This is the one I hear as the prime excuse. Nothing left to pay myself.
But inevitably, they take distributions in some manner, such as expense reimbursement, medical insurance, car lease, etc. Some just cannot grasp they have to pay themselves wages at least min wage for all time worked, overtime when required, THEN, if there is anything left, other things can be paid. I try to remind that they must treat themselves the same as a stranger employee, to deaf ears.
If there really is no money coming in, then they can pay themselves as a payable, equity, or whatever their accountant prefers.
Not that I do tax returns for others. It comes up when someone asks me how to create a one off check for the prior year, or an end of year check to cover wages or to make withholding.