Case File No. TBA-002 Confidential · Take-Home Analysis
Evidence

The Backend Architect

What Do I Actually
Take Home?

The real number — after every layer gets peeled back.

01
Start Gross Revenue
$
Total of all client invoices before anything is taken out
02
Layer 1 Business Expenses
$
$
$
$
VAs, designers, subcontractors — anyone you pay to do work
$
General liability, E&O / professional liability
$
Meta ads, LinkedIn ads, paid promotion
$
Bar associations, industry groups, trade orgs
$
Enter the full amount — calculator applies the 50% rule automatically
$
Flights, hotels, client mileage — 100% deductible
$
100% deductible as self-employed — reduces your federal taxable income
03
Layer 2–4 Tax Rates
Rate auto-filled — override below if needed
%
Auto-filled from state — edit to override
%
Default 15.3%
%
Your marginal bracket
04
Deductions Tax Deductions That Work In Your Favor

These reduce your taxable income before the IRS calculates what you owe. Toggle on any you qualify for.

SE tax deduction (50% of SE tax) — always applies –
Self-employed health insurance deduction — always applies –
Home office deduction –
$
%
Solo 401(k) or SEP-IRA contribution –
$
Fully deductible — max Solo 401(k) is $23,500/yr employee + 25% net profit employer in 2025
Professional development & courses –
$
Business use of personal vehicle –
mi
IRS standard mileage rate: $0.70/mile (2025)
$
Leave blank to use mileage × $0.70
Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction — 20% of net profit Most solopreneurs qualify. Almost nobody knows this exists. It can save you thousands. –
Your Layered Breakdown — Monthly
Gross revenue
$0
Business expenses
tools + subscriptions + other
–$0
Net profit (before tax)
$0
Self-employment tax (15.3%)
Both halves — your employer used to pay half
–$0
Federal income tax
after SE deduction + health insurance
–$0
State income tax
~5%
–$0
What you actually take home
$0
05
Quarterly Set This Aside — Before You Spend It

Unlike corporate, taxes aren't withheld automatically. These are your estimated payments to avoid IRS penalties.

Q1
Due Apr 15
$0
Q2
Due Jun 16
$0
Q3
Due Sep 15
$0
Q4
Due Jan 15
$0
Move to a tax savings account every month → $0 / mo
Your Backend Architect Score
Effective tax rate: — · Take-home margin: —

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Estimates only. This is not tax advice. Consult a CPA for your actual situation.
SE tax applies to 92.35% of net profit per IRS rules. Federal tax is applied to net profit after the 50% SE deduction, health insurance deduction, and any additional deductions you've toggled on.