Three taxes every business has to think about
Depending on where you operate, your tax burden usually breaks down into three categories. Not every business has all three, but most have at least two.
- Sales tax or VAT — money you collect on behalf of the tax authority. This is never your money.
- Income or corporate tax — paid on profit, usually quarterly or annually.
- Payroll and social charges — paid on salaries, including the owner's if applicable.
A simple reserve formula
For most small businesses, a working reserve target is 25–35 percent of every payment received, transferred immediately into a separate savings account. This number is high on purpose. It is easier to underestimate tax than to overestimate it, and the surplus rolls into next year.
If you operate under VAT or GST, the VAT portion (typically 15–25 percent of the gross) should be reserved separately. Mixing it with operating cash is the most common reason small businesses end up owing tax they cannot pay.
Reserve before, not after
The mechanics matter. Reserving 'whatever is left at month end' does not work because there is rarely anything left. Reserve at the moment cash arrives. Many SMBs use a separate bank account or a savings sub-account specifically labelled 'Tax reserve' so the money stops feeling spendable.
Adjust the rate over time
After the first full tax year, you have data. Look at your actual tax bill as a percentage of revenue and adjust the reserve rate up or down for the next year. Most businesses settle into a stable rate within two years.
If your revenue or business model changes substantially — new product line, hiring your first employee, opening in a new country — recalculate. Stale reserve rates create false confidence.