The tax part of running an LLC, explained
Practical guides on every form you will encounter: Schedule C, 1065, 1120-S, 5472, quarterly estimates, S-Corp payroll. Written for founders, not tax accountants. Cross-checked against current IRS instructions.
Six core guides
Schedule C for single-member LLCs
If you are a single-member LLC and have not elected S-Corp, your business income flows through to your personal return on Schedule C.
Form 1065 for multi-member LLCs
Multi-member LLCs are partnerships for tax purposes. You file 1065 + K-1s to members. No tax paid at the LLC level.
Form 1120-S for S-Corp elected LLCs
S-Corp filers report business income on Form 1120-S and distribute K-1s. The owner takes a W-2 salary plus distributions.
Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs
If you are a non-US person owning a US single-member LLC, you must file Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 every year. Penalty: $25,000.
Quarterly estimated taxes for LLC owners
Most LLC owners owe quarterly estimated taxes. Underpayment penalty starts if you owe $1,000+ at filing.
S-Corp payroll setup
After electing S-Corp, you must run yourself through payroll. Here is the practical setup.
A note on tax advice
These guides are educational, not personal tax advice. Tax outcomes depend on your specific situation, the state you operate in, your overall income picture, and changes in tax law. For decisions with material tax consequences (the S-Corp election, foreign-owned filings, structuring multi-member ownership, major property transactions), work with a tax professional. Our accountant directory includes specialists in foreign-owned LLCs, S-Corp transitions, and e-commerce sales tax.
Every deadline that matters to your business, in one view
Federal, state, and tax deadlines color-coded by category. Hover any day for details. We file the green ones automatically on Compliance Annual Filings ($129/yr) or as one-time services.
March 2026 · sample compliance month
One number that tells you whether your business is in good standing
Pulled from federal, state, tax, and beneficial-ownership status across every entity you operate. Powered by the same data we file with. Updates daily.
The 72 in state annual report is your DE filing due in 8 days. Compliance Annual Filings ($129/yr) files it automatically 14 days before due; the score will hit 100 the morning after submission.
At a glance
- What is it
- Tax center is a regulated business process governed by federal or state agencies. File.Business handles the paperwork, filings, and tracking for you.
- Why it matters
- Doing this correctly the first time avoids penalties, late fees, and personal liability exposure for owners.
- Who needs it
- Any US business that has triggered the relevant requirement - usually based on entity type, state, or business activity.
- When it is due
- Deadlines vary by agency and state. We track your specific dates and remind you ahead of any filing window.
- How it works
- Tell us what you need, review the prepared filing, and we submit through the agency's official channel.
- What it costs
- Pricing is shown on this page with state and federal fees disclosed separately from our service fee.
- Risks of skipping
- Penalties, administrative dissolution, loss of liability shield, blocked transactions, or audit triggers depending on the filing.
- Alternatives
- File directly with the agency yourself, hire a law firm, or use a competing service. File.Business is the fastest premium option.