Self-Employed Income Goal Calculator
Being self-employed means your goal isn't a salary, it's a revenue target. Enter the monthly income you want to keep and see how much you must bill and how many projects that takes.
The currency only changes the symbol. No exchange rates are applied.
Your result
How it works
Tax is paid on profit, which is revenue minus business expenses. The calculator grosses your take-home goal up for tax and then adds expenses to find the revenue you need to invoice each month.
Dividing that revenue by your average project price tells you how many projects, clients or retainers you must land every month. The tax reserve shows how much to set aside from each month's income.
Revenue = Take-home goal / (1 - tax rate) + Expenses
Tax reserve = (Revenue - Expenses) x tax rate
Projects needed = Revenue / Average project price (rounded up)Example
To keep 4,000 a month with 800 in expenses and a 25% tax rate you must bill about 6,133. At 1,500 per project that is 5 projects a month, with roughly 1,333 set aside for tax.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the revenue so much higher than my take-home goal?
Because taxes and business expenses come out of your revenue before you take any income home. The gap between revenue and take-home pay is often large.
What tax rate should I use?
Use a realistic percentage of your profit that includes income tax and any social contributions. Rates differ by country and income level, so ask an accountant if unsure.
Does this include late-paying clients?
No. It assumes you are paid within the month you bill. If clients pay late, keep a cash buffer.
How do I find my average project price?
Divide your total revenue from recent months by the number of projects or clients you completed in that time.
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice, and real-world results depend on your local rules, contract and circumstances.