September 2026
Reasonable Compensation: What S-Corp Owners Get Wrong About Their Salary
Pay yourself too little and the IRS notices; too much and you give away the whole point of the S-election. Here's how to find the line.
Read the postCertified Public Accountant
David Rachford
Founder, David Rachford CPA · Goleta, California
Tax planning, entity strategy, and straight advice for individuals, trusts, and closely held businesses on the Central Coast.
CPA
U.S. Navy Veteran
Santa Barbara & Goleta
Individuals · Trusts · Closely Held Businesses
About
An independent practice built on planning, not just filing.
I run an independent CPA practice in Goleta, serving clients across Santa Barbara and California's Central Coast. The focus is tax planning and preparation, entity strategy, and bookkeeping for individuals, trusts, and closely held businesses, with an emphasis on getting ahead of decisions rather than cleaning up after them.
My work spans S-corporation filings and reasonable-compensation strategy, startup and founder tax planning (Section 1202 QSBS, 83(b) elections, S-to-C conversions), HOA returns, household-employee payroll compliance, and QuickBooks cleanup. Before all of that, I served in the U.S. Navy, which is still how I approach a client's books: figure out what matters, do it right, and keep it simple.
I also write about practical tax strategy for small-business and trades owners, and I lean on modern automation and AI to keep the routine work fast so the planning gets real attention.
Let's talk about your tax situation.
Whether it's a return, an entity decision, or a plan for next year, a short call is the best place to start.
Writing
Notes on tax & strategy
August 2026
QSBS and the Section 1202 Exclusion: A Founder's Field Guide
How the qualified small business stock rules actually work, the traps that quietly disqualify shares, and what to lock in early.
Read the postJuly 2026
The Household Employee Payroll Trap
Nannies, caregivers, and house managers come with real payroll obligations. What the "nanny tax" covers and how to stay compliant.
Read the postMore writing on the way. Want a topic covered? Send it over.
Contact
Get in touch
Based in Goleta, working with clients across Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. The fastest way to start is to book a call.
Phone
Email
Offices
69 Santa Felicia Drive, Suite 26
Goleta, CA 93117
5290 Overpass Rd #40
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Practice