[JohnFen]

Oh, I do a very heavy analysis before each venture. My family and I have done very well with them, thank you. When I'm doing a startup, I'm living on savings, not a minimum-wage salary.

My businesses can't pay me my going wage at the start because I try to avoid debt when starting a business to the greatest degree possible. There are much more crucial expenses that money needs to go to (such as paying others).

[Consultant32452]

There's two threads being pulled here.

Thread 1 is whether or not the behavior you describe is a crime

Thread 2 is whether or not anyone will ever enforce it and what might the penalties be (if any)

My guess is that it's technically a (minor) crime but will never be enforced unless you become a political problem or something and they just need to find any old crime to get you.

None of the above should be considered legal or financial advice. It is solely my personal opinion and I am not an accountant or lawyer.

[kaashif]

This feels like you replied to the wrong comment, there's nothing remotely resembling a crime in what you replied to.

[JohnFen]

I am quite certain that I'm not engaging in anything that violates the law. I'm not even engaging in anything slightly dubious. There's no tax avoidance or evasion going on here at all (this practice in no way reduces my tax bill).