03/13/2026
Determining a reasonable salary is one of the most important tax decisions for S-Corporation owners.
If compensation is set too low, the IRS may reclassify distributions as wages and assess additional payroll taxes and penalties. If it is set too high, business owners may pay more payroll tax than necessary.
Understanding how reasonable compensation works helps S-Corp owners stay compliant while making informed decisions about payroll and distributions.
This article explains how the IRS evaluates reasonable salary and the factors business owners should consider when determining owner compensation.
Written by Steve Madsen, CPA — advising business owners on tax strategy since 1993.
https://www.madsencpa.com/blog/reasonable-salary-s-corp-owners/