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Should You Be Paying Yourself a Salary? Here’s How to Decide

As a small business owner or entrepreneur, you’ve likely poured countless hours and energy into building your business. But when it comes to paying yourself, things can get tricky. Should you take a regular salary, or draw money from your profits only when you need it? What amount is appropriate without jeopardizing your business’s financial health?


Deciding when and how to pay yourself can feel complicated, especially when you’re balancing the need to reinvest in your business with the personal need for income. In this post, we’ll explore the key factors that go into deciding whether to pay yourself a salary and how to structure your compensation in a way that supports both you and your business.


1. Why Paying Yourself Matters


Before diving into the how, let’s talk about why paying yourself is important in the first place. Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of putting their personal income on the back burner in favor of growing the business. While reinvesting in your company is important, not paying yourself—or inconsistently paying yourself—can lead to financial instability in your personal life and burnout in your business.

Here are a few reasons why paying yourself a regular salary is crucial:


  • Sustainability: Running a business is a long-term commitment, and you need to ensure that your personal finances are sustainable. Regular income helps you cover your living expenses, build personal savings, and maintain financial stability outside of your business.

  • Work-life balance: Without a steady paycheck, you might feel like you’re constantly sacrificing your personal needs for your business. Paying yourself helps create a healthier work-life balance and reduces the pressure to keep pouring all your resources into the business.

  • Motivation and reward: As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of running a business. Regularly compensating yourself serves as a tangible reward for your hard work and dedication, helping you stay motivated as your business grows.


2. Factors to Consider Before Paying Yourself a Salary


While paying yourself is important, the amount you should take as a salary depends on several factors. Here are some key considerations to guide your decision:


Business Structure

Your business’s legal structure plays a significant role in determining how and when you can pay yourself:

  • Sole Proprietorship or Partnership: In these business structures, you don’t technically take a “salary.” Instead, you draw from the business’s profits. This means you can withdraw money whenever you need it, but it’s important to keep enough in the business to cover operating expenses and future investments.

  • LLC: For single-member LLCs, the rules are similar to a sole proprietorship, where you take draws from the profits. Multi-member LLCs can distribute profits based on each member’s ownership percentage. However, some LLC owners elect to be taxed as an S Corporation, which allows you to take both a salary and distributions.

  • S Corporation or C Corporation: In a corporation, you’re considered an employee of the business and must take a reasonable salary. This salary is subject to payroll taxes, but any additional profits you take (dividends or distributions) may not be taxed at the same rate.


Understanding your business structure is crucial for tax compliance and for deciding how you’ll be paid. If you’re unsure, it’s wise to consult with a tax professional or accountant to ensure you’re following the right guidelines.


Profitability and Cash Flow


Before you decide to pay yourself a salary, take a close look at your business’s profitability and cash flow. If your business is not consistently generating enough profit, paying yourself too much too soon could strain your business’s finances or leave you struggling to pay bills.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is my business consistently profitable, or are my profits unpredictable?

  • Do I have enough cash flow to cover my operating expenses (rent, utilities, salaries, etc.) while still paying myself?

  • How much should I leave in the business to reinvest in growth, marketing, or new hires?

Paying yourself should not come at the expense of your business’s financial health. If your business is in its early stages or still growing, you may need to start with a modest salary and adjust as your profits increase.


Personal Financial Needs


While your business’s financial health is a top priority, don’t forget about your personal financial needs. How much do you need to cover your basic living expenses—rent, mortgage, groceries, utilities, and other bills? If you’re not paying yourself enough to meet these needs, you risk putting yourself in financial stress, which can spill over into your business.

Calculate your monthly personal expenses, including any debts or savings goals, to determine how much you need to take home. While you may not be able to pay yourself the ideal amount right away, setting a realistic salary goal will help guide your decisions as your business grows.


Taxes


Taxes can be one of the more confusing parts of paying yourself, but they’re an essential consideration. How you pay yourself impacts your tax obligations:

  • Self-employment taxes: If you’re a sole proprietor, LLC owner, or in a partnership, you’re responsible for paying self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare) on any profits you draw from the business.

  • Payroll taxes: If you’re paying yourself a salary as an employee of an S Corporation or C Corporation, your salary is subject to payroll taxes. However, any additional distributions you take may not be taxed as heavily, which can help you save on taxes overall.

Consult with a tax professional to understand your specific tax situation and how paying yourself affects both your personal taxes and your business’s tax obligations.


3. How to Set a Reasonable Salary


Once you’ve considered the factors above, the next step is to determine how much you should pay yourself. Here’s a guide to help you set a reasonable salary:


Step 1: Review Your Business’s Financials

Start by reviewing your financial statements—particularly your profit and loss statement (P&L) and cash flow statement. How much revenue is coming in consistently? How much are your operating expenses? This will give you a clear picture of how much your business can afford to pay you without putting it in financial jeopardy.


Step 2: Consider Industry Standards

Research what business owners in your industry typically pay themselves. Websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics can give you an idea of average salaries for entrepreneurs or professionals in your field. While you might not be able to match these salaries right away, it’s helpful to set a benchmark for what’s reasonable.


Step 3: Calculate a Percentage of Profits

A common method for determining your salary is to allocate a percentage of your business’s profits. For example, if your business generates $100,000 in annual profit, you might decide to pay yourself 30-50% of that, leaving the remainder to cover taxes, expenses, and reinvestment.


Step 4: Adjust Over Time

Your salary isn’t set in stone. As your business grows and becomes more profitable, you can gradually increase your pay. On the flip side, if your business experiences a rough patch, be prepared to lower your salary temporarily to maintain your company’s financial stability.


4. Should You Take Distributions Instead?


In some cases, taking distributions or dividends from your business in addition to (or instead of) a salary may be a more tax-efficient option. This is particularly true for S Corporation owners, who can take a reasonable salary and pay themselves additional profits in the form of distributions, which may not be subject to payroll taxes.

However, keep in mind that relying solely on distributions can lead to inconsistent income, which might make it harder to plan your personal finances. A balanced approach—taking a salary and occasional distributions—can provide you with a steady income while optimizing your tax savings.


Final Thoughts: Balancing Your Pay with Your Business’s Needs


As a business owner, paying yourself a salary isn’t just about financial reward—it’s about ensuring long-term stability for both you and your business. By carefully considering your business’s profitability, your personal financial needs, and the tax implications, you can determine a fair salary that supports your business’s growth and your personal well-being.

Remember, your salary can (and should) evolve as your business grows. Start with what’s reasonable and sustainable, and adjust over time as your business flourishes. By paying yourself fairly, you’ll create a more balanced, rewarding, and financially secure entrepreneurial journey.


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