Taxes7 min · Updated Sep 2026
How much to set aside before the bill arrives
Tax surprises are usually timing surprises. Build the reserve as money comes in.
Treat tax like a cost of sales, not an annual shock. When money lands, move a percentage into a separate tax pot the same day or week.
The right percentage depends on your structure and local rules. If you are unsure, ask your accountant for a working rate and review it quarterly.
Do not leave the reserve in the operating account. Seeing a large balance tempts spending that is already spoken for.
Keep a one-line note of what you have set aside and for which period. That note saves arguments with yourself in filing season.
This guide is practical orientation, not personal tax advice. Use it to ask better questions of a qualified adviser.
