02/17/2026
If you’re a 1099 CRNA and money is just moving from your business account to your personal account whenever you “need it,” we need to talk.
Because what you call that transfer actually matters.
Salary. Owner draw. Distribution.
Same dollars. Very different tax consequences.
I’ve had more conversations than I can count that start with, “I just move money over when I need it.” Totally normal. But if you’re an S-Corp, the IRS expects reasonable W2 wages before you start taking distributions. If you’re a sole prop, draws don’t reduce your taxable income. And if you’re mixing terminology, your bookkeeping, tax projections, and even mortgage applications can get messy fast.
This is one of those areas where small structural decisions create big downstream effects.
I broke it all down in plain English here:
https://onpointcrna.com/owner-draw-vs-salary-vs-distribution/
Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Talk with your CPA or attorney about your specific situation.