Your Details
Income Goal
$
How much you want to take home per year
$
Software, equipment, office, insurance, etc.
%
Estimate your self-employment tax rate
Working Hours
52 weeks minus vacation & holidays (e.g. 48)
Actual client hours — not total work time
Profit & Buffer
%
Add a buffer for slow months and growth
Recommended Hourly Rate
$0
per hour
Minimum rate (break-even)
$0/hr
Annual billable hours
0 hrs
Revenue needed (gross)
$0
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Why billable hours matter
You work 40 hours a week, but you can't bill for all of it. Admin, marketing, and meetings eat up time. Most freelancers bill 60–75% of their working hours.
Don't forget taxes
As a self-employed person, you pay both employee and employer portions of social security and Medicare. Budget 25–35% for taxes depending on your location and income.
Always add a buffer
Clients cancel, projects slow down, and you'll take sick days. A 15–25% profit margin gives you breathing room and funds your business growth.