Can I Pay Myself a Bonus From My S Corp? Paying Yourself as an S Corp Owner

  • Every S corp is different. Talk to an expert to ensure your pay model follows tax laws.
  • Shareholders must pay income and employment taxes on bonuses. Taxes include Social Security and Medicare up to $117,000 per year.

When paying yourself, consider distributions versus bonuses. An officer should pay themselves reasonable salary. The best way to pay profits is a distribution. A bonus goes through payroll and owes Social Security and Medicare taxes. That deduction applies only to leftover income, not wages or bonuses.

State Selection for Starting a Company

Choosing the best state to start a company can make or break it. Your home state is often best since that is where you will likely do most business.

Can I transfer money from S Corp to personal account?

Every S corp is different. Talk to an expert to ensure your pay model follows tax laws. Shareholders must pay income and employment taxes on bonuses. Bonuses are taxed differently. Taxes include Social Security and Medicare up to $117,000 per year.

To take dividends, don’t bonus yourself. Write a check directly to you or declare dividends. You can transfer money from business to personal accounts. Pay yourself 40% of income as distributions. Set your salary and bonus amount based on what similar roles earn.

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