Taxes are behind one of the oldest business-owner curses: The more you pay yourself, the more it could cost you in the long run. A huge culprit in this scenario is the Social Security tax. Most often, what you put into Social Security is nowhere near what you get out of it in benefits. And once you reach a certain salary level, it can become a real sticking point. Balancing the wages you deserve with an income that is tax-effective is the key.