,573	+$0
$200,000	$49,316	$49,316	+$0
$300,000	$80,811	$80,811	+$0

Federal and Washington 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 Washington

File the Articles of Incorporation with the state: $200 (fee).
Federal return each year: Form 1120-S, due March 15, plus your own Form 1040.
State upkeep each year: Annual Report, $70 a year, due Last day 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 Certificate of Formation and Annual Report, $70 a year, a corporation files Articles of Incorporation and Annual Report, $70 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 Washington?

Nothing. S corporation costs $0 a year more ($20,610 against $20,610).

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

For federal tax, yes. For Washington fees and paperwork, no: the LLC pays Annual Report, $70 a year and the corporation Annual Report, $70 a year.

More for Washington

Common cases in Washington

Other states