**Formula sketch:** `(target net + income tax + USC + PRSI + insurance) / billable days`.
Sole trader tax calculator Ireland — day-rate floor
If you searched sole trader tax calculator Ireland, this page backsolves the freelance day rate that holds your PAYE net after USC, PRSI Class S, and typical costs—same Irish stack as [PAYE vs sole trader](/ie/).
Inside the rate
Income tax + USC + PRSI Class S Professional indemnity (€600–€1,500/yr) Accounting (€800–€2,000/yr)
Sole trader vs limited company in Ireland — which structure?
As a sole trader in Ireland, you pay income tax, USC, and PRSI Class S on all profits. There is no corporate tax layer — what you earn is taxed directly in your hands. This is simple to set up and run (no Companies Registration Office filing, no audit), but you carry unlimited personal liability and cannot split income across salary and dividend as a limited company director can.
A limited company (Ltd) pays Corporation Tax at 12.5% on trading profits, then you extract income as a salary (taxed at PAYE rates) or dividends (taxed at your marginal rate). The tax deferral on retained profits can be significant above ~€80,000–€100,000 net profit per year. Below that threshold, the overhead of annual returns, Companies Registration Office fees, and accountancy costs (typically €3,000–€5,000/year for a Ltd vs €1,000–€2,000 for sole trader) often outweighs the tax benefit. Use the calculator above for sole trader first; if your break-even revenue exceeds €100,000, model the Ltd route with your accountant.
Both structures require VAT registration once taxable turnover exceeds €37,500 (services) or €75,000 (goods) per year. At €500/day × 176 days = €88,000 — most Irish contractors hit the services threshold in year one. Factor VAT cash-flow (quarterly returns) into your rate modelling from day one.
Typical Ireland day rates 2026 — Dublin & Cork
These are market benchmarks for B2B sole trader contracts in Ireland. Use the calculator above to back-solve your personal minimum — market rates are only useful once you know your floor.
| Profession | Dublin €/day | Cork €/day |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer (senior) | €700–1,000 | €550–800 |
| IT project manager | €600–850 | €500–700 |
| Data / BI analyst | €600–800 | €500–650 |
| UX / product designer | €550–750 | €450–600 |
| Finance / accounting | €600–850 | €500–700 |
| HR / change consultant | €500–700 | €400–600 |
| Marketing consultant | €450–650 | €380–550 |
Rates are ex-VAT, outside-IR35 equivalent, sole trader structure. Below ~€500–600/day in Dublin, fixed costs (USC, PRSI Class S, insurance, accountancy) start dominating — model your specific break-even before negotiating.
Links
[IE calculator](/ie/) · [Freelance vs PAYE](/ie/freelance-vs-paye)
How we calculate your break-even rate
From target net we add income tax, USC, PRSI Class S, accounting + insurance, then divide by billable days (often 176 = 220 × 80%).
If you only bill 140 days, multiply revenue needs by 176 ÷ 140. Employer PRSI is the hidden comparator for negotiations.
Typical Ireland day rates (2025/2026, EUR)
Dublin-heavy B2B; med-tech and finance sit high.
| Industry | Junior (0-3y) | Mid (3-7y) | Senior (7+y) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | €450-700 | €700-1,100 | €1,100-1,800 |
| Design / UX | €400-650 | €650-1,000 | €1,000-1,500 |
| Consulting | €550-850 | €850-1,400 | €1,400-2,600 |
| Marketing | €350-550 | €550-850 | €850-1,300 |
| Finance | €450-700 | €700-1,100 | €1,100-1,700 |
Your rate must replace **employer PRSI**, **benefits**, and **paid leave**.
What to say when clients push back on your rate
Anchor on employer PRSI (~11%) plus benefits—PAYE gross understates loaded cost.
Script: “The day rate covers USC/PRSI Class S, insurance, and pipeline risk. If budget is fixed, we trim scope or phase.”
Day vs hour: prefer day; hourly with weekly minimum.
VAT: quote ex-VAT; show VAT on invoices when registered.
FAQ
It is a tool that works backwards from your target take-home pay to the gross revenue (and day rate) you need as a sole trader — accounting for income tax, USC, PRSI Class S, and fixed costs like accounting and insurance. This calculator does exactly that: enter your current PAYE net or target net, adjust billable days, and it outputs the minimum revenue and day rate you need to match it. The default is 176 billable days (220 working days × 80% utilisation).
Day for delivery; hourly with caps.
Enter revenue excluding VAT; VAT is cash-flow, not salary.
Include employer PRSI and benefits in the mental benchmark.
5-10% for guaranteed days/month can work.
Annually minimum; 10-15% when booked 6+ months ahead.
Below ~€500–600/day in Dublin, fixed costs dominate—model yours.
Enter revenue excluding VAT if registered; our model ignores VAT cash timing.