Tax tools
Run the numbers before you call
Quick estimates built around the questions restaurant owners, grocers and families ask us most. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Estimates for illustration only, using simplified federal rules. Not tax advice — your actual result depends on your full situation.
Tip credit estimator
See how much of the employer FICA you pay on tips could come back as a credit.
The credit equals 7.65% of tips above the amount needed to bring pay up to $5.15 an hour (Form 8846).
Estimated tip credit
$14,504
per year
- Creditable tips
- $189,600
- Tips used to reach $5.15/hr
- $60,400
Missed it in prior years? Credits for open years can often be claimed on amended returns.
S-Corp savings estimator
Compare self-employment tax as a sole owner with payroll taxes on a reasonable salary.
Salary must be reasonable for the work you do — we help you document it.
Uses the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500. Excludes income-tax effects and state taxes.
Estimated annual savings
$5,275
per year
Estimated tax planner
Find a safe-harbor quarterly payment and the dates it's due.
Safe harbor: pay the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's (110% if AGI was over $150,000).
Suggested quarterly payment
$7,500
Based on last year's tax — the lower safe harbor
Due dates
- Q1Apr 15, 2026
- Q2Jun 15, 2026
- Q3Sep 15, 2026
- Q4Jan 15, 2027
- Safe-harbor amount for the year
- $30,000
Prime cost check
See where food, beverage and labor costs put your restaurant against common benchmarks.
Prime cost = food & beverage cost + total labor, as a share of sales. Benchmarks vary by concept.
Prime cost
63.8%
Watch closely
- Food & beverage cost
- 32.5%
- Labor
- 31.3%
Between about 60% and 65%, small price or scheduling changes can protect your margin.
Document checklist
Tick what applies and get a personalized list of what to bring.
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