Corporation Bookkeeping

  • Separate Legal Entity
  • Recording Capital Contributions and Dividends
  • Payroll for Shareholders
  • Corporate Tax Compliance

Partnership & LLC Bookkeeping

A corporation is a legal entity separate from its owners (shareholders). This means the company pays its own taxes, owns its own assets, and is responsible for its own debts. Because of this structure, corporate bookkeeping tends to be more detailed and formal.

“In a corporation, the business stands on its own—bookkeeping must be precise, professional, and by the book.”

1. Separate Legal Entity

Since a corporation is separate from its shareholders, all business income, expenses, and activities must be recorded in the corporation’s name—not the owner’s. This includes opening a separate bank account, tracking corporate assets, and filing a separate tax return.

2. Recording Capital Contributions and Dividends

Shareholder investments are recorded as paid-in capital, and when the corporation pays earnings back to shareholders, they are recorded as dividends, not as regular withdrawals. These transactions must be clearly documented to reflect proper ownership and earnings distribution.

3. Payroll for Shareholders

Unlike sole proprietors or partners, shareholders who work in the business are considered employees and must be paid a salary. This salary is subject to payroll taxes and must be recorded just like any other employee payroll in the books.

4. Corporate Tax Compliance

Corporations file their own tax returns (like Form 1120 in the U.S.) and often face double taxation—once at the corporate level and again on dividends received by shareholders. Accurate bookkeeping helps reduce taxable income through legitimate expenses and ensures compliance with corporate tax laws.

Key Takeaways

✅ A corporation is a separate entity and must maintain its own books
✅ Shareholders’ investments and dividend payments are recorded differently
✅ Working shareholders must be paid through payroll, not owner draws
✅ Corporate bookkeeping must be detailed, compliant, and audit-ready
✅ Good records help with tax planning, reporting, and financial decision-making

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