turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Single Member LLC

How do I set up my single member LLC to prevent self-employment tax?

Connect with an expert
x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

7 Replies

Single Member LLC

You can’t avoid self employment tax. 

Single Member LLC

You would need to set up a multi member LLC and then have your SSN on your 1099-Form replaced with the EIN for the business. The business will still have to pay taxes as an S corporation depending upon your state.  

Single Member LLC

Which is more tax saving efficient S Corp or Single member?

PoojaT27
Employee Tax Expert

Single Member LLC

A single member LLC is treated as sole proprietorship on the tax return nd the net profit from that is self employment income subject to self employment tax. 

One way to reduce self employment tax is to elect to treat your LLC as an S Corporation on your tax return.   You can classify some of your income as salary and some as a distribution. You'll still be liable for self-employment taxes on the salary portion of your income, but you'll just pay ordinary income tax on the distribution portion. Depending on how you divide your income, you could save a substantial amount of self-employment taxes just by electing to treat your LLC as an S Corporation on the tax return. 

 

How an S-Corp Can Reduce Your Self-Employment Taxes

 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Single Member LLC

If that is the case, what do I do with the EIN from the single member LLC ?

Single Member LLC

But, as an officer/owner of the S corp, you would have to take a salary that is more than a "token" salary.  FMV salary for work/duties performed. 

**Disclaimer: Effort has been made to offer correct information; but due to the discussion forum limitations, the poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the poster's response**
Carl
Level 15

Single Member LLC

The SE tax can't be avoided. As a single member LLC the business is considered a disregarded entity for tax purposes.  The SE tax is the employer paid side of your social security and Medicare tax. So as a disregarded entity you pay it.

As an S-Corp and with you as an employee of that S-Corp, the corporation is the employer and the corporation pays that tax. So it gets paid one way or the other.

 

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question
Manage cookies