LLC vs C-Corp in New Hampshire

Side-by-side comparison of Limited Liability Company and C Corporation for New Hampshire businesses. See costs, tax treatment, and which structure fits your situation.

At a Glance

FeatureLLCC-Corp
Filing fee (New Hampshire)$100$100
Annual fee$0/yr$0/yr
Liability protectionYesYes
Self-employment taxOn all profitSalary only
Formation complexitylowhigh
Ongoing complexitylowhigh
Can raise fundingLimitedYes

Pros & Cons

LLC

Pros

  • +Personal assets protected from business debts
  • +Pass-through taxation — no double tax
  • +Flexible management structure
  • +Can elect S-Corp taxation later

Cons

  • -Self-employment tax on all profit (same as sole prop)
  • -State filing fees and annual fees
  • -Some states have franchise taxes (e.g., CA $800/yr)
  • -Operating agreement recommended

C-Corp

Pros

  • +Can raise venture capital and issue stock options
  • +Multiple share classes for investors
  • +No ownership restrictions
  • +Potential QSBS exclusion (up to $10M capital gains tax-free)

Cons

  • -Double taxation: corporate tax + dividend tax
  • -Most complex and expensive to maintain
  • -Board of directors required
  • -Annual meetings, minutes, and corporate formalities

Who Should Choose What

Choose LLC if you...

  • Most small businesses
  • Freelancers earning $40K+
  • Businesses with liability risk
  • Multi-member businesses

Choose C-Corp if you...

  • Raising VC/angel funding
  • Planning to go public
  • Issuing stock options to employees
  • High-growth startups

New Hampshire-Specific Considerations

Business Profits Tax (BPT) of 7.5% applies to business income including S-Corps and LLCs

Business Enterprise Tax (BET) of 0.5% on enterprise value tax base

No tax on wages/salary but business income is taxed

Not sure which is right?

Our free quiz calculates your actual tax burden under each entity type based on your income and New Hampshire tax rates.

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LLC vs C-Corp FAQ

What is the difference between LLC and C-Corp in New Hampshire?

Limited Liability Company: Liability protection with pass-through taxation. The most popular choice for small businesses. C Corporation: A separate legal entity with its own tax rate. The standard structure for VC-funded startups. In New Hampshire, LLC filing costs $100 and C-Corp costs $100.

Is LLC or C-Corp better for taxes in New Hampshire?

C-Corp is generally better for taxes at higher incomes because you only pay self-employment tax on your salary, not distributions. LLC pays self-employment tax (15.3%) on all profit. Use our free quiz for exact numbers.

How much does it cost to file an LLC vs an C-Corp in New Hampshire?

LLC filing fee: $100, annual fee: $0/year. C-Corp filing fee: $100, annual fee: $0/year.

Disclaimer

This comparison is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Filing fees, tax rates, and regulations may have changed since this data was compiled. Verify all information with the New Hampshire Secretary of State and consult a qualified CPA or tax attorney before making entity selection or tax election decisions.

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