Quick answer
Small Business Cash Flow Planner: what it calculates
Small Business Cash Flow Planner estimates adjusted cash, monthly net cash, runway, 30/60/90 day cash, tax reserve, and six-month reserve gap from the cash timing inputs you enter.
Business Calculators
Small Business Cash Flow Planner
Use this small business cash flow planner to check bank-balance runway, tax reserve, receivables, payables, owner draw, and near-term cash timing.
Formula checked May 25, 2026Source note includedPlanning estimate
ResultSmall business cash flow read
InputsStarting cash, Monthly revenue, Monthly expenses, Owner draw, Tax reserve percent, Accounts receivable, Accounts payable, One-time costs
FormulaCash flow planner formula
Live planner
Small business cash flow
Cash flow statusWatch cash
-$880 monthly net cash after draw and tax reserve.
Adjusted cash$42,500
Starting cash plus receivables, minus payables and one-time costs.
Runway48.3 months
$24,880 modeled monthly outflow.
6-month reserve gap$106,780
$149,280 target reserve.
Use this as a cash timing check
Cash flow is not the same as accounting profit. Collections, payables, taxes, owner draws, one-time bills, seasonality, and payment timing can move the actual bank balance.
Cash runway preview
| Checkpoint | Estimated cash |
|---|---|
| Now, adjusted | $42,500 |
| After 30 days | $41,620 |
| After 60 days | $40,740 |
| After 90 days | $39,860 |
| Monthly tax reserve | $2,880 |
Use this for planning and comparison. Contracts, accounting treatment, taxes, collections, refunds, and local rules can change the final business decision.
Formula
Cash flow planner formula
Adjusted cash = starting cash + accounts receivable - accounts payable - one-time costs; monthly net cash = revenue - expenses - owner draw - tax reserveThis is a cash-timing planner, not an accounting profit statement.
How to use
Steps
- Enter current bank cash and expected monthly revenue.
- Add monthly expenses, owner draw, and a tax reserve percentage.
- Enter accounts receivable, accounts payable, and one-time costs due soon.
- Review adjusted cash, monthly net cash, runway, 30/60/90 day cash, and reserve gap.
Example
Sample calculation
Starting cash$42,000
Monthly revenue$24,000
Monthly expenses plus draw$22,000
StatusCash growing
Calculator use
Best for
- Checking near-term cash flow from bank cash, monthly revenue, expenses, owner draw, taxes, receivables, and payables.
- Estimating 30, 60, and 90 day cash before hiring, spending, borrowing, or taking a larger owner draw.
- Separating cash timing from accounting profit so delayed collections and upcoming bills stay visible.
- Planning a reserve gap before seasonality, slow invoices, tax payments, or one-time costs hit.
Before relying on it
Check first
- Treating booked revenue, invoices sent, or accounting profit as cash already available.
- Leaving out owner draw, estimated taxes, payroll timing, refunds, inventory, debt payments, or annual bills.
- Assuming receivables will be collected on time without checking customer payment behavior.
- Using a positive month as proof that the next quarter is safe when seasonality or one-time costs are coming.
Details
What to know before using the result
These notes make the assumptions explicit, especially where the same search query can mean slightly different things.
Cash timingReceivables and payables
Sales are not the same as cash in the bank if customers pay later or bills are due sooner.
Owner drawPersonal cash need
Owner draw can make a profitable business feel cash-tight when it is not included in planning.
Tax reserveSet aside cash
Self-employed owners often need to reserve cash for estimated taxes instead of treating all revenue as spendable.
Benchmarks
How to read the result
The calculator is a decision aid, not a fixed rule. Use the output to compare scenarios and document your assumptions. Benchmark ranges are broad planning heuristics unless this page names a specific source for the range.
Positive net cashCash growing
A broad planning signal that monthly revenue covers expenses, owner draw, and tax reserve.
Under 6 monthsTight runway
If monthly net cash is negative, less than six months of runway deserves closer planning.
Six-month reserveBuffer target
A broad operating reserve benchmark, not a rule for every business model.
Calculator accuracy
Methodology and assumptions
The formula, inputs, example, and limitations are shown so the result is checkable, not just a number in a box.
Formula
Adjusted cash = starting cash + accounts receivable - accounts payable - one-time costs; monthly net cash = revenue - expenses - owner draw - tax reserve
Inputs used
Starting cash, Monthly revenue, Monthly expenses, Owner draw, Tax reserve percent, Accounts receivable, Accounts payable, One-time costs
Limitations
Business results depend on contracts, accounting treatment, taxes, payment timing, refunds, churn, and operating assumptions.
Last reviewed
May 25, 2026
Cite this page
Toolkit Shelf. Small Business Cash Flow Planner. Retrieved May 25, 2026, from https://toolkitshelf.com/tools/small-business-cash-flow-planner
FAQ
Common questions
How do I plan small business cash flow?
Start with bank cash, add expected collections, subtract payables and one-time costs, then compare monthly revenue with expenses, owner draw, and tax reserve.
Is cash flow the same as profit?
No. Profit follows accounting rules, while cash flow tracks when money enters and leaves the bank account.
Why include accounts receivable and payable?
Receivables and payables change cash timing. A business can look profitable while still running short if customers pay late or bills come due first.
Does this replace bookkeeping or accounting advice?
No. It is a planning estimate. Taxes, payroll, debt, inventory, accounting treatment, legal requirements, and payment timing can change the real answer.
Can this replace accounting or legal advice?
No. Business calculators are scenario tools. Contracts, taxes, payment timing, accounting treatment, refunds, and legal requirements can change decisions.
What should I do after using a business calculator?
Save the assumptions, compare a conservative scenario, and review the result with actual books, contracts, or an advisor before making a high-stakes decision.