How can I save money on my LLC taxes?

Asked by: Ariel Streich  |  Last update: December 14, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (29 votes)

The Internal Revenue Service offers a number of LLC tax write-offs for owners so you can reduce your taxable income and save money.
  1. Self-Employment Tax Deduction. ...
  2. Legal and Professional Fees. ...
  3. Automobile Expenses. ...
  4. Bank Fees and Interest. ...
  5. Home Office. ...
  6. Office Supplies. ...
  7. Travel Expenses. ...
  8. Phone and Internet.

Will an LLC save me money on taxes?

One of the main advantages of an LLC over other business entity types comes in the form of tax benefits. LLCs give business owners significantly greater federal income tax flexibility than a sole proprietorship, partnership and other popular forms of business organization.

How much should an LLC save for taxes?

To cover your federal taxes, saving 30% of your business income is a solid rule of thumb. According to John Hewitt, founder of Liberty Tax Service, the total amount you should set aside to cover both federal and state taxes should be 30-40% of what you earn.

What is the most tax efficient way to pay yourself in LLC?

Guaranteed payments are particularly beneficial for multi-member LLCs that file taxes as partnerships. This is because partners pay self-employment taxes on guaranteed payments in the same way they pay income taxes. Meaning they can either deduct or capitalize on a guaranteed payment.

How should I treat my LLC for tax purposes?

Classifications. Depending on elections made by the LLC and the number of members, the IRS will treat an LLC as either a corporation, partnership, or as part of the LLC's owner's tax return (a “disregarded entity”).

How to Save Money on Taxes with an LLC

27 related questions found

How do I avoid paying taxes on my LLC?

LLC owners can avoid paying employment taxes by making a corporate tax election with the IRS. The members of an LLC can choose to have the company be treated as a C-Corporation (C-Corp) or an S-Corporation (S-Corp) depending on which structure provides the biggest advantage to the business.

How much can an LLC write off?

Fortunately, LLC members can deduct up to $5,000 of costs from the first tax year if their total starting costs are $50,000 or less. These deductions decrease dollar by dollar if your startup costs exceed $50,000, and the remainder is deductible over 15 years.

Do I file my LLC and personal taxes together?

Can I File My LLC and Personal Taxes Separately? Yes, if your LLC is considered a corporation, then these taxes can be filed separately from your personal taxes. If your LLC is not considered a corporation, the taxes are to be filed with your personal taxes.

Can I transfer money from my LLC to my personal account?

Getting paid as a single-member LLC

This means you withdraw funds from your business for personal use. This is done by simply writing yourself a business check or (if your bank allows) transferring money from your business bank account to your personal account.

How do I maximize my LLC tax deductions?

Check with a tax professional if you're unsure.
  1. Payroll. If your business pays salaries, wages, or bonuses to W-2 employees, you can deduct those expenses. ...
  2. Startup costs. ...
  3. Self-employment tax deduction. ...
  4. Employee benefits. ...
  5. Home office expenses. ...
  6. Rent. ...
  7. Insurance. ...
  8. Marketing and advertising.

How much money can an LLC make before paying taxes?

There is no minimum income you have to meet before your small corporation is taxed. Every dollar it earns (after deductions and credits are factored in) will be taxed at 21%. Corporate tax rates also apply to limited liability companies (LLCs) who have elected to be taxed as corporations.

How much money should you keep in your LLC?

Most financial experts recommend three to six months of operating expenses, but using this for every business in every situation is misleading.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I put into my business account?

In most cases, your business does not pay taxes itself. Instead, earnings from your business— including money you pay yourself—“passes-through” to the personal tax returns (1040s) of the owners, and that is where it will be taxed.

What is the biggest disadvantage of an LLC?

A major disadvantage of an LLC is that owners may pay more taxes. When setting up as a pass-through to owners, they are subject to self-employment tax.

Will my LLC get a tax refund?

On the other hand, pass-through entities, such as LLCs and S corporations, don't pay taxes at the business level, so they wouldn't receive a refund for business taxes. However, they may be eligible for other tax refunds, such as payroll taxes, sales tax, or excise tax, depending on their situation.

What if my LLC doesn't make money?

An LLC may be disregarded as an entity for tax purposes, or it may be taxed as a partnership or a corporation. Even if your LLC has no income, you may be legally required to file taxes. There are other reasons besides legal compliance that you may want to file a tax return for an LLC with no income.

What is the best way to pay yourself from my LLC?

Instead, you pay yourself by taking money out of the LLC's profits as needed. That's called an owner's draw. You can simply write yourself a check or transfer the money for your business profits from your LLC's business bank account to your personal bank account. Easy as that!

Can I deposit LLC money into my personal account?

Even if it seems convenient to deposit checks made out to your business into your personal account, don't do it. While it's always recommended to keep business funds and personal funds separate, this scenario specifically raises red flags.

How is a single-member LLC taxed?

An individual owner of a single-member LLC that operates a trade or business is subject to the tax on net earnings from self employment in the same manner as a sole proprietorship.

How to save taxes with an LLC?

The Internal Revenue Service offers a number of LLC tax write-offs for owners so you can reduce your taxable income and save money.
  1. Self-Employment Tax Deduction. ...
  2. Legal and Professional Fees. ...
  3. Automobile Expenses. ...
  4. Bank Fees and Interest. ...
  5. Home Office. ...
  6. Office Supplies. ...
  7. Travel Expenses.

Can IRS go after my LLC for personal taxes?

However, a 2003 review of the ruling established that unless the LLC was being used in a fraudulent manner to avoid paying taxes, then the IRS has no right to seize money and assets from the LLC to pay a member's debt.

How do I keep my LLC taxes separate from personal?

Limited liability companies (LLCs) can also choose to be treated as a corporation by the IRS, whether they have one or multiple owners. In that situation, they must also file their taxes using Form 1120, which means the owners must file their personal and business taxes separately.

Can you write off car payments for LLC?

Yes, an LLC can write off a car purchase as long as it is used for business purposes. The exact amount of the deduction will depend on whether you use the standard mileage rate or the actual expense method.

Can my LLC pay for my cell phone?

Your LLC can pay for your cell phone if you use it for business purposes. This expense is considered a legitimate business expense and can be deducted from the LLC's income before calculating taxes. You should keep records of your business-related calls, emails, and other activities to justify the deduction.

Can I write off my internet bill for my business?

Internet bills are one of the work from home tax deductions self-employed individuals can take. Utilities are considered a home business tax deduction. When deducting a cell phone for business, you can only write off the business use portion.