About
A clearer way to plan S-corp owner pay
S-Corp Pay Planner exists to help solo S-corp owners think through salary, distributions, reserves, and deadlines with more clarity — before final decisions get made.
A planning and organization tool. Not payroll, bookkeeping, tax filing, or legal advice.
Why this product exists
S-corp pay planning is harder than it should be
Every solo S-corp owner runs into the same handful of problems.
Owner pay is confusing
Most S-corp owners aren't sure what a defensible salary actually looks like for their situation.
Salary vs distributions is easy to second-guess
Without a clear view, it's tempting to keep changing the split or just copy what someone else does.
Tax reserves are easy to underestimate
Income tax surprises usually come from not setting aside enough throughout the year.
Deadlines are easy to forget
Quarterly estimates, payroll filings, and annual deadlines pile up fast when no one is tracking them.
Notes end up scattered
Spreadsheets, screenshots, and email threads make it hard to see the full compensation picture.
What this product is
A planning tool, on purpose
A focused planning layer
Designed around one job: helping S-corp owners think through owner pay decisions clearly.
Built for solo operators
Solo consultants, agency owners, and service-based founders running an S-corp on their own.
Made for the planning step
Useful before you set salary, run payroll, or move money — when decisions still need to be thought through.
What this product is not
Clear boundaries, on purpose
Being specific about what this isn't keeps the planning experience honest.
Not payroll software
It does not run payroll, calculate withholdings on a paycheck level, or generate W-2s.
Not bookkeeping
It does not track transactions, reconcile accounts, or replace accounting software.
Not tax filing
It does not file forms, submit estimated payments, or send anything to the IRS.
Not a CPA replacement
It supports better conversations with your CPA — it does not provide professional advice.
Not a legal or compliance authority
It does not certify reasonable salary, audit defense, or regulatory compliance.
How trust is handled
Trust earned through clarity, not authority
Transparent assumptions
Every formula and assumption used in planning estimates is documented and visible — no hidden math.
Plain-English explanations
Warnings, statuses, and results are written in everyday language, not jargon or marketing copy.
Visible methodology
A dedicated methodology page shows how each output is calculated and where simplifications are made.
Honest limitations
We say clearly what the tool does not model and where a CPA or qualified professional is still needed.
No false compliance guarantees
We never claim the tool produces legally compliant, audit-proof, or filing-ready numbers.
Who it's for
Built for solo S-corp owners
Built for
- Solo consultants operating as an S-corp
- Solo agency owners running an S-corp
- Service-based founders already elected as S-corp
Not built for
- Multi-owner S-corps with shared compensation decisions
- Inventory-heavy or product businesses with complex COGS
- Anyone looking for full-service accounting, payroll, or filing
Practical trust signals
Easy to verify before you commit
Methodology is public
A dedicated methodology page documents how every estimate is built, including assumptions and limits.
See methodology →FAQ is public
Common questions about the calculator, Free vs Pro, billing, and product boundaries are answered openly.
Read the FAQ →Pricing is visible
Free and Pro plans are clearly compared with no hidden fees, fake urgency, or surprise charges.
See pricing →Try before signup
The free calculator works without an account so you can see how the tool thinks before committing.
Use free calculator →Final tax, legal, and compliance decisions should always be confirmed with a licensed CPA or qualified professional.
See how the planner thinks
Try the free calculator first. If it helps you think more clearly, Pro adds saved scenarios, reserves, and deadline tracking.