Today we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of a C corp, but first we want to quickly touch on some other relevant things to you as a small business owner.
Recession:
The threat of one hangs in the air like a Midwest thunderstorm. But as you watch the forecast, you don’t have to wait by for it to hammer your business. You can make recession-proof moves, like choosing the right business entity structure, to help your business now.
Even Congress is trying to make an impact. The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act could actually mean good things for your business.
Advising you on the right moves to make is something we live for at TCG Accounting. If you’re in need of some guidance in your business to prepare for stormy weather, let’s talk: 218-623-6050
Now, last week, we gave you an overview of the various business entity types. So this week, we want to dive into the most popular one – the C corp – to help you determine if it’s right for your business.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
TCG Accounting’s C Corp Pros and Cons
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
It’s only natural that you may pick the corporate structure of your company based on the one you’ve heard the most about. Sure, the C corp is a prevalent corporate structure, but what are its benefits and drawbacks?
This decision is huge for your company, so make sure the C corp is right for you. Here’s what you need to know.
The basics
The C corporation is named after the subchapter of the Internal Revenue Code that covers its tax designation. It’s a legally formed, separate entity that protects its owners/shareholders from its debts, among other benefits. A C corp can borrow money, sell stock and engage in investment contracts. For federal income tax purposes, a C corp is recognized as a separate taxpaying entity.
Generally, a corporation conducts business, realizes net income or loss, pays taxes and distributes profits to shareholders. The profit is taxed to the corporation – the current corporate rate is 21%, though that may increase. Then the shareholders pay income tax on it when the profit is distributed as dividends.
So, can this can create a double tax? Well, the corporation also doesn’t get a tax deduction when it distributes dividends to shareholders, and shareholders can’t deduct any loss from the corporation.
You form a C corp by, among other tasks, filing with your state. These corporations operate according to state law; rules vary from state to state. Your best bet is to set up the corporation in the state where your operation is based.
The pros
C corps may not be best for all small business owners (see below). But if you’ve been in business long enough to want both flexibility and the chance to responsibly raise capital, a C corp may be the way to go. Besides, you’d be surprised at how many C corps have fewer than 500 employees. Below are some advantages.
Limited Personal Liability: This is one of the biggest draws. Forming a C corp turns your business into a legal entity separate from you and your personal assets. This means neither one can be seized in a lawsuit that relates to your business, or by creditors looking to square a business debt.
In short, no shareholder, officer, or director is liable for debts of the corporation, unless corporate law is breached or a personal guarantee is given. Judges have been known to rule that a C corp structure just masks shady business dealings, but these instances are rare and unlikely to apply to you and your business.
Investors: A C corporation can sell stock or shares, either common or preferred, and there’s no limit to the number of shareholders (see below). You can also have international shareholders. C corps can go public – the glorious IPOs – and offer employees a stock option plan.
Investors and venture capitalists (there’s no limit to the those, either) tend to view C corps as more reliable and ultimately more profitable companies. So do lenders and other types of financers.
Flexibility on taxes. C corps have more tax options than sole proprietorships, LLCs, LLPs, and S corps do. Yes, C corp business profits can become subject to double taxation, as we mentioned. But there are ways to trim this burden: Shareholders can be given a salary, for instance, and the corporation can write this money off as a business expense. Portions of startup costs are also deductible, and you can divide profits and losses between the business and the owners to create an overall lower tax rate (talk to us about other tax-saving tactics).
Legal precedents: Corporate law is well established, and C corps have both been around a while and been the subject of many decisions. Should you find yourself in court regarding your company, your outcomes will likely be much less surprising.
The cons
No decision is one-sided in business, and picking a C corp has its potential wrinkles.
Higher costs. This is where the double taxation we covered comes in (you also can’t write off business losses on your personal return). You pay various state and federal filing fees, plus, like we said, your tax situation can be more complicated. Fees can be repeated, and tax filing becomes more involved. This means you need additional skilled professionals such as lawyers to help you.
More paperwork: You have to file a number of documents including Articles of Incorporation, corporate bylaws, corporate minutes, certificates of good standing, and, when the C corp gets enough shareholders, registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Again, you’ll also have to pay for expert advisors to handle all this.
More structure. This isn’t a business entity you run off your dining room table. For one, you have to hold formal shareholder meetings every year and keep detailed records of those meetings.
Even with these downsides, it’s easy to see why C corps are popular.
Choosing a business entity is an important decision and one that should not be done without examining all the possibilities. Let’s talk about your options soon!
No matter what lies ahead, my team and I being here for you is something you can count on.
In your corner,
TCG Accounting
(218) 623-6050
