Operating as a C Corporation: Weigh the Benefits and Drawbacks

When deciding on the best structure for your business, one option to consider is a C corporation. This entity offers several advantages and disadvantages that may significantly affect your business operations and financial health. Here’s a detailed look at the pros and cons of operating as a C corporation. Tax implications A C corporation allows the business to be treated and taxed separately from you as the principal owner. The corporate tax rate is currently 21%, which is lower than the highest non-corporate tax rate of 37%. One of the primary disadvantages of a C corporation is double taxation. The corporation’s profits are taxed at the corporate level and then any dividends distributed to shareholders are taxed again at the individual level. This can result in a higher overall tax...

The flat 21% federal income tax rate for C corporations under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has been great news for these entities and their owners. But some fundamental tax truths for C corporations largely remain the same: C corporations are subject to double taxation Double taxation occurs when corporate income is taxed once at the corporate level and again at the shareholder level as dividends are paid out. The cost of double taxation, however, is now generally less because of the 21% corporate rate. And double taxation isn’t a problem when a C corporation needs to retain all its earnings to finance growth and capital investments. Because all the earnings stay “inside” the corporation, no dividends are paid to shareholders, and, therefore, there’s no double...