Last Updated: October 1, 2024
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Considering launching an S corporation in North Dakota? Opting for S corp status could be a savvy tax strategy for your business. This designation is particularly noteworthy for its tax savings potential, making it a worthwhile consideration for entrepreneurs. For owners of a limited liability company (LLC) in North Dakota, transitioning to an S corp could be a game-changer in managing self-employment taxes. Generally, all profits from an LLC are subject to these taxes. However, with S corp status, you can distinguish between your salary and the business’s profits. This means you only face self-employment taxes on the salary you draw, leaving any additional profits distributed as dividends free from these taxes.
This article aims to guide you through setting up an S corp in North Dakota, highlighting how this tax election can help ensure your business benefits from a more favorable tax treatment, all while maintaining compliance with state regulations.
You’re now familiar with the term S Corporation. As a North Dakota business owner, you’ve probably also heard the term C Corporation before. S Corps and C Corps aren’t different types of business entities. They are ways the Internal Revenue Service defines and classifies your company for tax purposes.
While becoming a North Dakota S Corp can be a great, tax-efficient idea for many businesses, the Internal Revenue Service places some limitations on who can choose S Corp status. Before making the election, make sure your company meets North Dakota S Corporation requirements:
If you meet these requirements, then you may want to file Form 2553 and elect North Dakota S Corp status.
Taxes are a common concern for business owners, especially when the time comes to file your corporation income tax return. S corporations are businesses that have limited corporate shareholders but aren’t subject to double taxation.
As we’ve mentioned, a North Dakota S corp is a way to classify your business for tax purposes. Most businesses are legally distinct from their owners and shareholders. An S corp election helps the IRS distinguish which parties associated with your North Dakota business should be taxed at what rate. This includes North Dakota income tax rates.
There are two main differences between S Corps and C Corps:
North Dakota corporations are treated as C Corps unless and until you make an election otherwise, so be sure you don’t miss any election deadlines.
When you file Form 2553, the IRS provides instructions on how to complete the form. You’ll need to make the election within a specific time frame depending upon your business circumstances. You should note that you may not need to file the form at the same time you create your North Dakota business entity.
If your entity has been up and running for months or even years, you may be able to make a new tax election at the start of a new tax year or after certain deadlines. If you want to make a new election and miss the deadline, it can seriously impact your tax obligations.
An S Corp designation can have some benefits for a limited liability company (LLC), like saving on self-employment taxes. For a traditional corporation (C Corp), an S Corp designation can help avoid double taxation. Check out our what is an S Corp page to learn more.
A North Dakota S Corp requires a few steps to form, from entity formation to finalizing tax elections. We’ll take a deeper dive into tax elections later in this article. Before you can make a tax election, you’ll first need to form a business entity (either an LLC or a corporation) in North Dakota. We’ll walk you through how to do that.
For detailed formation steps, see our North Dakota LLC formation guide.
For detailed formation steps, see our North Dakota Corporation formation guide.
The next step to creating your S Corp in North Dakota is applying for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Once you apply for your EIN, you can decide whether you want to make an S Corp election.
Form 2553 is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form where you’ll make your tax treatment election. Once you’ve applied for and received an EIN, you’re ready to take the final step to make an S Corp election in North Dakota. That final step is completing and filing Form 2553 with the IRS.
If your North Dakota business is an LLC, you may need to take an interim step and file for C Corp status before you can take the final step of filing Form 2553. Check with your tax professional if this applies to you.
There are many pros and cons of electing North Dakota S Corp status.
Some pros include:
This isn’t an exhaustive list. There are many more positive aspects to creating a tax-efficient North Dakota S Corp that may apply to your business.
Some cons of electing to become an S Corporation in North Dakota include:
If you have more questions about weighing the specific pros and cons of S Corp status for your business in North Dakota, you may want to consult an accountant or other tax professional.
Recommended: Start a South Dakota Corporation
Our formation services can help your North Dakota corporation get the right tax treatment for your business goals and needs. We can assist you through all stages of your business growth — from forming your entity quickly, keeping you compliant, and helping you learn about your tax obligations.
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First and foremost, an S Corp is not a business structure like a limited liability company (LLC) or C Corp. It’s actually a tax designation that these two business types can apply for with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If you’re looking to start an LLC in North Dakota with an S Corp classification, then we have a service to help you do that. We have additional services that can help you run and grow your business and remain compliant at the state and federal levels.
An LLC can make an S corp election in North Dakota. LLC owners usually choose S corp status for tax and accounting reasons. North Dakota S corp status can help mitigate some issues related to self-employment and other taxes. We provide great tax resources for small businesses and can help guide you through some of the benefits of S corp status for self-employed business owners.
Benefits to creating a North Dakota S Corp include personal asset protection, pass-through taxation, and accounting flexibility.
Be sure to follow all state laws when choosing the name for your business entity.
The IRS needs to know that you’ve elected S Corp tax treatment. Other than that, there is no need for your S Corp status to be reflected in the name of your business.
A qualified bookkeeper or accountant will be able to tell you how to calculate taxes for your North Dakota S Corp.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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