K-1 profit - subject to Self-Employment tax?
Answer:
In an S corporation, only the salary paid to the employee-owner is subject to employment tax.
The remaining income that is paid as a distribution is not subject to employment tax under IRS rules. Therefore, there is the potential to realize substantial employment tax savings.
A major factor that differentiates an S corporation from an LLC is the employment tax that is paid on earnings.
The owner of an LLC is considered to be self-employed and, as such, must pay a “self-employment tax” of 12.3% which goes toward social security and Medicare. The entire net income of the business is also subject to self-employment tax.
The remaining income that is paid as a distribution is not subject to employment tax under IRS rules. Therefore, there is the potential to realize substantial employment tax savings.
A major factor that differentiates an S corporation from an LLC is the employment tax that is paid on earnings.
The owner of an LLC is considered to be self-employed and, as such, must pay a “self-employment tax” of 12.3% which goes toward social security and Medicare. The entire net income of the business is also subject to self-employment tax.