Stop guessing. Model your true freelance rate in 5 steps.
What do you want to take home after taxes? Be honest — this is your starting number.
Not all your working hours are billable. Most freelancers spend 30–40% on unpaid work.
Billable hours per year
1,352 hrs/yr(40 hrs/wk × 65% billable × 48 working weeks)
Every dollar you spend on your business must come from your clients.
Total annual business expenses
$8,200Self-employment tax is brutal. In the US it's 15.3% on top of income tax. Don't ignore it.