Seven U.S. companies have been found to pay their CEOs a salary greater than what those companies owe in taxes.

Two think tanks, the Institute for Policy Studies and the Center for Effective Government, found that Boeing, Ford Motor Co., Chevron Corp., Citigroup, Verizon Communications, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and General Motors, which in 2013 reported more than $74 billion in combined U.S. pre-tax profits, came out ahead on their taxes, gaining $1.9 billion more than they owed.

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At the same time, the CEO of each of the seven companies was paid an average of $17.3 million last year.

The results were slammed by at least one of the companies mentioned.

"We do not provide a breakdown between federal vs. state in that total; however, I am confirming for you that the federal portion of that number is well more than Verizon's CEO's compensation," a spokesman for the communications heavyweight said in an e-mail. 

Verizon said it paid $422 million in income taxes in 2013. 

The other companies were quick to point out that whatever their salary policies were, they still were in line with the law and paid the IRS what they owed, as well as any international taxes.

"In 2013, Citi paid more than $3 billion in payroll taxes and more than $95 million in use tax, personal property and real property taxes in the U.S.," a company spokesman said. 

Banking giant JPMorgan Chase declined to comment on the study, but automakers Ford and General Motors said their current U.S. tax bills are reduced by tax loss carry forwards stemming from severe losses incurred during the initial days of the Great Recession that left the U.S. auto industry reeling.

Energy group Chevron said its 2013 current U.S. federal income tax expense of $15 million "was much lower than normal" due to several factors. Echoing other companies, Chevron stressed it pays taxes worldwide.

There has been no comment from Washington politicians on the findings or any actions they may take in light of the revelations. 

Tagsverizon, Ford, JPMorgan Chase, General Motors, Citigroup, Citi, corporate salary, Chevron, IRS