Uluru Advisors · Free Tools
W-2, 1099, or S-Corp: What Do You Actually Keep?
Compare take-home pay across the ways associate doctors get paid, with the real federal tax math behind each number.
Step 1: The Offers
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Often higher than the W-2 offer. Enter what's on the table.
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Household income not entered above, like a spouse's job. It shifts the tax brackets, so it changes this comparison.
Used for the yearly entity fee, not state income tax
As an S-Corp, part of the income is paid to yourself as W-2 wages; the rest can come out as distributions. Not too much, not too little.
⚠ The IRS requires S-Corp owners to pay themselves a reasonable salary for the work they do. Setting it too low is a common audit trigger. Calibrating this number is exactly what we help clients with.
Named for Augusta, Georgia: a rule that lets your business rent your home for up to 14 days a year, with that rent tax-free to you. Included by default; toggle it off to see the comparison without it. Ask us if it fits your situation.
Step 2: What You'd Keep
Federal taxes only. State income tax varies and is part of the full conversation.
Advanced assumptions
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Yearly costs of doing the work, like CE courses, licenses, travel, and equipment
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The portion of those expenses an employer would reimburse under the W-2 offer
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The portion of those expenses the practice covers under the 1099 contract
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Yearly cost of running payroll for your own S-Corp salary
Costs are typical figures and fully editable. An S-Corp carries more overhead: a state entity fee, payroll processing, and a separate business tax return. The comparison includes these.
The right structure depends on your full picture: contract terms, state taxes, retirement plans. Let's map it to yours.
Book a CallFor educational purposes only, not tax, legal, or investment advice. Estimates cover federal taxes and typical costs, use simplified assumptions, and don't guarantee results. Rules are current as of 2026 and may change. Speak with your Uluru advisor before making decisions.