A key question for every business owner
How much to pay yourself, in what form and when? The answer depends on many factors: legal form and social security status, company profit, personal needs, the social protection and pension you want, investment plans, family and tax situation.
Salary or management pay
It gives social security rights (pension, provident cover, benefits) and is a deductible expense for the company, but it bears social contributions.
Dividends
They are paid from profit after tax, under tax and social rules that vary with the company’s legal form and the shareholder’s situation.
The right balance
There is no universal ideal split. On request, we simulate several scenarios so that you can choose with full knowledge.
Salary or dividends: two different routes
Your goals, our answers
“I want to know how much to pay myself”
On request, we simulate several pay levels and their effect on your net income, your company and its cash. Try the Urssaf simulator
“I want to choose between salary and dividends”
On request, we compare the possible combinations, including tax, contributions and pension rights.
“I have just set up my company”
Remuneration is put in place when the business allows it: invoices issued and paid, enough cash, your personal situation. We discuss the right timing with you.
The forecasts, cash-flow plans, dashboards, simulations, studies and analyses mentioned above are additional engagements, provided on request and quoted in advance in your engagement letter: the more frequent they are, the higher their cost.
Frequently asked questions
SASU president or EURL manager: which status is better?
Neither is better in itself. The SASU president is treated as an employee for social security; the majority EURL manager is self-employed: contributions, social protection and the treatment of dividends differ. The choice depends on your goals.
Is the director’s pay deductible?
Yes, in principle, if it matches actual work and is not excessive. Dividends are not deductible.
What about my pension?
Salary or management pay creates pension rights; dividends in principle do not. It is a key factor in the decision.
How are dividends taxed in France?
In principle with a flat-rate levy, with an overall option for the progressive scale. Depending on the legal form and the shareholder’s situation, part may be subject to social contributions.
Can I pay myself only dividends?
It is legally possible in some structures, but it affects your social protection and pension. We look at this with you.