North Carolina S Corporation
Advantages Disadvantages





North Carolina S Corporation Advantages Disadvantages

Should I form a North Carolina S Corporation?

The S Corporation:

North Carolina S Corporation
Advantages Disadvantages - An "S Corporation" is a corporation that elects to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code (enacted in 1958 and periodically amended) and receives IRS approval of its request for Subchapter S status. As a legal entity (an artificial person), the S Corporation is separate and distinct from the corporation's owners (the stockholders). Under North Carolina incorporation law, there is no distinction between a C corporation and an S corporation.

North Carolina S Corporation
Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of the S Corporation:

  • The independent life of the corporation makes possible its continuation, and the relatively undisturbed continued operation of the business regardless of incapacity or death of one or more stockholders.


  • Fractional ownership shares are easily accommodated in the initial offering of stock.


  • The purchase, sale, and gifting of stock make it possible to have changes in ownership without disturbing the corporation's ability to conduct business.


  • The requirement that the corporation's finances and records be separate from the finances and records of stockholders reduces the risk of unrecognized equity liquidations.


  • With only a few exceptions, under the Subchapter S election for taxation as a partnership the S corporation pays no income taxes and corporation income or loss is passed through direct to the stockholders.


  • To the extent the corporate shield is maintained and other investments and savings of the stockholders are not at risk, the personal life of stockholders is simplified.


  • The annual meetings of stockholders and consultations with legal counsel can provide stimulus for improved communication within the stockholder group (often a family group) and can provide more comprehensive guidance for management.


  • Depending on the corporation's business record and the policies and practices of prospective lenders, access to credit and the ability to secure needed resources may be improved.


  • Earnings representing "return on investment" (interest, rental payments, etc.) are not subject to self-employment tax as long as stockholder-employees receive adequate compensation for labor and management of the business.


Disadvantages of the S Corporation:

  • Lenders may require personal guarantees from corporate officers as a condition of supplying credit, thus negating the limitation of liability.


  • Conflicts or disagreements among the stockholders may immobilize decision making.


  • Restrictions on the sale of stock and/or buy-back agreements included in the bylaws may prevent minority stockholders from being able to recover the value of their investment in the corporation.


  • Through the processes of gifting and inheritance, stock ownership can become divided among many persons who are not active in the business and they may become a voting block that does not support needs and decisions believed desirable by managing stockholders.


  • Over time, corporation paid benefits for stockholder-employees may become costly and exceed the ability of the business to pay.


  • Employment benefits such as life insurance, health insurance, and housing costs are taxable income to stockholder employees with 2 percent or more stock ownership and to employees who are directly related to persons owning 2 percent or more of the corporation stock.


  • If appreciated assets are owned by the corporation and the corporation is dissolved, significant income taxes on the appreciation amount will be generated.


North Carolina S Corporation Advantages Disadvantages

North Carolina's 2009 Business Tax Climate Ranks 39th

North Carolina ranks 39th in the Nation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property. Neighboring states ranked as follows: Tennessee (17th), Georgia (27th), South Carolina (25th) and Virginia (15th).

North Carolina's Individual Income Tax System

North Carolina's personal income tax system consists of three brackets, with a top rate of 7.75% kicking in at an income level of $60,000. Among states imposing personal income taxes, North Carolina's top rate ranks 12th highest nationally. North Carolina's 2006 income tax collections were $1,079 per person, which ranks 13th highest in the nation.

North Carolina's Corporate Income Tax System

North Carolina's corporate tax structure consists of a flat 6.9% rate. Among states levying corporate income taxes, North Carolina's top rate ranks 27th highest nationally. In 2007, state-level corporate tax collections (excluding local taxes) were $175 per capita, ranking the state the 21st highest nationally.

North Carolina's Sales Tax Rate below National Median; Cigarette Tax Relatively Low

North Carolina's state sales tax rate stands at 6.75%, above the national median of 6%. State and local governments combined collected $773 per capita in general sales taxes in 2006, which ranks 34th highest nationally. North Carolina's gasoline tax is variable and currently stands at 30.2 cents per gallon, which ranks 14th highest nationally. North Carolina's cigarette tax stands at 35 cents per pack of twenty and ranks 47th highest nationally. The sales tax was adopted in 1933, gasoline tax in 1921, and the cigarette tax in 1969.

North Carolina Property Taxes: Comparatively Low

North Carolina's localities collected $796.12 per capita in property taxes in fiscal year 2006, which is the latest year the Census Bureau published state-by-state property tax collections. North Carolina is one of the 13 states that collect no state-level property taxes. Its per capita property tax collections in FY2006 rank 38th nationally.

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