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How Much Tax Should I Set Aside? - Free Tax Percentage Calculator

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Free Tax Percentage Calculator

How much tax should I set aside?

Running a business? Then you know the taxman waits for no one.
One of the most common questions we hear:

“How much of my income should I set aside for tax?”

That’s why we built our Free Tax Percentage Calculator – a quick and simple way to get an estimated % of your turnover to stash away for tax.

How much tax should I set aside? 2025/26

England and Wales, simple estimates, no VAT. Headline shows a total and the % of turnover.

Total sales before any costs
Business costs excluding your drawings
Keeps the bands right if you have salary or rental income
From 2025/26 most self‑employed do not pay Class 2, but some choose to pay it voluntarily.
Total sales before any costs
All business costs except director salaries and dividends
Enter gross salary per director
We assume directors' shares are split evenly.
If ‘Yes’, we’ll reduce employer NI by up to £10,500

Why use it?

Our calculator gives you a ballpark figure of what to save, helping you:

  • Avoid nasty surprises from HMRC
  • Get a realistic % of your income to put aside
  • Stay in control of your cashflow

It’s not about precision – it’s about peace of mind.

Who’s it for?

✅ Sole traders wanting a quick tax estimate
✅ Limited company directors budgeting for salary, dividends + corporation tax
✅ Freelancers and contractors planning ahead
✅ Small business owners who don’t like tax surprises

📍 Based in Sidcup or Bexleyheath? You’ll find this especially handy.

What’s included?

Based on 2025/26 rates (England + Wales), we’ve factored in:

  • Income Tax
  • National Insurance (Class 2 + 4 for sole traders; employer/employee for companies)
  • Corporation Tax
  • Dividend Tax (if relevant)

What’s not included?

We’ve kept it simple – this calculator doesn’t include:

  • VAT
  • Student loans or pensions
  • Unequal shareholder splits
  • R&D tax relief or capital allowances
  • Rental income, savings or other personal income
  • Timing of income and expenses

So if your setup is more complex, we recommend a personal review.

💡 Pro Tip: Make your tax money work harder

Once you’ve got your estimated percentage, don’t just let it sit there.

  • Park it in a high-interest savings account to earn while you wait
  • Or pay HMRC early and potentially earn a little interest back

Just remember: rules change, and your actual tax may vary. Always double-check with your accountant.

Disclaimer

This tool gives a rough guide only. It’s based on general tax rules – not your unique situation.

You are responsible for your own taxes, not Blue Rocket Accounting.
We recommend sharing your records with your accountant as soon as your tax year ends. Ready for tailored advice?

The calculator is a great starting point – but if you want:

  • A proper tax review
  • Help spotting legal savings
  • Support meeting deadlines

Call Blue Rocket Accounting to discuss your tax-saving strategy today.

 Want to Explore More About Your Tax?

We think you’ll find the below blogs helpful as well.

For further information, please feel free to download the resource below:

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