united-states business
Can I use the term &quot;Inc&quot; when I have an S-corp?
<p>If I have an S-corp called <code>Lorem Ipsum</code> (not a trade name, but registered business name), can I refer to that S-corp as <code>Lorem Ipsum Inc.</code>?</p>

<p>Yes. It is acceptable to do so, so long as your business is indeed a corporation. Inc. means a corporation under state law, and if that is true it is fine.</p>

<p>It is technically possible to have an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation rather than as a partnership, which then makes an S corporation election. In that case, it would be improper to use the ending "Inc." (although state law might say otherwise, and in that case it would be O.K.)</p>

<p>If you did have an LLC that used "Inc." following its name, the misleading term might be considered harmless for most purposes, but it could still be problematic because people who make payments to corporations (regardless of tax classification) are not required to issue a 1099 to the corporation, while someone who makes a payment to an LLC (regardless of its tax classification) is required to issue at 1099 if the payment is more than $600. (Of course that are exceptions to both of these general rules, for example, for payments made to attorneys.)</p>
