Paying Yourself

Whether you’re an S-Corp owner deciding on salary vs. distributions, or managing crypto income alongside traditional pay, we’ll guide you through every step so you can pay yourself with confidence.

Pay Yourself the Smart Way

How you pay yourself affects more than just your bank account—it impacts your tax liability, retirement savings, and even your audit risk. Paying yourself too little can trigger IRS scrutiny, while paying too much can increase payroll taxes unnecessarily. For owners with multi-state businesses or crypto income, the stakes are even higher.

Why Compensation Strategy Matters

We guide you through the complexities of owner pay so you stay compliant, save taxes, and protect your wealth. With proactive planning, you can pay yourself fairly, stay compliant, and keep more of what you earn.

Guidance for Owners' Pay

Salary vs. draw vs. distribution strategies tailored to LLCs, S-Corps, and C-Corps.

Crypto Compensation Expertise

Tax compliance guidance for paying employees/contractors in crypto, e.g. tokens, stablecoins or other digital assets.

Ongoing Advisory Access

Built-in check-ins (depending on plan tier) to adjust compensation strategies as your business grows.

Tax Efficiency Planning

Optimize compensation to reduce self-employment and payroll taxes.

Multi-State Compliance

Ensure proper treatment if you’re operating or living across multiple jurisdictions.

Retirement & Benefits Alignment

Coordinate compensation with retirement contributions and long-term wealth planning.

How It Works

We make paying yourself simple and strategic—so you can focus on running your business with confidence.

Discover

We start with a conversation about your business structure, income sources, and personal financial goals.

Plan

Our team designs a tax-smart compensation strategy, balancing salary, draws, and distributions to fit your unique situation.

Launch

As your business evolves, we revisit your strategy regularly to ensure it stays efficient and compliant.
Completed check on a table with calculator on smartphone and coins on table

Ready to Pay Yourself the Right Way?

Don’t let guesswork or generic advice dictate how you take income from your business. With Chainwise CPA, you’ll have a trusted advisor helping you design compensation strategies that reduce taxes, stay compliant, and support your long-term wealth.