S-Corp Reasonable Salary Calculator
Estimate a tax-efficient, IRS-compliant salary for S-Corp owners. Balance payroll tax savings against audit risks based on net profit and industry standards.
What Is Reasonable Compensation & Why It Matters
Reasonable Compensation is the salary an S-Corp owner must pay themselves for the services they actually perform for the business. Unlike a Sole Proprietorship, the IRS requires S-Corp owners who work in the business to take a salary (W-2) subject to payroll taxes.
This prevents owners from avoiding payroll taxes by taking everything as distributions. The distinction is critical: Salary is taxed for Social Security and Medicare (15.3%), whereas Distributions are not subject to these payroll taxes. Finding the balance is the key to S-Corp tax efficiency.
Key Components Explained
Net Business Profit
This is your total revenue minus ordinary business expenses. Important: Do not subtract the owner's salary or distributions yet. This is the "pie" that gets split between your W-2 wage and profit distributions.
Market Rate (Hourly)
Think of this as "Replacement Cost"—what you would pay a stranger to do your job. Check sites like Glassdoor or Indeed for your specific job title in your zip code to find an accurate hourly wage.
Hours Worked
Be realistic. Owner hours often differ from employee hours. If you work weekends or answer emails at night, include that time. A 40-hour standard is often insufficient for dedicated S-Corp owners.
Industry Type
The "Reasonable" test varies by industry. Service businesses (consulting, law) generally require a higher percentage of profit as salary compared to product-based businesses (retail, manufacturing), where capital equipment drives revenue.
How We Calculate Your Salary
We compare your Net Profit against the Market Value of your labor to determine a safe, audit-proof range. This logic aligns with the IRS Audit Techniques Guide.
Salary = Min(Net Profit, Market Rate × Hours × 52)
The Logic:
- Step 1: We calculate what your labor is worth on the open
market (
Hourly Rate × Hours × 52). - Step 2: If your business earns more than your labor is worth, we set your salary at the market value. The rest is tax-efficient distribution.
- Step 3: If your business earns less than your labor is worth, we set your salary equal to your total profit (maximum safe amount without losing money).
Tax Savings Note: You save the 15.3% Self-Employment Tax (Social Security + Medicare) on every dollar classified as a distribution rather than a salary.
How to Use This Tool
- Gather your P&L statement to find your exact Net Business Profit.
- Determine your hourly worth by checking Glassdoor or Indeed for your specific role.
- Enter your honest weekly hours. Don't underestimate your effort; the IRS won't.
- Review the "Audit Risk Profile" in the results to ensure you are in a safe zone.
Pro Tip
Use the 'Presets' button to see examples for your industry to benchmark your inputs.
Understanding Your Results
The calculator provides an "Audit Risk Profile" based on the ratio of your salary to your total profit. Here is how to interpret the color-coded bands:
Low Risk (Green Zone)
Your salary is near or above market value relative to your profit. This is the "Sweet Spot." You are compliant and minimizing taxes legally.
Medium Risk (Yellow Zone)
Your salary is slightly below market value but may be defensible if you have documentation. Consider increasing your W-2 slightly to reduce exposure.
High Risk (Red Zone)
Your salary is negligible compared to your profit. There is a high likelihood of IRS reclassification, leading to back taxes, penalties, and interest.
The Trade-off: Maximizing tax savings (high distributions) increases audit risk. The calculator finds the mathematical balance between these two opposing forces.
S-Corp vs. Sole Proprietorship
| Feature | Sole Proprietor | S-Corp |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll Tax | Paid on 100% of net profit | Paid only on W-2 Salary |
| IRS Audit Risk | Low (Standard Schedule C) | Moderate/High (Focus on Salary) |
| Administrative Burden | Low (Annual filing only) | High (Payroll required) |
Summary: S-Corp saves tax money only after profit exceeds the ~$60k-$80k salary threshold required to run the business.
What Changes Your Reasonable Salary?
- Role Complexity: A CEO doing strategy commands higher pay than a manager doing operations.
- Business Type: High-labor businesses (consulting) require a higher % of salary than high-capital businesses (manufacturing).
- Geographic Location: NY/SF salaries justify higher pay than rural areas (though this calculator uses a USD average).
- Consistency: Paying yourself $0 for 6 months then $100k in December looks suspicious to the IRS.
When to Recalculate Your Salary
Scenario 1: Business Growth
When profit doubles, re-run the calculator to see if you can take more as distributions while keeping your salary flat.
Scenario 2: Changing Roles
If you step back from daily operations, your "Reasonable Salary" decreases. Reduce your W-2 to match the lower market value of the new role.
Scenario 3: Annual Review
Best practice: Calculate once a year to set your W-2 for the upcoming year. Use the PDF Download feature to save your annual estimate for your records.
Limitations & Disclaimer
Important Disclaimer
This tool is for estimation only. Consult a CPA for final filing.
- Some states (e.g., CA, NY) have different tax rules for S-Corps.
- The "Reasonable" Test uses more than math (IRS looks at duties, agreements, and what you pay others).
- Taking zero salary is generally illegal if you perform work for the S-Corp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
- IRS Publication 535 (Business Expenses)
- IRS Audit Techniques Guide for Reasonable Compensation
- Watson v. United States (Tax Court Case)
- 15.3% Self-Employment Tax rate (Social Security 12.4% + Medicare 2.9%).
About the Author
Nithya Madhavan
Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.