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US Tax Services · Compliance Filing

S Corporation Tax Filing — Form 1120-S

CPA-prepared S corporation tax returns with reasonable compensation analysis, Schedule K-1 preparation, and shareholder basis tracking to reduce IRS compensation exposure and shareholder-level tax errors.

S corporations remain one of the most popular entity structures in the United States — and also one of the most frequently mishandled. TYM Business Consulting prepares Form 1120-S and all related filings for S corporations in Miami, across Florida, and nationwide. Every engagement is built around a documented, reconciled return.

CPA Licensed in Florida S Corporation Tax Specialists IRS Certified Acceptance Agent Office in Miami, FL
What This Service Includes

A Standard S Corporation Filing Engagement Includes

Form 1120-S preparation with all required schedules
Schedule K-1 preparation for each shareholder, reconciled to Schedule K
Annual shareholder basis tracking, updated and documented
Reasonable compensation analysis with benchmark support and defensible documentation
Accumulated Adjustments Account (AAA) reconciliation for proper distribution treatment
Built-in gains tax review for recent C-to-S conversions
Return support file prepared for IRS correspondence or examination
Estimated tax coordination for shareholder-level obligations in the following year
High-Exposure Filing — Common S-Corp Errors That Trigger IRS Action

Common S Corporation Tax Errors That Trigger IRS Action

Inadequate Reasonable Compensation
The IRS may reclassify distributions as wages, resulting in payroll tax assessments, penalties, and interest. This remains one of the most litigated issues in S corporations.
Shareholder Basis Not Tracked
Losses may be deducted when they should be suspended. Distributions may be treated as tax-free when they are actually taxable. These errors often surface years later during an audit or ownership transition.
AAA Not Reconciled to Prior Year
Distributions may be reported as tax-free when they are taxable, creating shareholder-level deficiencies and often requiring amended personal returns.
Built-In Gains Tax Not Assessed
If appreciated assets are sold during the recognition period after a C-to-S conversion, the corporation may face entity-level tax that undermines the expected pass-through benefit.
K-1 Allocations Don't Reconcile to Schedule K
These inconsistencies often trigger IRS notices to all shareholders and create delays, corrections, and amended returns.
Errors Cascade Across Shareholder Returns
An error on Form 1120-S rarely stays contained. One issue at the entity level can create multiple problems across multiple shareholder returns.

IRS Reasonable Compensation Challenge?

Reasonable compensation is the most litigated S-corp issue. Document your position before examination, not during.

Request a Compensation Analysis
Who This Service Is For

This Engagement Is Generally Appropriate For

Operating S Corporations

With active business income and shareholder employee compensation issues.

Holding S Corporations

Investment entities with passive activity and at-risk considerations.

Newly Converted S Corporations

With potential built-in gains exposure from C-to-S conversion.

Multi-Shareholder Entities

Requiring individual basis tracking and pro rata allocation compliance.

S Corporations with Historical Issues

Unresolved historical basis or compensation issues requiring reconstruction.

Founders Evaluating Structure

Evaluating whether S corporation treatment is appropriate relative to C corporation, LLC, or partnership taxation.

Common Triggers for Engagement

Clients Often Engage TYM When One or More of the Following Applies

First-year S corporation filing following Form 2553 election approval
IRS inquiry related to shareholder compensation
Loss years where basis limitations become relevant
Shareholder entry, exit, redemption, or stock transfer
Conversion from a C corporation to an S corporation
Discovery that prior year K-1 reporting or basis treatment was incorrect
Planned distributions or equity transactions where AAA and basis determine tax consequences
What TYM Does

A Complete, CPA-Prepared Form 1120-S Engagement

Built on documented reconciliation, verified compensation analysis, and audit-ready shareholder records.

Reasonable Compensation Analysis

TYM determines a defensible compensation figure based on the shareholder's role, industry benchmarks, corporation revenue and profitability, and the degree to which returns are attributable to labor versus capital. The analysis is documented and retained as part of the return support file.

Shareholder Basis Tracking

TYM maintains annual basis schedules as a standard deliverable. Basis increases with income allocations and capital contributions; decreases with loss allocations, distributions, and certain deductions. Where historical basis has not been tracked, TYM reconstructs basis from available records before current-year filing.

Form 1120-S Preparation & K-1 Package

Complete Form 1120-S with all required schedules: B, D, K, K-1, L, M-1/M-2, Form 4562, Form 7203. Each component is reconciled to source records and reviewed for internal consistency. K-1 package cross-referenced to Schedule K in aggregate.

AAA and Distribution Analysis

The Accumulated Adjustments Account reflects post-1982 undistributed taxable income and determines whether distributions are tax-free or taxable. TYM maintains the AAA schedule, reconciles it to the prior year, and incorporates it into the current-year distribution analysis.

Built-In Gains Tax Assessment

For corporations that converted from C to S status, Section 1374 may impose entity-level tax on gains attributable to appreciation at conversion if assets are sold during the recognition period. TYM reviews this exposure, identifies affected assets, and calculates built-in gains tax where applicable.

Return Support File Assembly

Every engagement produces a return support file: shareholder basis schedules, AAA analysis, reasonable compensation documentation, depreciation schedules, and K-1 allocation workpapers — organized for IRS correspondence, examinations, or future shareholder transactions.

Case Study

$45,000 Payroll Tax Assessment — Reasonable Compensation Failure

A Miami professional services S corporation generated approximately $400,000 in annual net income. The sole shareholder paid themselves a $30,000 salary and distributed the remaining $370,000.

During an IRS examination, the agent concluded that reasonable compensation for the shareholder's role was $120,000 based on comparable market data. The IRS reclassified $90,000 of distributions as wages.

$45,000
Payroll tax assessments
3 Years
Penalties and interest on underwithheld payroll tax

This was not a complex tax issue. It was a basic compensation structure failure with expensive consequences.

Basis Not Tracked Historically?

Suspended losses, taxable distributions, and sale gain calculations all depend on accurate basis. Reconstruct before filing current-year return.

Schedule Basis Reconstruction
What You'll Receive

Deliverables Included in Every Engagement

Completed Form 1120-S with all required schedules (B, D, K, L, M-1, M-2, Form 4562, Form 7203)
Schedule K-1 package for each shareholder, reconciled to Schedule K in aggregate
Shareholder basis schedule — updated for the current year and documented individually
Accumulated Adjustments Account (AAA) analysis, reconciled to prior-year return
Reasonable compensation documentation and analysis
Built-in gains tax assessment and calculation (for entities within the Section 1374 recognition period)
Estimated federal tax payment schedule for the following year
Return support file: full set of supporting schedules tied to year-end close package
Prior-year comparison summary: material changes in ordinary income, separately stated items, and effective tax position
Scope Boundaries

What Is and Is Not Included

Included in This Engagement

Federal S corporation income tax return (Form 1120-S) and all required schedules
Schedule K-1 preparation for all shareholders
Shareholder basis tracking and annual schedule maintenance
AAA reconciliation and distribution analysis
Reasonable compensation analysis and documentation
Built-in gains tax assessment and computation where applicable
Coordination with shareholder Form 1040 preparation (where TYM prepares both returns)
Return support file assembly

Not Included in This Engagement

State S corporation income tax returns — assessed during intake and handled as separate engagement
Payroll tax compliance (Forms 941, 940, W-2/W-3) — separate payroll compliance engagement
Partnership returns (Form 1065) — separate engagement
C corporation returns (Form 1120) — see U.S. Corporate Tax Return
IRS examination representation — TYM provides documentation support; formal representation is a separate advisory engagement
Entity structure evaluation and S election analysis — available as a separate advisory engagement
How It Works

Six-Step S Corporation Filing Process

1

Filing Scope and History Assessment

Review prior-year Form 1120-S, identify carryforward items (suspended losses, AAA balance, basis positions), confirm shareholder roster and ownership percentages. Built-in gains exposure is assessed for recently converted entities.

2

Document Collection

Client provides year-end close package (trial balance, financial statements, general ledger), officer payroll records, shareholder loan activity, fixed asset additions/disposals, and any IRS correspondence.

3

Reasonable Compensation Determination

Shareholder-employee compensation reviewed and benchmarked. When compensation falls outside the defensible range, TYM coordinates an adjustment with the shareholder prior to return preparation.

4

Return Preparation and K-1 Package

Form 1120-S and all schedules prepared. Basis schedules updated for each shareholder. K-1 package assembled and cross-referenced to Schedule K. Distributions analyzed against AAA balance and shareholder basis.

5

Internal Review and Client Presentation

Completed return reviewed internally for cross-schedule consistency, accuracy of shareholder allocations, completeness of disclosures. Summary presented covering ordinary income, separately stated items, year-over-year changes, and distribution analysis.

6

Filing and Support File Delivery

Upon client approval, the return is filed electronically with the IRS, and K-1s are distributed to shareholders. Return support file delivered and retained for reference.

Fees

S Corporation Tax Filing Fees

Typical Form 1120-S engagements start from $1,800 for single-shareholder S corporations with clean year-end financials. TYM establishes final fees after the initial filing assessment confirms the scope.

Fee Increases With:

Multiple shareholders requiring individual K-1s and basis schedules
Basis reconstruction from prior years
Built-in gains tax assessment (C-to-S conversions within 5 years)
AAA reconciliation for entities with prior C-corp earnings and profits
Coordination with multiple shareholders' personal returns
Complex compensation structures requiring industry benchmarking
Request an S-Corp Filing Assessment
Comparison

S-Corp vs. C-Corp: Tax Comparison

FactorS Corporation (Form 1120-S)C Corporation (Form 1120)
Entity-level taxNone (pass-through)21% flat rate
Shareholder taxationPro-rata income allocation via K-1Dividends (qualified: 0–20%)
Double taxationNoYes (entity + dividend level)
Reasonable compensationRequired for shareholder-employeesNot required
Ownership restrictionsU.S. citizens/residents only, max 100 shareholdersUnlimited, any entity type
Basis trackingRequired annuallyOnly upon stock sale
Built-in gains taxApplies to C-to-S conversions (5 years)Not applicable
Estimated taxesShareholder-level (Form 1040-ES)Entity-level (Form 1120-W)

For Miami businesses with foreign shareholders, S corporation status is generally unavailable — nonresident alien ownership disqualifies the election under Section 1361. See U.S. Corporate Tax Return (Form 1120) for C corporation filing.

Miami, Florida

S-Corp Tax Filing Services in Miami

TYM Business Consulting provides S corporation tax preparation services for businesses in Miami, Coral Gables, Brickell, Aventura, and throughout South Florida. TYM also serves S corporations across Florida and nationally where federal filing obligations apply.

19790 W Dixie Hwy #1007, Miami, FL 33180

S-Corp Filing Assessment

TYM reviews prior-year returns, identifies carryforward items, and confirms the scope before any preparation begins.

Request an Assessment

Ready to File Your S Corporation Return?

The process starts with a filing scope assessment — a review of prior-year returns, carryforward positions, compensation structure, and document readiness. TYM confirms the full scope before any preparation begins.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax obligations depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified CPA for guidance specific to your situation.