10/04/2026
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of S Corporations
S corporations can be one of the most effective tax structures for a profitable small business—but they’re also widely misunderstood.
🟢 THE GOOD
Self-employment tax savings. Owners who work in the business generally receive reasonable compensation subject to payroll taxes, while additional profits may be distributed without self-employment tax.
Pass-through taxation. Income generally passes through to shareholders rather than being subject to federal corporate income tax.
Potential QBI deduction. Qualifying shareholders may also benefit from the §199A deduction.
🟡 THE BAD
More compliance. Payroll, bookkeeping, a separate tax return, basis tracking, and additional rules mean more administrative cost.
Reasonable compensation matters. You generally can’t avoid payroll taxes by taking everything as distributions.
Losses aren’t automatically deductible. Basis, at-risk, and passive activity limitations may apply.
🔴 THE UGLY
Ignoring shareholder basis until it becomes a problem.
Taking large distributions with little or no salary.
Using the business account like a personal checking account.
Electing S status simply because someone said, “It will save you taxes.”
The bottom line: An S corporation isn’t a tax strategy—it’s a tax structure. When it fits the business and is managed correctly, it can be extremely effective. When it doesn’t, it can create unnecessary cost, complexity, and tax problems.
The real question: Does an S corporation make sense for YOUR pharmacy?
Visit www.rx-advisors.com to schedule a complimentary income tax review for your pharmacy.