S-Corp vs LLC for contract role

[madmax]

So I'm going to be working as a consultant this year and am having a hard time dealing with the tax implications. My plan is to defer 53K into a solo 401k and seek to minimize taxes on the rest as well so I've started an LLC.

Should I elect to file as an S-Corp by filing form by filing form 2553 in order to save on Medicare taxes? I was planning on doing this and paying myself 140K in salary in order to maximize my 401k contributions (25%) and take the rest (120K) as a distribution. Is that a reasonable ratio to avoid an audit?

[Axecleaver]

Yes, this is a valid strategy. For a solo 401k, your contribution limit is $18000 plus 20% of your self employment income, or 25% of your salary (see pub 560 for details). You need a salary of 140k to get there.

Popular wisdom on meeting the "reasonable compensation" test is that if you pay the FICA max of $118,500, you're relatively safe. You could also point to salary surveys for the type of job you're doing, and compare the average to what you're taking.