Should I pay myself before the year ends?

“Should I pay myself before the year ends?”

This is one of the most frequent questions I get in December.

Here’s the simple answer:

If you’re a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, paying yourself does not change your taxes. It’s not a deduction — it’s simply an owner draw.

If you’re an S-Corp owner, year-end payroll does matter. You may need to verify that your reasonable salary is correct before taking distributions.

If you’re unsure which category you fall into, ask. A quick conversation now can prevent costly payroll mistakes later.

Just saying…