Every partnership owner faces the unique challenges of self-payment, tax filing, and maximizing their tax savings. Although they would rather focus on growing their business, taxes and payroll often take up too much of their valuable time. 

If the self-payment struggle is all too familiar to you, Xendoo is here to help. We have created this guide to help you pay yourself and maximize your savings as a partnership owner!

How to Pay Yourself as a Partnership Owner: The Owner’s Draw or Guaranteed Payments 

Partnership owners pay themselves by taking an owner’s draw or a guaranteed payment, with profits distributed to each member based on the partnership agreement. Note that partnership owners are not permitted to take a salary, as the IRS states that you cannot be both a partner and an employee. 

The Owner’s Draw

An Owner’s Draw differs from a regular salary in that you can take money from the company’s earnings as needed, rather than on a scheduled basis. Depending on how well your business is performing, you can draw more or less, allowing for flexibility in your payments.

 

If your business is profitable, subtract liabilities (any debt your company owes) from assets (items of value the company owns). The remaining amount is referred to as ownership equity, which is what you will take your draw from. This amount is reflected on the Balance Sheet, under Owner’s Equity. Once you determine the amount you want to take, it can be transferred from your business bank account to your personal account.  

 

Because the Owner’s Draw is taken from ownership equity, it reduces the funds that can be used for operating or growing the business. Partnership members must balance how much they need to support themselves and what the business needs to thrive.

 

Guaranteed Payments

What if your business is in the early stages, and not producing profit yet? The solution lies in guaranteed payments. 

 

Guaranteed payments are a minimum amount that is guaranteed to be paid to a partner regardless of business profitability. The payments must be made even if the result is a loss for the business. They provide a consistent income to partners as the business grows and becomes profitable. Note that if the business is operating at a loss and providing guaranteed payments to partners, that loss must be funded through debt or investments (equity) to ensure that the necessary expenses of the business can be paid. 

 

Discuss your options with an online partnership accountant at Xendoo. They will provide the financial insight needed to make the most informed decision regarding self-payment in your partnership! 

How Do I Pay My Taxes as a Partnership Owner?

Partnerships file their taxes using Form 1065, which determines that each partner is reporting their income correctly. Each partner must complete an accompanying Schedule K-1, which breaks down their share of the profits and losses. They also report this information on their individual tax return (Form 1040), with a Schedule E attached. The owner’s draw is not subject to payroll taxes, but it is considered personal income and is taxed accordingly. If partnership members take the owner’s draw, they must pay estimated taxes, which helps decrease their tax bill. 

 

Guaranteed payments are tax-deductible to the partnership, and are treated as self-employment income for the partnership members. They are reported on the Schedule K-1, and noted as income on the Schedule E. If the partnership members choose to take guaranteed payments, they will pay both income tax and self-employment taxes as individuals. 

What are the Tax Advantages of Filing as a Partnership? 

No Double Taxation 

The partnership itself does not pay income taxes. Partnerships are considered “pass-through entities”, meaning that profits and losses “pass through” the business to the partners, with each paying a portion of the total income tax of the business’s earnings. In this situation, profits and losses are only taxed at the personal level, which allows partnerships to avoid double taxation. 

 

Even with a significant tax advantage, taxes can still be stressful. Talk to a small business CPA at Xendoo. We provide online accounting for partnerships, as well as online bookkeeping services so you can stay tax-ready all year long.

Xendoo is Here for You

You are not alone as you navigate self-payment, tax filing, and all the financial ins and outs of your partnership. Xendoo is here to help! Our online bookkeeping and accounting team provides partnership owners with the financial insight needed to make the most informed decision regarding self-payment and partnership taxes! 

 

Are we a fit for your partnership? Get started today with a free consultation.

 

Want to learn more about the different business entity types? Click here.