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5 tax-smart ways to take cash out of your C corporation
September 16, 2026
If you own a closely held C corporation, you might be looking for ways to withdraw cash from your business. Paying yourself a dividend can be a straightforward option — but it comes at a tax cost. Corporate distributions are generally taxable to you to the extent of your company’s “earnings and profits,” and your company can’t deduct them. Distributions exceeding earnings and profits first reduce your stock basis; any remaining distribution is typically treated as capital


