In California, establishing a California Professional Optometric Corporation is a favored option for licensed optometrists providing optometric services in California. We recently published an article titled When Not to Use a California Professional Optometric Corporation outlining when this legal structure may not be suitable for a California optometric practice. This article is intended to outline the strengths that most often make the California Professional Optometric Corporation the business entity of choice for California licensed optometrists rendering optometric services in California.

Liability Protection in California Professional Optometric Corporations

Licensed optometrists often choose to practice optometry in a California Professional Optometric Corporation to limit personal liability. Unlike sole proprietorships or partnerships, California Professional Optometric Corporations offer a liability protection and personal asset protection by separating the personal assets of the licensed optometrist shareholder from the business debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments against the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

Limited liability protection is vital for licensed optometrists who employ other licensed individuals as employees or independent contractors to render professional services, especially when there is a significant risk of malpractice claims. By forming a California Professional Optometric Corporation, optometrists can safeguard their personal assets and future earnings while adhering to state regulatory requirements and complying with agencies which govern rendering professional services in California, such as the California State Board of Optometry.

Tax Benefits when Rendering Professional Service in a California Professional Optometric Corporation Taxed as an S-Corp

Selecting the ideal business structure to render professional service requires a deep understanding of tax implications. A California Professional Optometric Corporation that opts for S Corporation status can provide substantial tax benefits, especially in relation to self-employment and payroll taxes.

Self-employed optometrists are responsible for covering the full Social Security and Medicare taxes, totaling 15.3% of net profit up to the statutory cap, which is $168,600 as of 2024. Beyond this cap, they must pay 2.9% on all net profit. Additionally, there is a 0.9% Medicare tax for single taxpayers earning $200,000 or more and for married taxpayers filing jointly with incomes of $250,000 or above, added to the 2.9%.

A California Professional Optometric Corporation taxed as an S-Corp offers a strategic way to minimize self-employment taxes. By providing a market-rate salary to licensed optometrist shareholders, the salary becomes subject to payroll taxes of 15.3% up to the statutory cap ($168,600 in 2024) and 2.9% for earnings above this limit. The remaining profits can then be distributed as shareholder distributions, which are not subject to payroll or self-employment taxes. This approach can result in significant tax savings for licensed optometrists who balance their salary for optometric services with the distributions on their shares of stock based upon ownership of their California Professional Optometric Corporation.

When do the California Professional Corporation Benefits Make Sense for a Licensed Optometrist?

Most licensed optometrists would benefit from practicing with a California Professional Optometric Corporation in California, with the exceptions being very low revenue optometric practices without employees that do not accept insurance and with no plans for future growth of the optometric practice.

This article examines why forming a California Professional Optometric Corporation is advantageous for a licensed optometrist, whether practicing solo or with other licensed professionals. This article addresses relevant considerations to weigh when choosing the best business entity in which to practice optometry, namely, federal income taxes, California corporate taxes, self-employment taxes, personal income tax, liability protection, asset protection, and ownership issues.

The goal of this article is to equip licensed optometrists with the information needed to make informed decisions. It is crucial to ensure that the chosen business entity aligns with the business goals of the licensed optometrist while adhering to California law, including the California Corporations Code, the Moscone-Knox Professional Corporations Act, the California Business and Professions Code, and other relevant regulations, as well as the rules of government agencies overseeing the practice of optometry, such as the California State Board of Optometry.

Executive Summary: Putting the Conclusion First for Busy Optometrists

A licensed optometrist should form a California Professional Optometric Corporation if they are either:

(i) concerned about liability protection or the separation of personal and business assets; or

(ii) anticipate an immediate or future tax benefit.

Some licensed optometrists establish California Professional Optometric Corporations solely for liability protection, while many other licensed optometrists do so exclusively for the tax benefits of practicing optometry using a California Professional Optometric Corporation. When either liability protection or tax benefits justify the creation of a California Professional Optometric Corporation, a licensed optometrist should consider using a California Professional Optometric Corporation, even if only one of liability protection or tax benefits are sought by the licensed optometrist.

For most licensed optometrists in most optometric practices, the experienced corporate attorneys at San Diego Corporate Law recommend the use of a California Professional Corporation for the limited liability protections and tax benefits a California Professional Optometric Corporation provides.

Lower Net Income Practices without Employees or Independent Contractors

If a licensed optometrist works alone, has no employees or independent contractors, is fully insured, and runs a practice with an annual net income below $50,000 to $60,000 without the intention to grow the optometric practice in the future, operating as a sole proprietorship in California may be suitable for that licensed optometrist.

Lower Net Income Practices with Employees or Independent Contractors

For licensed optometrists earning less than $50,000 to $60,000 in net income annually without plans to grow their optometric practice in the future, establishing a California Professional Optometric Corporation is still recommended if the licensed optometrist has or plans to have employees or independent contractors at any point in time, because California Professional Optometric Corporations offer protection to the licensed Optometric shareholder from liabilities related to their employees and independent contractors, including vicarious liability and malpractice liability claims.

Higher Net Income Practices Regardless of Liability Concerns

A licensed optometrist earning (or planning to earn) over $60,000 in net income annually should seriously consider practicing optometry in a California Professional Optometric Corporation regardless of liability concerns because the tax savings of a California Professional Optometric Corporation can outweigh the additional administrative costs associated with practicing optometry in a California Professional Optometric Corporation, and these tax savings can be significant.

Starting a New Practice Without Certainty of Future Performance

Licensed optometrists planning to start practicing optometry small and grow their optometric practice over time should carefully consider the administrative challenges of initially operating as a sole proprietor or general partnership with plans to later convert to a California Professional Optometric Corporation. It is best to schedule a consultation with an experienced corporate attorney for advice on the challenges for converting a thriving optometric practice from a sole proprietorship or general partnership to a California Professional Optometric Corporation versus forming the California Professional Optometric Corporation as a part of starting their optometric practice.

Special Considerations for Optometrists Accepting Insurance, Working with a Regional Center, or Other Third-Party Payor Panels

A licensed optometrist whose optometric practice accepts (or plans to accept) insurance, work with a regional center, or otherwise engage with third-party payor panels should weigh the administrative burden of undergoing a second round of paneling if they initially establish as a sole proprietorship or general partnership and later transition to a California Professional Optometric Corporation. Many licensed optometrists opt to form a California Professional Optometric Corporation as a part of starting their optometric practice to avoid the arduous task of paneling as a sole proprietorship or general partnership only to endure the process a second time one or two years later after forming a California Professional Optometric Corporation for the tax benefits or limited liability protection.

California Professionals are Prohibited from Practicing in a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC)

It is worth noting that LLCs and PLLCs are not permitted for use with optometric practices in California.

Contact San Diego Corporate Law for Expert Guidance

Choosing the right business structure for your optometric practice can be a complex task. For tailored advice that considers your specific circumstances, schedule a consultation with the experienced attorneys at San Diego Corporate Law. Our team is committed to assisting licensed optometrists in determining whether a California Professional Optometric Corporation or another business structure best suits their needs, maximizing tax benefits while minimizing liability risks.

Schedule a consultation today to ensure your optometric practice is structured for success.

Liability Protection for Licensed Optometrists

Licensed optometrists often opt to practice optometry as a California Professional Optometric Corporation to shield themselves from personal liability and to keep their personal assets separate and protected from business debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments related to their optometric practice. It is essential for licensed optometrists to understand the liability protection differences between sole proprietorships and general partnerships compared to those offered by a California Professional Optometric Corporation when deciding on the ideal business structure for their optometric practice.

General Liability

Licensed optometrists selecting a business structure for their optometric practice should understand the distinctions in general liability protection between sole proprietorships and general partnerships compared to California Professional Optometric Corporations.

In this section, “general liability” refers to liabilities arising from contracts with vendors, claims of bodily injury, property damage, and other liabilities not related to employment relationships, malpractice, or professional errors and omissions.

For instance, consider scenarios such as a long-term lease of office space or specialized equipment, a bodily injury resulting from a visitor slipping and falling in the office of a licensed optometrist, property damage to leased premises or neighboring properties due to the optometric practice, or claims of libel, slander, and other reputational harm stemming from professional advertising.

General Liability for Sole Proprietors and General Partnerships

Sole proprietors and general partners practicing optometry encounter substantial liability risks due to the absence of a distinction between personal and business assets. In a sole proprietorship, the optometrist owner is personally liable for all business debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments related to general liability claims against the optometric practice.

Similarly, in general partnerships, all general partners share joint and several liability. Each individual general partner is personally responsible for all business debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments arising from general liability against the partnership. This means that each licensed optometrist acting as a general partner for a California optometric practice operating as a general partnership is personally liable for all liabilities of the optometric practice.

If a visitor is injured on the premises or if the optometric practice causes damage to property of a third-party property, the personal assets of a California optometrist sole proprietor or each optometrist general partner in a general partnership bear unlimited liability for these claims. This unlimited personal liability imposes a significant burden on a California optometrist sole proprietor or individual optometrist general partners of a general partnership, especially if the optometric practice lacks sufficient insurance or fails to effectively manage risks. It is essential for optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners to be aware of these risks and consider protective measures, such as comprehensive insurance policies or restructuring the optometric practice to limit personal liability exposure.

General Liability for California Professional Optometric Corporations

A California Professional Optometric Corporation offers significant protection against personal liability for licensed optometrists. Unlike optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of a general partnership, who face unlimited personal liability for business debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments, licensed optometrist shareholders of a California Professional Optometric Corporation generally enjoy protection from such business liabilities. This protection means the personal assets of licensed optometrist shareholders, such as homes and personal bank accounts, are typically shielded from claims related to the debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments of the California Professional Optometric Corporation. As a distinct legal entity, the California Professional Optometric Corporation is accountable for its own debts, liabilities, obligations, and legal judgments, thereby insulating the personal financial exposure of its licensed optometrist shareholders.

It is important to recognize that the liability protection offered by a California Professional Optometric Corporation has its limitations. Licensed optometrist shareholders may still be personally liable for their own negligent or wrongful actions. Additionally, this protection does not cover liabilities backed by the personal guarantee of the licensed optometrist shareholder. To ensure limited liability protection for its licensed optometrist shareholders, the California Professional Optometric Corporation must be operated diligently and in compliance with California laws and regulations.

Despite the limitations mentioned above, the general liability protections afforded to licensed optometrist shareholders of California Professional Optometric Corporations are significant. These protections enable licensed optometrists to manage their optometric practices confidently with the maximum liability protection available under applicable law.

General Liability Conclusion

Some general liabilities for a California optometric practice, whether it is structured as a sole proprietorship, general partnership, or California Professional Optometric Corporation, are insurable risks. However, if an incident occurs that is not covered by insurance, if the insurer denies coverage, or if the liability exceeds the insurance limits, the limited liability features of a California Professional Optometric Corporation may protect a licensed optometrist shareholder whereas a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner or a general partnership would be personally liable for the same claim. The limited liability of a California Professional Optometric Corporation offers protection compared to the unlimited personal liability faced by a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner.

Employment Liability

Licensed professionals choosing a business structure for their practice should understand the differences in employment liability protection among sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and California Professional Optometric Corporations.

In this section, the term “employment liability” refers to both the responsibility owed to employees and independent contractors and the vicarious liability to third parties arising from the actions or inactions of employees and independent contractors.

Employment liability to employees encompasses issues such as wage and hour law, sexual harassment, hostile work environment claims, privacy and information privacy claims, discrimination, wrongful termination, and a host of other potential liabilities. In contrast, vicarious liability to third parties might involve a business being held accountable for an injury to a third party arising from an auto accident caused by an employee during company time or some similar claim.

Employment Liability for Sole Proprietors and General Partnerships

Much like general liability issues, optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships are significantly exposed to liability due to the absence of a clear divide between personal and business assets. In a California optometric sole proprietorship, the licensed optometrist owner bears full responsibility and unlimited liability for employment-related claims made by employees or independent contractors, as well as for third-party claims concerning employee or independent contractor actions or inactions for which the optometrist practice is vicariously liable.

In general partnerships, optometrist general partners share joint and several liability. Each optometrist general partner has unlimited personal liability for all employee-related claims against the optometric practice and for all third-party claims of vicarious liability resulting from employee or independent contractor actions or inactions.

If an employee or independent contractor files a claim for a meal break violation, wrongful termination, or other common workplace issues, the personal assets of a California optometrist sole proprietor or each optometrist general partner in a general partnership is subject to unlimited liability. Similarly, if an employee or independent contractor assaults or injures a third party, or damages third-party property, the optometrist sole proprietor or each optometrist general partner faces unlimited liability for these claims under the legal principle of vicarious liability.

Unlimited personal liability places a heavy burden on optometrist sole proprietors and individual optometrist general partners of general partnerships, particularly when the optometric practice is underinsured or poorly manages risks. It is crucial for optometrist sole proprietors and individual optometrist general partners to recognize these risks and explore protective measures. Options such as employment practices liability insurance can guard against employee claims, while comprehensive general liability insurance addresses vicarious liability from employee and independent contractor actions or inactions. Alternatively, restructuring the optometric practice can help mitigate personal liability exposure.

Employment Liability for California Professional Optometric Corporations

A California Professional Optometric Corporation provides significant protection against personal liability for licensed optometrist shareholders, shielding them from employee-related claims. Unlike optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships, who face unlimited personal liability for employee and independent contractor claims and incidents caused by employees and independent contractors, licensed optometrist shareholders in a California Professional Optometric Corporation typically enjoy protection from both types of employment liability.

The liability protection provided by a California Professional Optometric Corporation ensures that the personal assets of licensed optometrist shareholders, such as their homes and bank accounts, are generally shielded from claims arising from employment liability related to the optometric practice. As a separate legal entity, the California Professional Optometric Corporation assumes responsibility for employee and independent contractor claims and third-party claims based on employee and independent contractor actions or inactions under the legal theory of vicarious liability, thereby significantly reducing the personal financial exposure of licensed optometrist shareholders of a California Professional Optometric Corporation.

It is important to recognize that a California Professional Optometric Corporation holds liability for employee and independent contractor claims as well as third-party claims due to vicarious liability for the actions or inactions of employees and independent contractors. Although this is preferable to unlimited personal liability for licensed optometrists, such liability can still significantly impact a California optometric practice, even as it protects the assets of the licensed optometrist shareholders.

Similar to general liability, a California Professional Optometric Corporation must operate diligently and comply with California laws and regulations to ensure its licensed optometrist shareholders receive limited liability protection. This protection extends to both employee claims and third-party vicarious liability claims.

Despite the previously mentioned limitations, licensed optometrist shareholders enjoy significant employment liability protections with California Professional Optometric Corporations, and the safeguards provided allow them to conduct their practices with confidence with the maximum liability protection available under applicable law.

Employment Liability Conclusion

Employment practices liability insurance can cover many, but not all, liabilities related to employee and independent contractor liabilities. Similarly, many general liabilities are insurable risks for a California practice whose employees may expose it to third-party claims under vicarious liability. Whether operating as a sole proprietorship, general partnership, or California Professional Optometric Corporation, having comprehensive insurance is crucial. However, if an incident is not covered by insurance, if a claim is denied by an insurer, or if liability exceeds the limits of insurance coverage, the limited liability status of a California Professional Optometric Corporation can protect a licensed optometrist shareholder from personal liability. This stands in contrast to a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner of a general partnership who would face unlimited personal liability for the same claim.

Malpractice Liability

Licensed optometrists selecting a business structure for their optometric practice should understand the differences in malpractice and errors and omissions liability protection offered by sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and California Professional Optometric Corporations.

In this section, “malpractice” is defined as the professional errors and omissions that occur when an individual optometrist fails to meet the accepted standards of optometric practice, resulting in harm or damage. Malpractice liability pertains to the legal accountability optometrists may incur for not adhering to these standards, which can lead to claims and lawsuits.

For optometrists selecting a business entity in which to practice optometry in California, understanding the assignment of malpractice liability is vital. In a California optometric practice, the consequences of malpractice can be significant. This section explores the intricacies of malpractice liability, focusing on the risks associated with professional errors and omissions, and examines the liability of optometric practice owners in sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and California Professional Optometric Corporations.

Malpractice Liability for Sole Proprietors and General Partnerships

California optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships bear unlimited liability for their own malpractice, errors, and omissions. Consequently, these optometrists are personally liable for any malpractice claims filed against them by their patients.

In a general partnership, each of the optometrist general partners not only bear unlimited liability for the malpractice and errors and omissions claims against them personally, but they also have unlimited liability for the malpractice and errors and omissions of all other optometrist general partners in the general partnership, giving each optometrist general partner unlimited personal liability for the malpractice and errors and omissions of each other optometrist general partner.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned regarding vicarious liability for employees and independent contractors, optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships bear unlimited liability for malpractice claims of the professional employees and professional independent contractors who practice for the sole proprietorship or general partnership. This liability stems from the alleged malpractice or errors and omissions of their professional employees under the legal theory of vicarious liability.

The unlimited personal liability associated with malpractice claims for all other professional general partners, employees, and independent contractors makes sole proprietorships and general partnerships less appealing for optometric practices because these business entities expose the personal assets of optometrist owners to unlimited liability for the alleged malpractice of other professionals.

Malpractice Liability for California Professional Optometric Corporations

Similar to optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners in a general partnership, licensed optometrist shareholders of a California Professional Optometric Corporation face unlimited liability for their own malpractice and professional errors and omissions. This means that licensed optometrist shareholders remain personally liable for their own acts of malpractice and errors and omissions due to their own negligence.

However, licensed optometrist shareholders of a California Professional Optometric Corporation do enjoy protection from liability related to malpractice and errors and omissions allegedly made by employees, independent contractors, and other professional shareholders. A California Professional Optometric Corporations function as a legal entity separate and apart from its shareholders, safeguarding individual shareholders and their personal assets from malpractice liability, except for their own acts of malpractice and their own errors and omissions. In essence, while licensed optometrist shareholders of a California Professional Corporation are accountable for their own professional negligence, they are not held personally liable for the malpractice or errors and omissions of employees, independent contractors, or fellow optometrist shareholders within the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

This protection exists because the California Professional Optometric Corporation, not the individual licensed optometrist shareholder, is considered the employer of any employee, independent contractor, or other professional shareholder accused of malpractice. As a result, vicarious liability for malpractice falls on the California Professional Optometric Corporation rather than the individual optometrist shareholder. Consequently, while the professional alleged to have committed malpractice or an error or omission and a California Professional Optometric Corporation may face lawsuits for malpractice claims due to the actions of employees, independent contractors, or other professional shareholders, the personal assets of licensed optometrist shareholders not alleged to have personally committed an act of malpractice or an error or omission are typically protected.

As with general liability and employment liability, the limited liability framework for malpractice and errors and omissions relies upon the diligent operation of the California Professional Optometric Corporation in compliance with California laws and regulations.

Malpractice Liability Conclusion

Licensed optometrists, regardless of their chosen business structure, are personally liable for their own acts of malpractice and their own errors and omissions. However, operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership in California exposes licensed optometrists to unlimited liability for malpractice and errors and omissions committed by employees, independent contractors, and professional co-owners. In contrast, forming a California Professional Optometric Corporation provides protection from personal liability for professional negligence committed by employees, independent contractors, or fellow professional shareholders. While malpractice insurance can cover errors and omissions, its limitations and the possibility of claim denial make malpractice liability a significant concern for licensed optometrists and California Professional Optometric Corporations provide the maximum legal protection available under applicable law.

Conclusions About Liability Protections

Choosing the right business entity for a California optometric practice requires careful consideration and consultation with legal experts, such as the experienced corporate attorneys at San Diego Corporate Law. It is crucial to have adequate insurance coverage, including general liability insurance, employment practices liability insurance, and malpractice liability insurance, to protect against claims regardless of the chosen professional business entity. However, insurance is limited in coverage and coverage amounts, and insurers deny claims when possible, so understanding professional liability and selecting an appropriate business structure, such as a California Professional Optometric Corporation, can offer further peace of mind for optometrists and safeguard both their personal and professional assets in ways even the best insurance policies cannot.

Tax Benefits for Licensed Optometrists

The organizational structure of a California Professional Optometric Corporation offers significant liability protection for licensed optometrists. However, it is essential to also consider its tax implications. Establishing a California Professional Optometric Corporation may also lead to favorable tax results. By understanding the tax benefits of California Professional Optometric Corporations compared to the taxation of sole proprietorships and general partnerships, licensed optometrists can make more informed decisions when selecting a business entity for their practice of optometry.

The tax benefits of a professional business entity are influenced by several factors: the net income of the practice before distributing funds to owners, additional income earned by the owners, and their overall tax strategy.

Certain tax situations can diminish the usual benefits of forming a California Professional Optometric Corporation from a tax perspective. This is especially true when the net income of the optometric practice before compensation to the optometrist owner is relatively low or when other income of the optometrist owner already meets the FICA cap. In such cases, the tax advantages of a California Professional Optometric Corporation may be diminished.

California Professional Optometric Corporations are by default C Corporations (C-Corps) and typically face double taxation at personal service corporation rates (sometimes referred to as professional service corporation rates). However, California Professional Optometric Corporations have the option to elect S Corporation status, which is advantageous for most optometric practices. This article will concentrate on the benefits of S Corporation taxation, omitting detailed discussions on professional C Corporation (C Corp) taxation and the issue of double taxation generally.

This section examines tax concerns for licensed optometrists, helping them assess whether establishing a California Professional Optometric Corporation aligns with their financial objectives and tax efficiency strategies.

FICA Tax Liability

The FICA tax is a mandatory payroll tax in the United States that funds Social Security. Both employees and employers share the responsibility of paying FICA taxes.

The FICA tax is directly deducted from the wages or salaries of employees at a rate of 6.2% of their gross income. Employers must match this contribution with an additional 6.2%, resulting in a total contribution of 12.4% per employee.

For self-employed individuals, such as optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners in general partnerships, the FICA tax is calculated differently. Instead of being based on wages or salaries, it is assessed at 12.4% of the net income attributed to the self-employed person (whether a sole proprietor or general partner) from their optometric practice.

The FICA tax is applied solely to income or net income up to a specified limit, which is annually adjusted for inflation. As of 2024, this cap is set at the first $168,600 earned.

FICA Tax Liability for Sole Proprietors and General Partners

Licensed optometrist sole proprietors and licensed optometrist general partners in general partnerships shoulder the entire FICA tax burden on the net income of a California optometric practice, each up to their individual FICA cap. Unlike professional employees who split this tax with their employers, self-employed optometrists must cover both the employer and employee portions, resulting in a total FICA rate of 12.4% for optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners in general partnerships.

The following are some examples of FICA tax liability for a licensed optometrist with various net income:

$50,000 net income x 12.4% = $6,200 FICA tax liability

$150,000 net income x 12.4% = $18,600 FICA tax liability

$300,000 net income x 12.4% = $20,906 FICA tax liability (limited by $168,600 FICA cap for 2024)

FICA Tax Liability for California Professional Optometric Corporations Taxed as S Corporations

When a California Professional Optometric Corporation opts for S Corporation status for tax purposes, it modifies the approach to handling FICA tax liability for its licensed optometrist shareholders. Unlike optometrist sole proprietors or optometrist general partners of general partnerships, who pay FICA taxes on their entire net income, California Professional Optometric Corporations taxed as S Corporations offer a potential reduction in FICA tax liability by distributing a portion of business profits as shareholders distributions rather than wages. However, licensed optometrist shareholders actively participating in the daily operations of the California Professional Optometric Corporation must still receive reasonable compensation which is subject to FICA taxes. This reasonable salary is taxed at the 12.4% FICA rate up to the annual wage base limit, with a 6.2% contribution deducted from the wages of the licensed optometrist shareholder as an employee and a matching 6.2% paid by the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

Licensed optometrist shareholders may receive distributions from any profits beyond their reasonable salary exempt from FICA taxes. This allows licensed optometrists in California Professional Optometric Corporations electing S Corporation taxation to strategically organize their income to reduce FICA tax liabilities as long as they adhere to Internal Revenue Service guidelines for determining reasonable compensation.

Here is an example of FICA tax liability for a licensed optometrist earning a minimum fair market value salary as determined by Internal Revenue Service guidelines:

$50,000 salary x 12.4% = $6,200 FICA tax liability

This applies regardless of whether the licensed optometrist shareholder also receives $100,000, $250,000, or any other amount as a distribution through shares of stock in the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

This approach requires planning and documentation, as non-compliance with reasonable compensation standards could lead to the reclassification of distributions as wages, incurring additional FICA tax liabilities and penalties. Nonetheless, a $50,000 salary can be considered reasonable according to Internal Revenue Service standards, regardless of the total net income of the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

FICA Tax Liability Conclusion

When comparing FICA tax liability, optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships are taxed on the total net income of their optometric practice. In contrast, a California Professional Optometric Corporation that elects S Corporation taxation can divide its income into that which is paid to a licensed optometrist shareholder as salary subject to the FICA tax and shareholder distributions paid to the licensed optometrist shareholder through the shares of the stock of the California Professional Optometric Corporation, which distributions are not subject to the FICA tax.

Based upon the examples above, a California Professional Optometric Corporation taxed as an S Corporation that pays a $50,000 fair market salary to a licensed optometrist shareholder as an employee could save that licensed optometrist shareholder up to $14,706 per year based on the 2024 FICA tax cap of $168,600 compared that same net income being paid to a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner.

Medicare Tax Liability

The Medicare tax is a mandatory payroll tax in the United States, supporting the federal Medicare insurance program. Responsibility for paying these taxes is shared between employees and employers.

For employees, the Medicare tax is deducted directly from their wages or salaries at a rate of 1.45% of their gross income. Employers must also contribute an additional 1.45% on behalf of the employee, resulting in a total contribution of 2.9% per employee.

For self-employed individuals, including optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners in general partnerships, the Medicare tax is calculated not on wages or salaries, but rather as 2.9% of the net income of the optometric practice attributed to the licensed optometrist owner.

Unlike the FICA tax, which is imposed only on income up to a certain threshold, the Medicare tax has no cap on the amount owed by an employee, optometrist sole proprietor, or optometrist general partner.

Medicare Tax Liability for Sole Proprietors and General Partners

As optometrist sole proprietors or optometrist general partners of a general partnership, these licensed optometrists shoulder the entire Medicare tax burden on their net income. Unlike employees who share this responsibility with their employers, self-employed optometrists must cover both the employer and employee portions of the tax, resulting in a total Medicare tax rate of 2.9%.

The following are some examples of Medicare tax liability for a licensed optometrist with various net income:

$50,000 net income x 2.9% = $1,450 Medicare tax liability

$150,000 net income x 2.9% = $4,350 Medicare tax liability

$300,000 net income x 2.9% = $8,700 Medicare tax liability

Medicare Tax Liability for California Professional Optometric Corporations Taxed as S Corporations

When a California Professional Optometric Corporation opts for S Corporation status for tax purposes, it changes how Medicare tax obligations are managed for its licensed optometrist shareholders. Unlike optometrist sole proprietors or optometrist general partners of a general partnership who pay Medicare taxes on their entire net income, California Professional Optometric Corporations taxed as S Corporations offer a way to potentially reduce Medicare tax liability by classifying a portion of business profits as distributions on shares of stock instead of wages. Licensed optometrist shareholders actively engaged in the daily operations of the optometric practice must still receive reasonable compensation, which is subject to Medicare taxes. The Medicare tax responsibility is split, with a 1.45% contribution from the wages of the licensed optometrist shareholder as an employee and a matching 1.45% paid by the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

Licensed optometrist shareholders must receive a reasonable salary, but any additional profits can be paid as shareholder distributions to the licensed optometrist shareholder not subject to Medicare taxes. This allows licensed optometrists with California Professional Optometric Corporations taxed as S Corporations to strategically manage their income and reduce Medicare tax liabilities. It is essential, however, to adhere strictly to Internal Revenue Service guidelines when determining reasonable compensation.

Here is an example of Medicare tax liability for a licensed optometrist earning a minimum fair market value salary as determined by the Internal Revenue Service:

$50,000 salary x 2.9% = $1,450 Medicare tax liability

This applies regardless of whether the licensed optometrist shareholder receives $100,000, $250,000, or any other amount as shareholder distributions through shares of stock in the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

This approach requires planning and documentation, as non-compliance with reasonable compensation standards may lead to shareholder distributions being reclassified as wages, resulting in additional Medicare tax liabilities and penalties. Nonetheless, a $50,000 salary can be considered reasonable under Internal Revenue Service standards, regardless of the total net income of the California Professional Optometric Corporation.

Medicare Tax Liability Conclusion

When examining Medicare tax liability, optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships are taxed on the entire net income of their optometric practice. In contrast, a California Professional Optometric Corporation that chooses S Corporation taxation can bifurcate its income to pay a reasonable salary to a licensed optometrist shareholder as an employee, which is subject to the Medicare tax, while distributing the remaining income to the licensed optometrist shareholder through the shares of stock of the California Professional Optometric Corporation, which is not subject to the Medicare tax.

Based upon the examples above, a California Professional Optometric Corporation taxed as an S Corporation that pays a $50,000 fair market salary to a licensed optometrist shareholder as an employee could save that licensed optometrist shareholder $2,900 per year based on a $150,000 annual income or $7,250 per year based on a $300,000 annual income compared to the Medicare tax liability for a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner of a general partnership.

Additional Medicare Liability

The Additional Medicare Tax, introduced under the Affordable Care Act, targets high-income earners with increased taxation. Unlike the standard Medicare tax, this additional levy applies only to individuals and couples who surpass specific income thresholds. Specifically, it imposes a 0.9% tax rate on wages and self-employment income exceeding these limits, affecting only the income that surpasses the threshold.

The threshold for the Additional Medicare Tax is $200,000 for single taxpayers, $250,000 for married couples filing jointly, and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately.

Additional Medicare Tax Liability for Sole Proprietors and General Partners

As optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners in general partnerships, individuals bear the full burden of the Additional Medicare tax obligation on their entire net income in excess of the thresholds.

The following are some examples of Additional Medicare tax liability for a single licensed optometrist with various net income:

$50,000 net income x 0.9% = $0 Additional Medicare tax liability (below threshold)

$150,000 net income x 0.9% = $0 Additional Medicare tax liability (below threshold)

$300,000 net income x 0.9% = $900 Additional Medicare tax liability ($100,000 above threshold)

The following are some examples of Additional Medicare tax liability for a married licensed optometrist filing jointly with various net income:

$50,000 net income x 0.9% = $0 Additional Medicare tax liability (below threshold)

$150,000 net income x 0.9% = $0 Additional Medicare tax liability (below threshold)

$300,000 net income x 0.9% = $450 Additional Medicare tax liability ($50,000 above threshold)

The following are some examples of Additional Medicare tax liability for a married licensed optometrist filing separately with various net income:

$50,000 net income x 0.9% = $0 Additional Medicare tax liability (below threshold)

$150,000 net income x 0.9% = $225 Additional Medicare tax liability ($25,000 above threshold)

$300,000 net income x 0.9% = $1,575 Additional Medicare tax liability ($175,000 above threshold)

Additional Medicare Tax Liability for California Professional Optometric Corporations Taxed as S Corporations

While the Additional Medicare tax applies to wages, including wages earned by licensed optometrist shareholders involved in the day-to-day operations of a California Professional Optometric Corporation, the fair market value wages required by the Internal Revenue Service are unlikely to come close to the thresholds for the Additional Medicare tax, regardless of marital status or tax filing status, with proper tax planning as follows:

$50,000 salary x 0.9% = $0 Additional Medicare tax liability (below threshold)

Additional Medicare Tax Liability Conclusion

While not as large as the FICA and Medicare tax examples at the net income rates used as examples above, the Additional Medicare tax is not nominal and can become quite large for the owners of large practice groups or owners of optometric practices with high net income.

Deductibility of Health Insurance Premiums and Other Fringe Benefits

Deducting health insurance premiums and other fringe benefits for licensed optometrist shareholders is another consideration in tax planning when selecting a business entity for a California optometric practice. This section will detail the tax implications and advantages of providing health insurance and other fringe benefits to licensed optometrist shareholders and employees. By grasping these deductions, one can engage in more strategic financial planning, significantly affecting overall tax liabilities.

Deductibility of Health Insurance Premiums and Other Fringe Benefits for Sole Proprietors and General Partners

For optometrist sole proprietors and optometrist general partners of general partnerships, the ability to deduct health insurance premiums and other fringe benefits can offer a tax advantage. Sole proprietors can deduct the health insurance premiums they pay for themselves as an above-the-line deduction, thereby reducing their adjusted gross income.

This deduction is available even if the sole proprietorship does not show a profit, though it cannot surpass the net profit of the optometric practice. It is important to remember that these deductions do not reduce Medicare or Social Security taxes. For optometrist general partners in general partnerships, similar provisions apply if the premiums are paid by the general partnership and classified as guaranteed payments.

These deductions not only reduce taxable income but also serve as incentives within the tax code, encouraging smaller business structures to offer health-related benefits.

Deductibility of Health Insurance Premiums and Other Fringe Benefits for California Professional Optometric Corporations Taxed as S Corporations

For California Professional Optometric Corporations taxed as S Corporations, understanding the deductibility of health insurance premiums and other fringe benefits for licensed optometrist shareholders is important to creating an effective tax strategy.

Shareholders who own more than 2% of the California Professional Optometric Corporation can deduct health insurance premiums and other fringe benefits for their benefit paid on their behalf by the California Professional Optometric Corporation, however, these premiums are treated as compensation to the licensed optometrist shareholders and are reported as such on their W-2 forms, underlining their inclusion in taxable income.

Proper handling of these deductions ensures that the California Professional Optometric Corporation remains compliant with tax regulations.

Deductibility of Health Insurance Premiums and Other Fringe Benefits Conclusion

Grasping these deductions is crucial for selecting the right business structure and optimizing tax responsibilities. For sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and California Professional Optometric Corporations taxed as S Corporations, health insurance premiums can qualify as business expenses. However, licensed optometrist shareholders of California Professional Optometric Corporations must include these premiums and other fringe benefits in their income tax calculations, although they are exempt from FICA and Medicare tax liabilities.

Additional Costs to Operating as a California Professional Optometric Corporation

California Franchise Tax Board Minimum Annual Franchise Tax

California Professional Optometric Corporations, when taxed as S Corporations, must pay the minimum annual franchise tax mandated by the California Franchise Tax Board. The minimum franchise tax is the greater amount between an annual $800 or 1.5% of net income.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are exempt from franchise taxation in California, allowing them to bypass the annual minimum tax. This exemption provides a slight financial benefit; however, the tax efficiency of California Professional Optometric Corporations far exceeds the California minimum franchise tax requirement.

Other Administrative Costs to Operate a California Professional Optometric Corporation

Operating a California Professional Optometric Corporation involves additional administrative costs beyond the minimum annual franchise tax compared to sole proprietorships and general partnerships.

For example, a California Professional Optometric Corporation will have expenses related to maintaining state and federal compliance for keeping its FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information Report up to date, filing an annual statement of information, and the drafting of meeting minutes for its annual meetings of shareholders and its board of directors that sole proprietorships and unregistered general partnerships do not require.

For both general partnerships and California Professional Optometric Corporations, additional administrative costs for bookkeeping, legal consultation to ensure adherence to corporate governance requirements, and tax preparation are likely higher than equivalent costs for a sole proprietorship.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships without employees will generally not incur payroll costs, but California Professional Optometric Corporations will require payroll services even if the licensed optometrist shareholder is the only employee of the California Professional Optometric Corporation, which is an added expense. However, sole proprietorships and general partnerships with employees will incur equivalent payroll costs that are comparable to those of California Professional Optometric Corporations.

The additional financial obligations of a California Professional Optometric Corporation can add up to a few thousand dollars per year depending upon the costs of tax preparation and payroll services, but these costs are often outweighed by the tax benefits provided by a California Professional Optometric Corporation taxed as an S Corporation.

Conclusions About Tax Benefits

The additional costs associated with operation as a California Professional Optometric Corporation vary but are generally a few thousand dollars per year compared to a sole proprietorship or general partnership that does not pay an annual franchise tax to the California Franchise Tax Board and does not have employees requiring payroll. In addition, sole proprietorships may enjoy lower tax preparation costs than general partnerships or California Professional Optometric Corporations.

However, depending upon the net income of the professional practice, these additional expenses may be paid for by the FICA, Medicare, and Additional Medicare tax savings possible with a California Professional Optometric Corporation.

For $50,000 of allocated net income, a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner would expect to pay $7,650 in self-employment taxes ($6,200 FICA + $1,450 Medicare), equivalent to that which would be paid by a licensed professional shareholder of a California Professional Optometric Corporation.

For $150,000 of allocated net income, a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner would expect to pay $22,950 in self-employment taxes ($18,600 FICA + $4,350 Medicare), compared to $7,650 in payroll taxes (employee and employer contributions combined of ($6,200 FICA + $1,450 Medicare) for a $50,000 salary from a California Professional Optometric Corporation, a tax savings of $15,300.

For $300,000 of allocated net income, a California optometrist sole proprietor or optometrist general partner would expect to pay $30,506 in self-employment taxes ($20,906 FICA + $8,700 Medicare + $900 Additional Medicare), compared to $7,650 in payroll taxes (employee and employer contributions combined of ($6,200 FICA + $1,450 Medicare) for a $50,000 salary from a California Professional Optometric Corporation, a tax savings of $122,856.

Thus, for lower net income, say $50,000 or below, a California Professional Optometric Corporation will likely cost more in additional administrative expenses than the tax savings realized.

At around $60,000 of net income per year, the tax savings versus additional expense of operating a California optometric practice as a California Professional Optometric Corporation starts to break even depending on the costs of the additional expenses incurred.

Above the $60,000 of net income per year, the tax savings begins to exceed the additional expense of operating a California optometric practice as a California Professional Optometric Corporation, resulting in the licensed optometrist shareholder keeping more of the net income earned after taxes.

The experienced corporate attorneys at San Diego Corporate Law are available to assist with the analysis of net income versus administrative expense budgeting when deciding whether or not a licensed optometrist should form a California Professional Optometric Corporation or choose another business structure for a California optometric practice.

Establishing a Business Structure for Anticipated Growth

Establishing a business structure conducive to anticipated growth involves selecting a formation that not only accommodates current operations but also facilitates future expansion.

For licensed optometrists foreseeing growth of their professional practice, choosing to start as a California Professional Optometric Corporation is advantageous because it allows these optometrists to establish their practice once, avoiding the establishment of a practice as a sole proprietorship or general partnership for a year or two before facing the need to establish the optometric practice a second time to after net income grows and the self-employment tax burden becomes expensive.

Additionally, even when net income remains lower, the California Professional Optometric Corporation is still valuable to a licensed optometrist because it provides legal protection by separating personal assets from business liabilities, a critical consideration for risk management.

Finally, for optometrists who accept insurance, work with a regional center, or otherwise engage with third-party payor panels, the insurance paneling process will need to be repeated for a licensed optometrist first establishing a sole proprietorship or general partnership and later incorporating to take advantage of the liability protections and tax benefits of a California Optometric Professional Corporation formed by registering California Secretary of State.

If within the means of such a licensed optometrist, the recommendation is to start an optometry practice with a California Professional Optometry Corporation formed as a part of starting the optometric practice.

A Quick Note on LLCs and PLLCs

A licensed optometrist may not use a foreign or California limited liability company (LLC), nor may a foreign professional limited liability company (PLLC) be used to practice optometry in California. Pursuant to California Corporations Code Section 17701.04(e):

“Nothing in this title shall be construed to permit a domestic or foreign limited liability company to render professional services, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 13401 and in Section 13401.3, in this state.”

This comes as a surprise to many licensed optometrists, as professional limited liability companies (PLLCs) are commonly used to render professional services in other states.