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This year, Federal Student Aid (FSA) estimates that filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) takes less than one hour. Read on for the information you’ll need, the steps to take before going to the FAFSA site, and what to expect when filling out the application online.

Completing the FAFSA Application for Academic Year 2025-2026

If this is your first time submitting the FAFSA, you’ll be glad to know that it usually takes less time after the first time (yes, FAFSA is submitted annually.)

Not quite ready to submit your FAFSA, but want an estimate of your student aid package? You can fill out an abridged Federal Student Aid Estimator .

Recommended: 6 Reasons to Go to College

Docs You’ll Need to Fill Out FAFSA

Before you start the online FAFSA form, it’s useful to have the info you’ll need handy. That includes:

•   Your Social Security or alien registration ID

•   Federal income tax returns for 2023, W-2s and other financial documents for yourself (and your parents if you’re a dependent)

•   Most recent bank statements

•   Any untaxed income amounts

12 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA opened November 21, 2024, and it closes June 30, 2026. (For the 2024-2025 academic year, the FAFSA opened in December 2023, and closes June 30, 2025.) That said, schools and state and scholarship programs have varying deadlines, so it’s a good idea to check and double-check the FAFSA deadlines for everything you are applying to.

Here are the steps to completing the online FAFSA form.

1. Creating Your FSA ID

The first step is creating a Federal Student Aid ID . This is simply the username and password you’ll use to log into FAFSA. Note that if your parents’ financial info is required to complete the application, a parent will also need to create a FSA ID.

2. Logging in

Now that you have a FSA ID, you’re ready to log into the online FAFSA form. Use this FAFSA tool to determine which parent should participate in your FAFSA form.

Once you’re in, you will be asked to accept or decline the disclaimer, which details how the site will use and monitor your data. You should then be prompted to start a FAFSA application for 2025-2026.

You’ll also be asked to create a save key, which is a temporary code in case you leave the site before you submit your application. In other words, if you don’t finish FAFSA in one sitting, you can enter your save key and pick up where you left off.

3. Filling in Your Personal Information

You (the student) will be asked to fill in the following info (you’ll be prompted to hit “Continue” several times):

•   Your Social Security number

•   Full name

•   Date of birth

•   Email address

•   Phone number

•   Mailing address

You’ll then need to answer questions about:

•   Your marital status

•   Whether you are a citizen

4. Filling in Your Student Information

Next, you’ll need to answer questions about your education and future plans. Specifically, you’ll be asked about:

•   Your college grade level at the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year

•   The college degree or certificate you will be seeking to earn

Additionally, you’ll be asked to provide:

•   Information about your personal circumstances

•   Whether you’ve ever been in the foster care system

•   Any unusual circumstances regarding your parents, such as being unable to contact them

5. Filling in the College Search Section

To send your FAFSA information to schools you’re applying to, you’ll need to add the federal school code for each school. Doing so allows colleges to receive your FAFSA information and so use it to provide you a financial aid package. The online form will help you find the codes; you just input the school name, city, and state. You can add up to 10 colleges at a time.

Next, for each school, you’ll need to select your housing plan (on campus, with parent, or off campus).

Recommended: SoFi’s College Search Tool

6. Filling in Info That Helps Determine Your Dependency Status

Your answers in this section will determine whether you are an independent or dependent student— and so determine the financial information you and your parents will need to provide. Specifically, you’ll be asked about:

•   Whether you have children that you support

•   Whether you have other dependents who live with you and you support

•   Whether you are on active duty or a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, are an emancipated minor, whether someone other than a parent or stepparent has legal guardianship, and whether you have ever been in foster care or a ward of the court or both parents have died since you were 13.

•   Whether you were homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless on or after July 1, 2024

7. Learning Your Dependency Status

The smart technology of the online FAFSA form determines whether you’re a dependent or not. If you are single, have no children or other dependents, and answered “none of the above” and “no” on the previous two screens, you are likely a dependent. As a result, your parents’ financial information will be needed in addition to yours to complete the form and calculate your expected family contribution (which will soon be replaced with the student aid index).

Please note that the rest of these steps assume you’re filing as a dependent. While the process of filing as an independent will be similar, you won’t be asked to provide information about your parents.

8. Filling in Your Parents’ Personal Information

You (the student) can answer the following questions about your parents:

•   Their marital status and whether they are separated, divorced, widowed, or remarried

•   Each parent’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, and email

•   State of parents’ residence and date they became a resident

•   Number of other dependent children and other dependents your parents have

9. Providing Your Parents’ Financials

You will need info about your parents’ tax return for 2023 to answer the following questions about:

•   Their tax return status

•   The type of tax return they filed (i.e., 1040 or something else)

•   Their tax filing status (e.g, married-filed joint return)

At this point, you can either use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) that pulls their tax return information into the FAFSA form or enter their info manually. In addition to being more convenient, using DRT means you may not have to later provide IRS documentation. (As mentioned earlier, one of your parents will need to create and provide an FSA ID and password to use DRT.)

If you are manually entering your parents financial info, you will need to answer questions about:

•   Their adjusted gross income

•   Amount each parent earned

•   Amount they paid in federal taxes

•   Amounts of other income (such as college grants and tax-exempt interest income)

•   Amounts of child support paid, earnings from work under a Cooperative Education Program, and taxable earnings from need-based employment programs

•   Amounts of untaxed income (such as child support or payments to tax-deferred retirement savings plans)

•   Their assets (including the value of cash and bank accounts, investments, and owned businesses and investment farms)

10. Providing Your Financials

You’ll also need to provide your financial information. Basically, you will be asked for the same info about yourself that you provided in the previous step about your parents’ income and assets.

11. Checking for Errors

Once you’ve reached the end of the application, you’ll see a summary to review. Checking that all the information is accurate may help avoid having to file a FAFSA correction later.

You’ll also need to answer a few more questions that the federal government collects about gender, ethnicity, and race. This info has no impact on whether you will receive financial aid.

Recommended: How Much FAFSA Money Can I Expect?

12. Signing and Submitting

FAFSA requires you to accept or reject its agreement of terms. If your parent or parents provided information because you filed as a dependent, one of them will also need to accept these terms in order for you to submit the application. Both you and your parent will e-sign using your FSA ID. Once you’ve signed and submitted your application, your FAFSA is complete.

Downloadable FAFSA Form for 2025-2026

Here’s the FAFSA form for 2025-26 if you want to see it before logging in to fill it out — or if you want to print it, fill it out, and mail it in.

What’s Different About the 2025-26 FAFSA

The Department of Education says it has modernized the FAFSA process and improved the user experience and functionality in filling out the online form. They have also added more staff to address applicants’ questions, and expanded the hours to provide help. You can reach staff through the Federal Student Information Center and find answers to frequently asked questions about filling out the FAFSA form at the FAFSA Help Center.

Additionally, the 2023-24 form does not ask about Selective Service registration status or drug convictions.

A Few Extra Tips

Completing FAFSA can be an overwhelming process. It can also be tempting to skip it altogether, especially if you’re from a middle- or high-income family and you believe you aren’t eligible for aid. However, that’s an assumption that could mean leaving aid on the table. Here are three more helpful tips:

1.    Schools, states, and scholarships have varying deadlines. As stated earlier, FAFSA opened November 21, 2024, and closes June 30, 2026, for the 2025-2026 academic year. However, the schools and scholarships you’re applying to may require you to fill out your FAFSA before that time, so it’s best to check each school’s and program’s FAFSA deadlines to avoid losing out on aid.

2.    The IRS Data Retrieval Tool can help you avoid making mistakes. This tool auto-fills your (and your parents’) latest tax information from the IRS database. So instead of having to figure out what the adjusted or non-taxed income was on your parents’ tax return, you can let the tool do it for you.

3.    It doesn’t pay to guess. Not sure how to fill out a section or what the answer is? FAFSA offers helpful tips and clarifications throughout each section of the FAFSA form, so be sure to use the text and articles embedded on the form—just click on the question mark icon. Inaccurate answers can result in receiving less financial aid than you’re eligible for as well as needing to file corrections and send in supporting documentation.

Recommended: Navigating Your Financial Aid Package

The Takeaway

Filling out the FAFSA is a great first step to pay for your dream school. This is one of the best ways of getting scholarships and grants you won’t have to pay back or government-backed loans to help you pay for college-related costs. By learning how to properly fill out the FAFSA (and then actually doing so!), you can increase your odds of getting a bigger financial aid package.

However, if your financial aid package doesn’t cover all your college expenses, you may want to consider a private student loan. It’s important to note that private student loans don’t offer the same protections as federal student loans, like income-driven repayment plans or deferment options. For this reason, private student loans are generally considered only after other sources of funding have been considered.

SoFi’s private student loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as parents. In just a few minutes, you can apply online for student loans and be well on your way to financing your education.

SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no fees.

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Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. We encourage you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.

Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. This information is current as of 04/24/2024 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Header photo credit: iStock/Vladimir Sukhachev

SOISL-Q424-036

In some ways, net worth and wealth can be tricky terms to define. To some people, the phrases are synonymous. As others acknowledge, the perception of wealth is influenced by a variety of factors, including where you live, your career, and your age.

Here’s a deep dive into how to calculate individual net worth and some of the factors that may influence our perception of wealth.

How to Calculate Individual Net Worth

An individual’s net worth is the value of all of their combined assets minus any liabilities (that is, outstanding debts). If your assets are worth more than your liabilities, you have a positive net worth. If you owe more than you own, your net worth is negative.

Assets you may use as part of your net worth calculation can include:

•  Real estate. Your home, second home, rental property, commercial real estate, or other holdings.

•  Cars and other vehicles. Note that automobiles are typically subject to depreciation in value over time.

•  Investments. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and retirement accounts.

•  Cash

•  Life insurance. Use the cash value.

•  Household items. Furniture, silverware, etc.

•  Jewelry. Plus precious gems and metals.

Liabilities are debts such as:

•  Balance remaining on your mortgage

•  Student loans

•  Auto loans

•  Credit card debt

Recommended: Does Net Worth Include Home Equity?

What Is the Difference Between Net Worth and Income?

Net worth and income don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Income is the money that is reported on a tax return, while a high net worth results from owning valuable assets. High net worth could be a result of careful saving, inheriting money, or hanging onto highly appreciated assets.

For example, let’s say someone bought a house in a once-undesirable neighborhood decades ago. Today, that neighborhood is super popular and the house is worth much more. Even if they don’t sell, the homeowner has increased their net worth without a boost in income. (It can be useful to see how net worth changes by age and location.)

On the other hand, a professional with a high salary who carries a lot of debt could have a relatively low net worth, especially if they also maintain a costly lifestyle. That said, various types of income certainly can have a big impact on how much wealth a person is able to accumulate.

Income is also one way that researchers sort individuals into economic classes, though the income ranges that delineate class can vary from year to year and by research methodology.

What Salary Is Considered a Middle-Class Income?

Pew Research Center defines middle-income Americans as those whose annual size-adjusted income is two-thirds to double the median size-adjusted household income. (Size-adjusted household income refers to the number of people within the household.)

A middle-income family of three earned $56,600 to $169,800 in 2022, the most recent information available from Pew Research.

What Salary Is Considered an Upper-Class Income?

Upper-income individuals earn more than double the median size-adjusted household income. This means a family of three may earn more than $169,800.

Wondering how your income compares? It can be helpful to look at the median income for a three-person household in each income tier.

Why Wealth Is Relative Person to Person

The definition of “wealthy” differs depending on a person’s background, geography, and age. Consider a law student who earns very little money each year and carries hundreds of thousands in student debt. While their current wealth may be low, their potential future earnings may be quite high, and could catapult them into the wealthiest classes.

Consider, too, that where you live has a big impact on how far your wealth will stretch. A middle-income earner in an expensive city like San Francisco or New York may find it more difficult to make ends meet than someone in a small town in Oklahoma with a lower cost of living.

Ways to Measure Wealth

Wealth and net worth can be considered synonymous in some cases. But there are other factors that play into the perception of wealth and a person’s ability to accumulate it. Examples include demographic differences and potential return on investment, which may not have an immediate impact but can increase future wealth.

Income

As mentioned above, high income does not necessarily lead to high net worth — but it can. High earners may use their income to acquire assets that maintain equity, such as a home. These people may also use their earnings to invest within retirement and brokerage accounts.

Personal Savings

Your personal savings may refer to the cash you have on hand in checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. It may also refer to the savings you have invested in brokerage and retirement accounts.

Ideally, these investments will appreciate over time, increasing net worth and providing a future source of income to maintain your standard of living after you stop working. As you build up your savings, tools like a money tracker app can help you keep tabs on your money.

Investment Rate of Return

An important factor in accumulating wealth is the rate of return (ROR) on your investments. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Stock prices rise and fall according to various trends in the market. Even bonds, which are relatively safe, are subject to default from time to time.

In the past, the stock market tended to rise over the long term. In fact, since 1926, the average annual rate of return for the stock market has been about 10%, surpassing potential returns for other major types of investments, including bonds.

Investors who save more, and hold more of their investment portfolio in stocks, may be better positioned to take advantage of these potential future returns.

Real Estate Assets

One way to think about wealth is as the maintaining of assets. Real estate can be a good place to build equity, and it can appreciate in value. Returns can vary widely depending on what type of real estate you buy — whether a home or commercial property — and where the property is located. Historically, the rate of return on real estate has been close to stock market returns. In the U.S. market, the median return on real estate investment is 8.6% annually, per the S&P 500 Index.

Age and Family Status

Demographic factors can have an impact on how much money you earn and the wealth you can accumulate. For example, median weekly earnings vary by age and gender.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, men and women ages 16 to 24 have the lowest median weekly earnings, with men earning $771 per week and women earning $695 in the second quarter of 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Men age 35 and over enjoyed the highest median weekly earnings:

•  35 to 44: $1,379

•  45 to 54: $1,470

•  55 to 64: $1,361

Women earned less overall than men:

•  35 to 44: $1,114

•  45 to 54: $1,151

•  55 to 64: $1,048

The number of people in a household has a different impact. More people under one roof may require a larger home and more money spent on things like groceries, clothing, and transportation. As a result, a single individual usually requires less wealth to maintain a certain lifestyle than a family of five.

Good Credit Score

While not exactly a measure of wealth, a good credit score is a measure of financial health. It suggests that you have not taken on more debt than you can handle, and that you are able to make your payments on time.

A good credit score can also help you leverage your wealth to achieve financial goals. For example, lenders will look at your credit score when you apply for a loan to determine your creditworthiness. A good score can help you qualify for loans with lower interest rates. Individuals with bad credit, on the other hand, may be seen as a risk, and lenders may charge higher interest rates to compensate.

As a result, a good credit score can help you qualify for loans, such as a mortgage, at affordable rates that can help you build wealth.

Difference Between Material Wealth vs Spiritual Wealth

Material wealth is dependent on the physical and financial assets that you own and the debts you carry. Spiritual wealth, on the other hand, is not based on tangible items. Rather, it’s based on things like a sense of well-being and happiness.

Are material wealth and spiritual wealth linked? In a 2023 paper, authors Daniel Kahneman, Matthew A. Killingworth, and Barbara Mellers discovered an overall connection between larger incomes and increasing levels of happiness. But they also found that happiness peaks at $100,000 a year and then plateaus in people who are already unhappy.

Appreciating What You Have

One of the reasons that higher income doesn’t always translate into greater wealth is a phenomenon known as “lifestyle creep.” This occurs when increasing income leads to an increase in discretionary spending. A certain amount of lifestyle creep can result from trying to “keep up with the Joneses” — a tendency to accumulate material goods to compete with others in one’s perceived social class.

For example, as a person earns more, they might buy a bigger house, a more expensive car, pricey clothes, and start sending their kids to private school. These costly habits can mean that the individual may not be able to save more than when their salary was lower.

Try to avoid lifestyle creep by putting off grand lifestyle changes, like buying a large home, and putting off big purchases until absolutely necessary. Build and stick to a budget that includes wealth-building line items, such as saving in retirement funds. Track your progress with a budgeting app.

Practice appreciating what you already have, and you may find that some of the upgrades you desire are just wants — not necessities.

Recommended: What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a Car?

The Takeaway

Net worth and wealth are inextricably linked. Measuring net worth helps people assess how many assets they currently have at their disposal. Accumulating wealth is about acquiring and maintaining assets that hold their value or increase in value. Doing so often requires careful saving and investing, as well as constant monitoring to ensure you stay on track.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What salary is considered middle-class income?

Middle-income Americans have annual incomes that are two-thirds to double the median income, according to Pew Research. For example, a middle-income family of three will earn $56,600 to $169,800.

What salary is considered upper-middle class income?

An upper-middle class income is at the high range of middle class income. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s “Income in the United States: 2022” report, that’s an average annual income of $94,001 to $153,000.

What salary is considered lower-class income?

Low-income Americans are anyone earning less than two-thirds of the median household income. Per Pew Research Center, that means a family of three would have a household income of less than $56,600.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

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Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SORL-Q424-004

When people are starting a business, it’s likely that they’ll consider the tax benefits of different company structures. In some cases, founders may create a limited liability company (LLC) specifically for its tax benefits.

Here, we’ll delve into the tax benefits of LLCs for business owners, as well as other pros and cons.

💡 Recommended: How To Incorporate

What Is an LLC?

An LLC is a type of business structure available in the United States. A kind of hybrid, it combines some characteristics of corporations with others from a partnership or sole proprietorship.

According to the IRS, LLC owners are called “members.” Depending on the state in which you set up the LLC, members may be individual people, other LLCs, or corporations. There is no maximum number of members that a company can have, and most states allow LLCs with just one member. Check your state for specifics.

Tax Benefits of Forming an LLC

As mentioned above, company founders may choose an LLC structure especially for its tax benefits. Here, we go into detail about what those benefits are.

Limited Liability

An LLC, as its full name implies, provides limited liability to its members. This means that, if the company fails, the owners’ and investors’ private assets are not at risk and can’t be seized to repay company debts.

Flexible Membership

As noted previously, an LLC can have one member or many, and those members can be individuals or companies. This business structure gives owners significant freedom when starting their company.

Management Structure Options

LLCs can be managed by a member (owner) or by a hired manager. A member-managed LLC may be chosen if the company has limited resources or few members. An owner may select a member with management experience to oversee the business, or they may want all members to actively participate in the company’s operations.

A hired manager is someone who is not a member but has the appropriate experience and skill sets to run the LLC. An accountant or financial advisor can go into detail about the tax benefits of member-manager vs. hired manager approaches. (Here’s what to know if you’re filing taxes for the first time.)

Pass-Through Taxation

LLC member-owners have some control over how their business will be taxed. If there is only one member, it will automatically be treated like a sole proprietorship, and if there is more than one, like a partnership. In those cases, business income will pass through the business to the member-owners, and they’ll only get taxed once. Members will report income and losses on their personal tax returns, while the LLC itself is not taxed. (Learn how business income differs from other types of income.)

Because income and losses are reported as part of members’ personal financial pictures at tax time, taxes will be owed at each member’s personal tax rate.

Alternatively, the LLC owners may decide to be taxed as a corporation. If they choose an S-Corp structure, pass-through taxation still applies.

Recommended: How Long Does It Take Taxes to Come Back?

Heightened Credibility

When someone opens an LLC, it shows that they’ve gone beyond just hanging a shingle. Instead, they went through the decision making and paper filing processes involved in setting up the LLC.

Limited Compliance Requirements

According to the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), another form of business structure — the corporation — has the strictest requirements. In contrast, LLCs have some but fewer.

In general, an LLC should maintain a current operating agreement, hold annual meetings, ensure that they have appropriate shares recorded for each member, and keep records if membership interests transfer. (Find out if you can use a personal checking account for your business.)

Disadvantages of Creating an LLC

So far, the LLC sounds like the ideal low-maintenance company structure. However, there are several caveats to be aware of.

Cost

Forming an LLC can cost a few hundred dollars, which may be more than what a small business wants to spend. (An online budget planner can help business owners set budgets and track spending.) The company will also need to file annual reports along with annual fees and taxes. These taxes and fees may cost a miniscule amount or several hundred dollars annually.

No Stock Ownership

When a corporation wants to raise funds, they sometimes issue shares of stock. An LLC cannot issue stock.

Recommended: How to Start Investing in Stocks

Transferable Ownership

Some states may require that an LLC be dissolved if there is a change in ownership. If the people starting the business expect to take in outside investors over the years, a corporation might be a better choice.

How to Form an LLC

Once you’ve decided to start an LLC, you’ll want to choose and reserve a company name that doesn’t conflict with currently existing ones. Typically, an LLC must have what’s called a registered agent — someone who will handle official documents for the company.

Then, you’ll need to document the nuts and bolts of the operating agreement that describes the structure of the company. This can include who owns what portion of the company and who gets to vote on which issues. You’ll detail how profits and losses will be addressed, how the company will be managed, when meetings will be held, and how to handle the business if a member leaves the company or dies. This document should also describe what should happen if the company goes out of business.

How LLCs Are Different From Other Business Entities

An LLC is formed to be a legal entity that’s separate from its owners and is responsible for its business debts. Here’s how an LLC differs from other company structures.

LLC vs Sole Proprietorship

Profits in an LLC are only taxed once because of the pass-through taxation structure. This is reported on and addressed through owners’ personal tax returns by filing a Form 1040, Schedule C, listing profits or losses. As an LLC owner, you may be taxed as a sole proprietor, a partnership, or a corporation.

A sole proprietorship is owned by one person and is the simplest structure available. A sole proprietorship also involves pass-through taxation with the business owner paying taxes on the business’s profit. There isn’t as much flexibility in filing as a sole proprietor as there is with an LLC.

LLC vs S-Corp

An LLC is a business structure. An S-corp, meanwhile, is a tax classification. Many businesses decide to have their LLC taxed as an S-corp. The nuances can be complicated, so it makes sense to consult your personal accountant or other professional before making this decision.

LLC for Rental Property

If you create an LLC to buy rental homes, you’ll have the benefits of no personal liability and pass-through taxation. There can be a flexible ownership structure, personal anonymity, and fairly simple reporting.

However, it may be harder to finance rental property as an LLC. There can also be significant fees to get the LLC up and running. LLCs for rentals can be more complex at tax time, and property transfers can also be more complicated.

How to Choose the Right Business Type

Consider how simple or complex your proposed business will become. Do you plan to basically run the business yourself, or will it ideally turn into something bigger? What kind of legal protections will you need based on your business plans?

Entrepreneurs should also weigh the tax benefits of LLCs and sole proprietorships. The two structures, along with partnerships and S-corps, feature pass-through benefits, meaning that profits are taxed only when they’re paid to the company owner(s). A C-corp, meanwhile, is taxed as a company as well as when shareholder payouts are made.

Consult your accountant or financial advisor for specifics on your situation.

No matter what business structure you choose, it’s important to keep track of your finances. SoFi’s spending app provides you with an easy-to-use online budget planner so you can stay on top of your finances.

The Takeaway

Limited liability companies (LLCs) come with plenty of advantages and a few disadvantages. As its name implies, the owners’ and investors’ private assets are not at risk if the company should struggle financially. Owners of the LLC are referred to as members. Membership may range from one individual to multiple individuals to other companies.

A major benefit is pass-through taxation, where income passes through the company to its members, who report it on their personal taxes. One disadvantage of LLCs for very small businesses is the startup cost and annual fees, which can run to several hundred dollars a year. Consult a professional to find out whether an LLC is the right fit for your business plan.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

FAQ

What are the tax benefits of having an LLC?

With an LLC, you’ll have flexibility in deciding the structure under which your company will be taxed. There are more tax benefits of an LLC, including pass-through taxation, which means you’ll only get taxed once at your individual tax rate.

What are the benefits of a limited liability company?

They can include limited liability, meaning that owners aren’t personally responsible for company debts; flexible structures; pass-through taxation; more credibility; and fewer compliance requirements compared to a corporation.

What is the best tax option for an LLC?

Each situation is unique, so consult your accountant or financial advisor for specifics.

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SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SORL-Q424-006

Series EE bonds, or Patriot Bonds, were initiated in 1980 as a low-risk way for Americans to save. The money invested is guaranteed to double in 20 years.

They build upon the tradition of Series E bonds, or war bonds, which were introduced by the federal government in 1941. Learn more about this savings vehicle here.

What Is a Series EE Bond?

A series EE bond is a U.S. Treasury bond. It’s considered to be a very safe investment, as it’s backed by the U.S. government. It is guaranteed to double in value in 20 years, even if the government has to add funds to it to meet that mark.

To provide some context, here’s a quick look at what bonds are and how bonds work. A bond is a debt instrument. Bonds are issued by corporations or governments in order to raise capital. The bond market is huge — much larger than the equity markets. (In 2023, the market cap of the global bond market was about $133 trillion, versus $111 trillion for the stock market.) Investors provide capital to companies and governments when they buy the bonds, effectively loaning their money to that institution.

Meanwhile, the bond issuer agrees to pay investors the capital back, along with interest, after a certain period.

There are different kinds of bonds investors can purchase, including municipal, corporate, high-yield bonds, and U.S. Treasuries. A savings bond is a type of U.S. Treasury bond, issued with the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, meaning there’s virtually no chance of losing money. Savings bonds allow the government to borrow money for various purposes while giving investors a reliable and predictable stream of interest income.

Series E bonds, which were created in 1941 to help fund the WWII effort, were replaced in 1980 with Series EE bonds, or Patriot Bonds.

💡 Quick Tip: An online bank account with SoFi can help your money earn more — up to 3.80% APY, with no minimum balance required.

How Do Series EE Bonds Work?

If you’re interested in buying bonds, here are details on how a Series EE bond works:

•   Series EE bonds are electronic and can only be purchased and managed online with a TreasuryDirect account. They are available in any denomination starting at $25, up to $10,000 per person named on the bond, per calendar year.

•   These bonds are guaranteed to double in value in 20 years, even if the government needs to kick in extra cash. You can hold the bond for up to 10 additional years to continue to earn interest.

•   When you purchase a Series EE bond, the interest rate will be stated. Through October 31, 2024, the interest rate is 2.70%.

•   Interest is earned monthly, compounding semi-annually, for up to 30 years, unless you cash it sooner.

•   Series EE bonds can be cashed in (or redeemed) after 12 months, but early withdrawal can trigger a penalty of partial interest loss.

•   Electronic Series EE bonds can be cashed in via the TreasuryDirect site.

•   Interest earned on Series EE bonds is taxable at the federal level. Federal estate, gift, and excise taxes, as well as state estate or inheritance taxes, may also apply. If the money is used for qualified education expenses, however, you may not be subject to taxes.

•   The TreasuryDirect site also makes 1099-INT statements of interest earnings available annually.

Recommended: Understanding the Yield to Maturity (YTM) Formula

Understanding Series E Bonds

The popularity of Series E bonds may have hinged largely on the patriotic call to purchase them as part of the war effort. Buying bonds served two purposes: It helped the government to raise money for the war and it also helped to keep inflation at bay as shortages threatened to push consumer prices up. Apart from that, there were other qualities that might have made a Series E saving bond attractive.

These bonds were issued at 75% of their face value and returned 2.9% interest, compounded semiannually if held to 10-year maturity. So investors were able to earn a decent rate of return on their investment.

Series E bonds were also affordable, with initial denominations ranging from $25 to $1,000. Larger denominations of $5,000 and $10,000 were added later, along with two smaller memorial denominations of $75 and $200 to commemorate the deaths of President Kennedy and President Roosevelt, respectively.

Series E bonds were redeemable at any time after two months following the date of issue. Bond purchasers could redeem them for the full face value, along with any interest earned.

Interest from Series E bonds was taxable at the federal level but exempt from state and local taxes, adding to their appeal. And because they were issued by the federal government, they were considered a safe investment.

Recommended: Understanding the Yield to Maturity (YTM) Formula

Series EE Bond Maturity Rate

The maturity rate for EE bonds depends on when they were first issued.

Here’s a table showing the maturity dates for Series EE bonds over time:

Are Series EE Bonds Right for Me?

Series EE bonds can be a convenient, low-risk way to help your money grow over time. Plus, many people like the idea of investing in America and having their investment backed by the U.S. government. However, the rate of return may not be optimal, and the bonds are typically held for quite a long time versus a short-term investment.

Here are two popular alternatives you might consider to grow your money:

Savings Accounts

A savings account is a deposit account that’s designed to hold the money you don’t plan to spend right away. You can find various types of savings accounts at traditional banks, credit unions, and online banks. Savings accounts can pay interest, though not all at the same rate.

High-yield savings accounts at online banks, for example, tend to pay much higher rates than basic savings accounts at brick-and-mortar banks. Currently, they may offer around 4.60% APY (annual percentage yield) versus 0.58% for savings accounts.

Stocks

If you’re unclear about how stocks work, they effectively represent an ownership share in a company. When you buy shares of stock, you’re buying an ownership stake in a publicly traded company. The way you make money with stock investing is by buying low and selling high. In other words, you want to purchase stocks at one price then sell them for a higher price.

Stock trading can be a more powerful way to build wealth over time versus keeping money in a savings account or buying bonds. But there’s a tradeoff since stocks tend to be much riskier than bonds or savings accounts. Buying shares of mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which hold a collection of different stocks as well as bonds, is one strategy for managing that risk.

Recommended: Bonds vs. CDs: What’s Smart for Your Money?

Banking With SoFi

Series EE savings bonds can be a safe way to earn a steady rate of return. However, they aren’t the only way to grow your money.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

When should I cash in EE savings bonds?

Series EE savings bonds are optimally held for 20 years, at which point the money invested will have doubled. If you’d like to keep earning interest, you may hold the bonds for up to an additional 10 years.

How long does it take for a Series EE savings bond to mature?

Series EE savings bonds mature in 20 years. At the end of that period, the initial investment’s value will have doubled. You may hold them an additional 10 years and continue to earn interest, if you like.

Do Series EE savings bonds double after 20 years? 30 years?

Series EE savings bonds double after 20 years. If you don’t redeem them, you may continue to earn interest on them for another 10 years, for a total of 30 years.

Photo credit: iStock/loveguli

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2025 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Separately, SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days can also earn 3.80% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. For additional details, see the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.