One of the most common questions photographers ask is: how much should photographers save for taxes? And honestly, it’s a good question because guessing your way through tax planning is stressful, expensive, and completely avoidable.
If you’ve heard numbers like 20%, 25%, or even 30% tossed around, you might be wondering which one actually applies to your business. The truth is, there’s no single magic number, but there is a smart range, and understanding why that range exists makes tax planning far less intimidating.
Why 20–30% Is the Most Common Tax Savings Range
Most photographers fall somewhere in the 20–30% range of profit when saving for taxes. This generally covers:
- Federal income tax
- Self-employment tax (about 15.3%)
- State taxes (depending on where you live)
The key detail many photographers miss is this: taxes are based on profit, not total revenue. What’s left after business expenses is what gets taxed. Which is why accurate bookkeeping matters so much.
How Much Photographers Should Save Based on Their Business Stage
If you’re wondering how much photographers should save for taxes, your answer depends on where you’re at:
- Part-time photographers often land closer to 20–25%, especially if they also have W-2 income where taxes are already withheld.
- Full-time photographers typically aim for 25–30%, since photography income is their primary source and no taxes are withheld automatically.
- Growing studios may need to save 30% or more, depending on income level, state taxes, and overall profitability.
As income grows, tax planning becomes less about reacting and more about strategy.
How to Save for Taxes Without Feeling Overwhelmed
The simplest way to stay ahead? Save as income comes in. Many photographers either:
- move a percentage of every client payment into a separate tax savings account, or
- automate weekly or monthly transfers
When saving becomes routine, taxes stop feeling like a surprise and start feeling manageable.
Want Real Examples?
If you want a full breakdown with real numbers and scenarios, I walk through it step-by-step in this video below.
Understanding how much photographers should save for taxes isn’t about fear; it’s about building a business that feels calm, sustainable, and in control.
XOXO ~ Heather
Few things make me more excited than getting the chance to help another photographer prepare for an easier tax season. So, don’t forget to snag the 15 Business Tax Category Breakdowns.
Let’s Prep for Tax Season – Together
Keep more of what you make inside of your business with these 5 key deductions for photographers. I’m sharing all inside of my free class — Maximizing Your Tax Deductions as a Photographer!
Make tracking your numbers easy with my Tax Prep Spreadsheet and ensure that tax season is a breeze.
Transform your passion into a thriving business and unlock success for your photography business with my free guide to setting goals for the first year of your photography business.
Mastering your business taxes starts with understanding the different tax categories. Grab my free tax category guide to take the first step towards stress-free taxes today.
Want taxes to suck less? Learn how to correctly prepare your taxes for your accountant with the Photographer Tax Course – and say hello to a confident and calm tax season!
Don’t know what you don’t know? You’re just 90 minutes from a custom tax prep system with my 1:1 Tax Prep Mentoring sessions!
More Tax Tips for Photographers:
The Best Apps for Photographers to Track Business Expenses
Understanding Amortization for Photographers
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