Set money aside for taxes before it bites you

The most common gut-punch for a new owner is a tax bill for money they've already spent. Nobody withholds taxes for you now — that's your job. The fix is a boring habit that quietly saves your business: every time you get paid, move a slice aside and don't touch it.

Do this

1. As a rough rule of thumb, set aside 25–30% of every payment for taxes — confirm your real number with a tax pro.
2. Move it the day you get paid, into a separate savings account you pretend doesn't exist.
3. Find out whether you owe quarterly estimated taxes — most self-employed people do.
4. Talk to a tax pro once. It's cheap insurance against an expensive surprise.

The set-aside rule

Treat the taxman as a silent partner who gets paid first:

You get paid $1,000 → move $250–300 to "Taxes" savings → spend the rest.

Do it every single time and the yearly bill is already sitting there waiting — no scramble, no dread, no borrowing to cover it.

Two things worth a one-time chat with a tax pro: • Your real set-aside percentage (it depends on your income and state) • Whether you must pay quarterly (miss these and penalties add up)