CHAPTER 7 I PREPAHING THE PROPER EFHICAL AND
period of time. The most compelling advantage of stock options is the potential
rewards to participants when (and if) the stock price increases.” Many
employees receive stock options at the time they are hired and then periodically
receive additional options. As employees accumulate stock options, the link
between their potential reward and their company`s stock price becomes
increasingly clear. This link provides a powerful inducement for employees
to exert extra effort on behalf of their firm in hopes of positively affecting the
stock price.33
To summarize, the advantages and disadvantages of a C corporation are as
follows:
Advantages of a C Corporation
I Owners are liable only for the debts and obligations of the corporation up
to the amount of their investment.
I The mechanics of raising capital is easier.
I No restrictions exist on the number of shareholders, Which differs from
subchapter S corporations.
, I Stock is liquid if traded on a major stock exchange.
'I The ability to share stock with employees through stock option or other
incentive plans can be a powerful form of employee motivation.
Disadvantages of a C Corporation
I Setting up and maintaining one is more difficult than for a sole proprietor-
ship or a partnership.
I Business losses cannot be deducted against the shareholders’ other
sources of income.
I Income is subject to double taxation, meaning that it is taxed at the
corporate and the shareholder levels.
I Small shareholders typically have little voice in the management of
me firm.
Subchapter S Corporation A subchapter S corporation combines the
advantages of a partnership and a C corporation. It is similar to a partnership
in that the profits and losses of the business are not subject to double taxation.
The subchapter S corporation does not pay taxes; instead, the profits or losses
of the business are passed through to the individual tax returns of the owners.
The S corporation must file an information tax return. An S corporation is
similar to a C corporation in that the oumers are not subject to personal liabil-
ity for the behavior of the business. An additional advantage of the subchapter
S corporation pertains to self-employment tax. By electing the subchapter
S corporate status, only the earnings actually paid out as salary are subject to
payroll taxes. The ordinary income that is disbursed by the business to the
shareholders is not subject to payroll taxes or self-employment tax.
Because of these advantages. many entrepreneurial firms start as sub-
chapter S corporations. There are strict standards that a business must meet
to qualify for status as a subchapter S corporation: _
I The business cannot be a subsidiary of another corporation.
I The shareholders must be U.S. citizens. Partnerships and C corporations
may not own shares in a subchapter S corporation. Certain types of trusts
and estates are eligible to own shares in a subchapter S corporation.
I It can have only one class of stock issued and outstanding [either
preferred stock or common stock).
LEGAL FOUNDATION 261