Stay Ahead of Tax Law Changes: Learn about the One Big Beautiful Bill

What If an S Corp Owner Can’t Pay Reasonable Compensation?

The Importance of Reasonable Compensation for S Corp Owners

One of the most common questions we receive from S corporation owners is:

“What happens if I can’t afford to pay myself reasonable compensation?”

The answer is both simple and complex. While business owners often think reasonable compensation is tied to profit or loss, the reality is that it’s linked to distributions.

Let’s break it down.

Understanding Reasonable Compensation

The IRS defines reasonable compensation as:

“The value that would ordinarily be paid for like services by like enterprises under like circumstances.”

In simpler terms, this is what it would cost to replace you with someone else doing the same job.

Key points to remember:

  • Reasonable compensation is based on the value of services provided, not on profits, distributions, or what the company can afford to pay.
  • Wages (reasonable compensation) must be paid before taking any distributions.
  • An S Corp owner can choose to take a salary without a distribution, but not the other way around.
  • If an S Corp owner doesn’t want to take reasonable compensation, they must also decline all distributions and can potentially “catch up” in a later year.

Scenario 1: Profitable Business with Distributions

James Carter owns 100% of Carter Construction, an S Corp.

  • 2022 net profit: $187,000 (before owner salary)
  • James’s reasonable compensation: $78,950
  • James wants to withdraw as much cash as possible.
  • After consulting with his CPA, he elects to withdraw $175,000.

How This Plays Out:

  • James pays himself $78,950 in wages.
  • He takes the remaining $96,050 as a distribution.

💡 Key takeaway: James followed IRS guidelines by paying himself reasonable compensation first, then taking a distribution.

Scenario 2: Business Profits Below Reasonable Compensation

Same business, different year.

  • 2023 net profit: $43,000 (before owner salary)
  • James’s reasonable compensation: $78,950
  • James wants to withdraw $50,000 from the company.

How This Plays Out:

  • James takes $50,000 as wages.
  • No distribution is allowed because reasonable compensation must be met first.

💡 Key takeaway: If the business isn’t making enough to cover reasonable compensation, the owner can take what’s available as wages but cannot take a distribution.

Scenario 3: No Distributions, No Salary

  • 2022 net profit: $187,000
  • James’s reasonable compensation: $78,950
  • He elects to take no distributions.

How This Plays Out:

  • James takes $0 in wages and $0 in distributions.

💡 Key takeaway: The IRS does not require S Corps to make distributions. Since James didn’t receive a distribution, he wasn’t required to take reasonable compensation.

But what happens if James wants to “catch up” on compensation later?

Scenario 4: Multi-Year Compensation Strategy

  • 2022 net profit: $187,000
  • James takes no salary and no distribution.
  • 2023 net profit: $220,000
  • James wants to take $400,000 from the business.

How This Plays Out:

  • Because James skipped his 2022 reasonable compensation, he must pay himself for both years before taking a distribution.
  • His salary for 2023 = $157,900 (covering both years).
  • The remaining $242,100 can be taken as a distribution.

💡 Key takeaway: The IRS allows multi-year compensation adjustments, but the owner must pay back wages before taking distributions.

Scenario 5: Business Loses Money, But Reasonable Compensation Still Applies

  • 2019: James loans his S Corp $60,000 to keep it afloat.
  • 2020: The business earns $17,000.
  • James takes $30,000 back from the business.

Two Possible Outcomes:

✔️ If James properly classified his $60,000 as a loan

  • The $30,000 repayment is simply paying himself back—no impact on reasonable compensation.

If James didn’t properly document the loan

  • The IRS may treat the $30,000 as a distribution—which means James should have first paid himself reasonable compensation.
  • To comply, he must reclassify $30,000 as wages and pay payroll taxes.

💡 Key takeaway: Any money withdrawn from the business—whether a loan repayment or reimbursement—must be properly documented. Otherwise, it could be reclassified as wages, leading to additional taxes.

Final Thoughts

Reasonable compensation is not tied to profit or loss—it’s tied to distributions.

If an S Corp owner is taking money out of the business, the IRS expects wages to be paid first. Anything taken beyond that can be a distribution.

The rules around reasonable compensation can be complex, and missteps can lead to IRS penalties, reclassified wages, and unexpected payroll taxes. Having a proactive tax strategy in place is essential.

👉 If you need guidance on setting reasonable compensation, structuring distributions, or planning for tax efficiency, our team at Molen & Associates is here to help!

📅 Schedule a consultation today!

The Molen & Associates Difference

Mike Forsyth

“Super helpful and timely. This is our first year with them and we look forward to trusting them with our taxes and business books for years to come.”

Caitlin Daulong

“Molen & Associates is amazing! They run an incredibly streamlined process, which makes filing taxes a breeze. So impressed with their attention to detail, organization, and swift execution every year. Cannot recommend them enough!”

Sy Sahrai

“I’ve been with Mr. Molen’s company for few years and I felt treated like family respect and dignity. They are caring, professional and honest, which hard to find these days. Love working with them.”

One Big Beautiful Bill: High-Income Phaseouts You Need to Know

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) delivers tax relief across many income levels, but for higher earners, some benefits phase out as income climbs. These phaseouts gradually reduce or eliminate valuable deductions and credits once your adjusted gross income (AGI)...

One Big Beautiful Bill: Clean Energy and “Green” Tax Credits You Can Use

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) didn’t just change income tax brackets and deductions—it also continued and expanded several clean energy and environmentally focused tax incentives. These credits reward taxpayers who make energy-efficient upgrades, invest in...

How the OBBB Tax Bill Could Save a Texas Family Thousands in 2025

(A Before & After Story) When the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) passed, many families wondered what it might mean for their taxes in real life. Let’s walk through a fictional example that might sound a lot like someone you know — maybe even you. Meet Jake and...

How to Correctly Pay Yourself and Take Cash from Your Business

As a small business owner, one of the most common questions you might have is: “How should I pay myself?” The answer isn’t always straightforward because it depends heavily on your business structure and tax situation. Whether you're aiming to maximize tax deductions,...

Estate & Gift Planning – What’s Changing Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) brings several important changes for individuals and families looking to transfer wealth, reduce estate taxes, and protect assets for future generations. Whether you’re planning modest gifts to family or multi-million-dollar legacy...

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) – Everything You Need to Know Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

Thinking of investing in—a high-growth small business, the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusion can be one of the most powerful tax strategies available. The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) makes important adjustments that keep QSBS attractive for...

Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit – Everything You Need to Know Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

The Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit has long been a powerful tool for businesses that innovate, design, and improve products or processes. The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) brings important changes that expand eligibility, increase potential savings,...

Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) – Everything You Need to Know Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB)

The Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program has been one of the most powerful tax incentives for investors and business owners since it was introduced in 2017. The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) makes several adjustments that extend its reach, giving investors more...

One Big Beautiful Bill: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is one of the most sweeping tax updates since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. With so many provisions affecting individuals, families, and business owners, it’s normal to have questions. At Molen & Associates, we’ve compiled...

Top 10 Tax Planning Tips Before Year-End Under the One Big Beautiful Bill

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has reshaped the tax landscape for individuals, families, and business owners. While many changes take effect in 2025, there are key moves you can make before year-end to set yourself up for maximum tax savings next year. At Molen...

Request an Appointment Today

12 + 9 =

Call us at

Share This