25 to 30 percent. That's the number most self-employed business owners need to set aside for taxes, but only if it actually makes it into a separate account the same day income clears. Here's the simple formula, the quarterly schedule, and the habit that prevents the April panic forever.

Standard money advice assumes a predictable paycheck. If your income changes every month, you need a different system. The baseline method builds your entire spending plan around your lowest earning month, uses a buffer account to smooth the ups and downs, and creates spending tiers so good months move you forward instead of disappearing. This post walks through every step with real numbers, research, and a practical example you can follow this week.