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S-Corp Reasonable Compensation

Stop guessing what reasonable looks like.

Know exactly what to pay yourself — and have the documentation to prove it if the IRS asks. Built on the same BLS wage data the IRS uses. About 15 minutes.

BLS.gov
Federal wage data
7k+
Jobs mapped
400+
Metro areas
$199
Per report

Built for S-Corp owners and the CPAs who advise them

Whether you’re setting your own salary or advising a client, the process is the same — and takes about 15 minutes.

I’m an S-Corp Owner

Find out what the IRS considers a reasonable salary for what you actually do. Answer a few questions about your role, and we’ll calculate a data-supported number using federal wage data.

Start your report

I’m a CPA or Tax Advisor

Generate client-ready reasonable compensation reports in minutes. All three IRS-recognized approaches — documented and ready if the IRS comes asking.

Run a client report

From job description to IRS-ready report

Three steps. About 15 minutes.

  1. Step 1

    Describe your role

    Select the tasks you actually perform — from bookkeeping to sales to managing employees. Rate your proficiency at each one.

  2. Step 2

    We price each task

    Each task is matched to BLS wage data for your metro area and experience level. The math is documented and every number traces to a public source.

  3. Step 3

    Download your report

    Get a PDF with methodology documentation, source citations, and a board resolution template. Ready for your tax return or an IRS audit.

Reasonable compensation shouldn’t cost unreasonable money

Every S-corp owner needs to pay themselves a reasonable salary. The IRS requires it. But figuring out what “reasonable” actually means has traditionally meant expensive consultants or opaque software.

We built this tool because we believe the answer should come from public, verifiable data — and it shouldn’t cost hundreds of dollars to get it.

  • BLS data, not a black box

    We use the same Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data the IRS references. Every number is traceable to a public source.

  • Task-by-task precision

    You’re not one job title — you’re a dozen. The report values each task independently, so your salary reflects what you actually do.

  • Transparent pricing

    A single report is $199. Annual plans for CPAs start at $499/yr. See pricing

What the report looks like

A simplified example of the task-by-task breakdown. Your report reflects your actual role, location, and experience.

Cost Approach — Many Hats Method

Each task you perform is priced using BLS wage data for your metro area and experience level.

Bookkeeping & Accounting
30%$26,220
Sales & Business Dev
25%$24,375
HR & Employee Mgmt
20%$18,720
General Operations
25%$18,085
Weighted Annual Salary$87,400

Based on 4 tasks, 2,080 hours, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward MSA

See the full sample report →

Common questions

The calculation approaches, data sources, and documentation format are drawn directly from the IRS Reasonable Compensation Job Aid — the same guidance the IRS's own valuation professionals use. Every wage figure cites the BLS occupation code, geographic area, and data year, so an auditor can independently verify every number. The full methodology is published on this site for anyone to review. We always recommend reviewing the report with your CPA.

Yes. There's a full sample report on the site, no email required. Same format, same data sources, same methodology documentation you'd get in yours.

See the sample report →

It's the salary an S-corp must pay its owner-employees for the work they perform. The IRS requires it to be comparable to what someone in a similar role would earn in the open market. Getting it wrong can trigger penalties, back taxes, and interest.

All wage data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. We use data at the metropolitan area level. No proprietary databases, no unverifiable adjustments.

Read the full methodology →

About 15 minutes. You walk through a short questionnaire describing the owner's role and how they spend their time. The report generates immediately after. Download the PDF whenever you need it. Finalized reports never expire; drafts are automatically finalized after 14 days.

Find out what reasonable looks like

Pick your tasks. Get a salary backed by BLS data.

Start Your Report