Choosing between a C corporation and an S corporation is one of the most consequential decisions business owners face, with long-term tax and planning implications that extend well beyond entity formation. Advisors who understand how these structures differ can play a critical role in guiding clients toward informed, strategic outcomes.
This course provides a clear, practical overview of the tax considerations associated with C and S corporations. Participants will explore how income, distributions/dividends, and retained earnings are taxed under each structure, and how those differences influence planning conversations around growth, reinvestment, and shareholder objectives. The session emphasizes how to frame entity comparisons in a way that aligns tax outcomes with client goals.
Designed for CPAs and EAs advising closely held businesses, this course equips participants with a structured approach to evaluating entity choices and communicating trade-offs effectively. Attendees will leave better prepared to support clients as they navigate entity elections and long-term planning decisions.
Major Topics:
- Profit allocation and tax
- Retained earnings implications
- Distribution tax treatment
- Built-in gains risks
- Entity election strategies
By the end of this course, you have the tools to compare C and S corporation tax outcomes with confidence. Equip yourself to guide clients through entity decisions that align with both business goals and shareholder objectives.
SKU *: crs-4876
Sell price $: 48.00
Course Preview: <iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/1158284518?autoplay=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="357" mozallowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="635"></iframe>
Course Short Description:
This course provides a clear, practical overview of the tax considerations associated with C and S corporations.
Compliance Deep Tag: - None -
Credit Hours: 2.0
CPE Credits Awarded *: 2.0
Approval Status: - None -
Course is for: ** Main Course Library **
Course Duration: 2.0
Complexity of Content: Basic
Suppress in lists: No
Last Updated/Reviewed Date: February 10, 2026
Course Topic: Tax
Prerequisitses:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Learning Objective:
- Discover and discuss when an S or C election provides tax advantages.
- Identify and analyze retained earnings and distribution consequences in both corporation types.
- Identify risks associated with the built-in gains tax after election.
- Explore and explain entity election choices and anticipate implications of future changes.
- Explore frameworks for guiding client decisions on corporate tax structures.
Course Type: CPE Course
crs_type:
CPE Course
Format: on_demand
format_crs:
on-demand
Audit & Accounting: No
Careers: No
Ethics (NASBA): No
Excel: No
Finance: No
Human Resources (HR): No
Internal Audit: No
Leadership & Management: No
Marketing: No
Operations: No
Productivity & Tech: No
Risk Management: No
Sales: No
Tax: Yes
Free Trail: No
Other: No
Field of Study: Taxes
crs cat:
Tax
CPA: Yes
CPD-IES8: No
CMA: Yes
CFE: Yes
Yellow Book: No
CGFM: Yes
CIA: No
CRMA: No
CPP: No
FPC: No
CTP: No
FP&A: No
CISM: No
CRISC: No
CISA: No
CIST: No
CRFS: No
SHRM-CP: No
SHRM-SCP: No
PHR: No
SPHR: No
GPHR: No
aPHR: No
PHRca: No
PHRi: No
SPHRi: No
crma_irs: No
cert type:
CPA, CMA, CFE, CGFM
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CPA: 2.0
Field of Study CPA: Taxes
CPE Delivery Method CPA: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CPA:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Illumeo is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
NASBA Sponsor Number: 109504
State of New York Sponsor Number: 002746
State of Texas Sponsor Number: 009890
In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits have been granted based on a 50-minute hour.
NASBA Sponsor Number: 109504
State of New York Sponsor Number: 002746
State of Texas Sponsor Number: 009890
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CPD-IES8:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Development accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPD-IES8 credit.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CMA: 2.0
Field of Study CMA: Taxes
CPE Delivery Method CMA: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CMA:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CFE: 2.0
Field of Study CFE: Specific business topics such as finance and others
CPE Delivery Method CFE: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CFE:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CGFM: 2.0
Field of Study CGFM: Financial Management
CPE Delivery Method CGFM: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CGFM:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location YB:
Online
Description:
The GAO's Yellow Book, Government Auditing Standards, establishes CPE requirements. Auditors performing work under GAGAS, including planning, directing, performing field work, or reporting on an audit or attestation engagement under GAGAS, need to maintain their professional competence through continuing professional education (CPE). Therefore, each auditor performing work under GAGAS should complete, every two years, at least 80 hours of CPE that directly enhance the auditor's professional proficiency to perform audits and/or attestation engagements. At least 24 of the 80 hours of CPE should be in subjects directly related to government auditing, the government environment, or the specific or unique environment in which the audited entity operates. At least 20 hours of the 80 should be completed in any one year of the two-year period. For details on the Yellow Book CPE requirements go to http://www.gao.gov/ and https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693136.pdf.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CIA:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) CPE program.
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) CPE program.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CRMA:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details CPP:
 | This activity, ID No. 19 ILL 000 has been approved for 1.0 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). Please make note of the Course Code on your CPP Recertification Log. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA website at www.americanpayroll.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details FPC:
| This activity, ID No. 19 ILL 000 has been approved for 1.0 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). Please make note of the Course Code on your CPP Recertification Log. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA website at www.americanpayroll.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward RCH recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward RCH recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CTP:
On Demand/Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Approved for up to 2.4 CTP/CCM recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Approved for up to 2.4 CTP/CCM recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location FP&A:
On Demand/Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Approved for up to 2.4 FP&A recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Approved for up to 2.4 FP&A recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location IRS-EA:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details IRS-EA:
 | This activity, ID No. XXXXXX has been approved for #### CPE credit hours toward IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) continuing education requirements. In accordance with the standards set forth in Circular 230 section 10.6, CE credits have been granted based on a 50-minute hour. |
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CISM:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Education accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CRISC:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Education accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CISA:
Online
Description:
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CIST:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Development accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPD credit.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CRFS:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Development accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPD credit.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SHRM-CP:
 | This activity, ID No. XXXXXX has been approved for #### recertification credit hours toward SHRM-CP™ and SHRM-SCP™ recertification through the Society of Human Resource Management® (SHRM®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the Society for Human Resource Management website at www.shrm.org. |
Description:
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-CP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-CP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SHRM-SCP:
| This activity, ID No. XXXXXX has been approved for #### recertification credit hours toward SHRM-CP™ and SHRM-SCP™ recertification through the Society of Human Resource Management® (SHRM®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the Society for Human Resource Management website at www.shrm.org. |
Description:
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-SCP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-SCP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-SCP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-SCP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details PHR:
 | This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SPHR:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details GPHR:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details aPHR:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details PHRca:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details PHRi:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SPHRi:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: Yes
Hours: 2.0
Free Marketing Course: No
Sponser: Illumeo
Participation: Solo
Instructor: Recorded
Presence: Remote