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Arc & Ledger Tax Tools

Estimate S-corp reasonable compensation

estimate_reasonable_comp
Read-only

Use this when an S-corp owner asks how much salary they should pay themselves ("reasonable compensation," "am I paying myself right?"). Given net profit and what drives it, returns a starting salary RANGE, the distribution left over, the employment tax that classification avoids, and the facts-and-circumstances test the IRS actually applies. Emphasizes that a defensible figure needs a comp study.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
profit_driverNoWhat drives the profit: "primarily_owner_services" (consulting/agency/solo professional), "mixed" (your work plus staff/systems), or "capital_or_product" (product/capital/team, not your labor). Defaults to primarily_owner_services.
business_net_profit_usdYesAnnual net profit of the S-corp BEFORE any owner salary (revenue minus business expenses).

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
relayYesInstruction to the calling assistant: relay figures and dates verbatim (identical on every response).
next_stepYesA single review link appropriate to this server surface.
disclaimerYesGeneral-information disclaimer (identical on every response).
source_urlYesThe arcandledger.com page that backs this answer.
server_versionNoServer release that produced this response (matches GET /version).

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false. The description adds value by detailing outputs (salary range, distribution, tax savings, IRS test) and a caveat about needing a comp study, expanding beyond annotation hints.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two clear, front-loaded sentences. Every sentence provides essential information without fluff.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness5/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With 2 parameters fully described in schema and an output schema present, the description adequately covers use case, inputs, outputs, and a key caveat. No gaps remain.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the description does not need to add much. It mentions 'Given net profit and what drives it' but provides no additional details beyond schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description specifies the tool estimates S-corp owner reasonable compensation salary range, with clear verb and resource. It distinguishes from sibling tools by focusing on this specific tax topic.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description explicitly states when to use ('when an S-corp owner asks...'). It implies context but does not list exclusions or alternatives, though alternatives are not obvious given sibling tool names.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Disambiguation4/5

Most tools have distinct purposes (e.g., FBAR/FATCA, penalty estimation, consultation booking), though check_resolution_options and estimate_irs_penalty both deal with IRS debts but address different aspects (settlement paths vs. penalty calculation). Overall, boundaries are clear due to detailed descriptions.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tools follow a consistent verb_noun pattern in snake_case (e.g., book_consultation, check_fbar_fatca, estimate_reasonable_comp). No mixing of styles or vague verbs.

Tool Count4/5

18 tools is slightly on the high side but justified for a comprehensive tax tool covering common scenarios (penalties, estimates, notices, formations). Each tool serves a specific need without redundancy.

Completeness4/5

The set covers major tax areas (foreign reporting, penalties, estimated taxes, entity formation, IRS notices). Minor gaps exist, such as state income tax and retirement contributions, but the core domain for small business owners and non-residents is well covered.