Can a Multi-member LLC Owner Be on Payroll? How to Pay Yourself in a Multi-Member LLC

  • A multi-member LLC has two or more owners that share control. As a partnership, members take money from company profits. As an S-Corp, members use payroll and distributions. Series LLC owners pay themselves based on if they are single, multi-member, or S-Corp.

  • No, generally LLC owners cannot be employees nor receive wages and salaries. To get paid, members take distributions based on ownership percentage.

  • A single-member LLC reports income on the owner’s tax return and pays self-employment tax. A multi-member LLC is a partnership. LLC law protects owners’ personal assets if the business struggles.

  • How do partnership rules apply for a multi-member LLC? As pass-through entities, multi-member LLCs pass profits and losses to members to report on personal returns. Members pay taxes based on ownership share.

  • For an LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship, the single owner takes a "draw" from profits. For a multi-member LLC, members take distributions of their share of profits.

  • How do I pay myself in a multi-member LLC?

  • Can the owner of an LLC pay himself through payroll?

  • Can a partner in an LLC receive a W-2?

  • How are partners paid in a partnership?

  • What’s Bench? Online bookkeeping and tax filing powered by real humans.

  • Single-member LLCs pay themselves a distribution, not a salary. Small business owners can take distributions at any time by simply writing themselves a check for the amount they want to withdraw from the company coffers.

  • Understanding the Basics. In a multi-member LLC, you have the opportunity to pay yourself as one of the members of the company. This means that you can receive a salary or take distributions from the profits of the LLC.

  • Each member of the multi-member LLC will need to decide how they want to be paid by the company. It is typical for members of an LLC to pay themselves a salary as well as take distributions since they both have different tax consequences.

  • If your LLC has multiple members and needs to divide payments amongst partners, you must determine the most equitable way to divide the payments. This process should involve considering each member’s contributions and respective company interests. One option is to provide regular, equal payments to all partners.

  • You need to first make sure the LLC will still be adequately capitalized after the members take any distributions. This means ensuring that, after the members are paid, the LLC will still have enough money available to pay for its overhead, stay current with debts, purchase any supplies or equipment that the LLC needs or may need.

  • Quite often LLC owners choose to leave their incomes in the company to invest in further growth and development or maintain some specific internal initiatives and projects. However, knowing the options of paying yourself as an LLC will never go amiss. Let’s look into the three main alternatives you have.

  • Paying Yourself a Salary. It’s a great option for those LLC owners who play an active role in the management and ongoing operation of their entities. They have certain responsibilities and function pretty much the same as other hired company employees. In this case, you can determine the wages or salary you can rely on as compensation for the work you do.

  • Here are a few alternative ways to pay yourself as an LLC that is taxed as a corporation:

  • Pay Yourself as a W-2 Employee: As the owner of your LLC, you can draw a salary from the company and pay yourself via traditional payroll, just like other employees.

  • Tags: Paying Yourself. Payroll.

  • Quick note: This is not to be taken as tax advice. Since tax rules change over time and can vary by location and industry, consult a CPA or tax advisor for specific guidance. Find an accountant.

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  • What is the best way to pay yourself as a business owner?

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