When you pull income out of your S-Corporation, your basis in the S-Corporation decreases. Often different shareholders in an S-Corporation start with equal basis amounts, but each shareholder’s basis can diverge through the life of the business.

What is a shareholder basis?

In computing stock basis, the shareholder starts with their initial capital contribution to the S corporation or the initial cost of the stock they purchased (the same as a C corporation). That amount is then increased and/or decreased based on the pass-through amounts from the S corporation.

How are shareholders able to acquire basis of S corporation?

A shareholder is able to acquire basis of an S corporation by purchasing stock. Cumulative net income and additional equity contributions also have an impact on the ability of a shareholder to acquire stock.

Is the stock and debt basis of a corporation taxable?

The taxable amount of a distribution is contingent on the shareholder’s stock basis. It is not the corporation’s responsibility to track a shareholder’s stock and debt basis but rather it is the shareholder’s responsibility.

Is the amount of a shareholder’s stock and debt basis important?

The amount of a shareholder’s stock and debt basis is very important. Shareholder Loss Limitations An S corporation is a corporation with a valid “S” election in effect. The impact of the election is that the S corporation’s items of income, loss, deductions and credits flow to the shareholder and are taxed on the shareholder’s personal return.

How do I calculate the basis for my shares of an s?

For loss and deduction items, which exceed a shareholder’s stock basis, the shareholder is allowed to deduct the excess up to the shareholder’s basis in loans personally made to the S corporation. Debt basis is computed similarly to stock basis but there are some differences.