What we do
We handle the election. You sign once.
Online 2553 does one thing: prepare and file IRS Form 2553, the S corporation election. Here is exactly what that looks like from your side.
Start my Form 2553The process
Five steps, start to acceptance
Most of the work happens on our side. Your part is answering questions and signing.
- 01
Tell us about your entity
You answer a short set of questions — entity type, state, formation date, owners, and the tax year you want the S election to start. No accounting vocabulary required.
- 02
We review eligibility and your deadline
Before anything is prepared, we check that your entity qualifies (shareholder count and type, one class of stock, no nonresident alien owners) and work out whether your election is timely or needs late relief.
- 03
We prepare the form and consents
You get a complete, signature-ready Form 2553 with every box filled correctly, shareholder consent statements for each owner, and a reasonable-cause statement if your election is late.
- 04
You sign, we route it to the IRS
We identify the correct IRS service center for your state and give you exact filing instructions — or mail it by certified mail with return receipt if you add that option, so you hold dated proof of delivery.
- 05
You watch for the CP261
The IRS confirms acceptance with a CP261 notice, generally within about 60 days. We tell you what it looks like, why to keep it permanently, and what to do if it doesn't arrive.
Why it matters
What you get out of it
The election is a one-page form with a lot of ways to go wrong. These are the parts we take off your plate.
The deadline is checked first, not last
Form 2553 is due two months and 15 days into the tax year the election takes effect. Getting that date wrong pushes your S corporation status back a full year. We confirm it before you pay attention to anything else.
Late filings are handled, not rejected
Missing the deadline is common and usually fixable. We prepare relief requests under Rev. Proc. 2013-30 with a reasonable-cause statement written to your actual facts rather than boilerplate.
Every shareholder consent is accounted for
A missing signature is one of the most common reasons an election gets bounced back. We track each owner who must consent, including owners from earlier in the year on a retroactive election.
Routed to the right service center
Form 2553 cannot be e-filed. Where it goes depends on your state, and IRS addresses and fax numbers change. We verify the current routing instead of relying on an old form's instructions.
Tax-year selection done properly
If you want anything other than a calendar year, Part II has to be completed and justified. We tell you plainly whether that applies to you and handle it if it does.
One flat fee
Preparation and filing is a flat $299. Add-ons are optional and listed openly, so you know the full cost before you commit.
Proof you can hand to a lender
You keep a copy of the filed election, your consents, and — with certified mailing — dated delivery proof. Banks, accountants, and buyers ask for these years later.
Plain-English explanations throughout
We tell you what each choice means for your business instead of quoting the Internal Revenue Code at you.
See the full cost breakdown on the pricing page.
Online 2553 provides general information about IRS Form 2553 and the S corporation election. It is not a law firm or an accounting firm, is not authorized by the IRS, and does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Your facts matter — confirm your situation with a qualified tax professional before filing.
Next step
Ready to file Form 2553?
Send us your details and we'll review your election before it goes to the IRS — deadline, eligibility, and every box on the form.
Online 2553 provides general information about IRS Form 2553 and the S corporation election. It is not a law firm or an accounting firm, is not authorized by the IRS, and does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Your facts matter — confirm your situation with a qualified tax professional before filing.