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Task Marketplace Net Earnings Estimator

This estimator shows what a task marketplace worker keeps after platform fees, direct work expenses, and a chosen tax reserve. It also converts the remaining amount into an effective hourly figure using total hours spent, which can reveal whether a seemingly attractive task actually pays well after friction. Use it to review a completed month, compare two platforms, or test a proposed workload before committing. The model keeps platform charges, operating expenses, and tax reserve separate so you can see which factor has the largest effect on take-home cash. The tax reserve is only a planning assumption and is not a calculation of tax due.

Marketplace earnings

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Result
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Estimated cash after reserve
Net before tax reserve—
Tax reserve—
Effective hourly cash—

1. Enter client revenue
Use the gross amount earned from tasks before the marketplace deducts its fee.

2. Apply the platform fee
Enter the effective fee percentage that applies to that revenue period.

3. Add work expenses
Enter direct operating costs you want charged against the same revenue, such as supplies, travel, or subcontracted help.

4. Set a tax reserve
Choose the percentage of positive net earnings you plan to set aside for taxes.

5. Include all time spent
Enter the total hours required to earn the revenue, including unpaid task-related time if you want a realistic effective hourly figure.

6. Review both net and hourly results
Use cash after reserve for cash-flow planning and effective hourly cash for comparing task types or platforms.

Formula:

Platform fee = Gross revenue × Fee % Net before reserve = Gross revenue − Platform fee − Direct expenses Tax reserve = max(Net before reserve, 0) × Reserve % Cash after reserve = Net before reserve − Tax reserve Effective hourly cash = Cash after reserve ÷ Total hours

The model applies the reserve only when net earnings before the reserve are positive.

What the result means

The main result estimates cash left after the entered platform fee, direct expenses, and planning tax reserve.

It does not include personal expenses or determine actual tax liability.

Given: $6,400 gross revenue, a 14% platform fee, $620 in direct expenses, a 23% tax reserve, and 108 total hours.

Calculation: Platform fee = $6,400 × 0.14 = $896. Net before reserve = $6,400 − $896 − $620 = $4,884. Tax reserve = $4,884 × 0.23 = $1,123.32. Cash after reserve = $3,760.68. Effective hourly cash = $3,760.68 ÷ 108 = $34.82/hour.

Result: Estimated cash after reserve is $3,760.68, or about $34.82 per total hour spent.

Should total hours include time spent finding tasks?

Include it if you want the hourly result to reflect the full time cost of earning the revenue. Excluding search and admin time will produce a higher effective hourly figure.

What happens if expenses exceed revenue after fees?

Net before reserve can become negative. In that case, the calculator sets the tax reserve to zero rather than applying a percentage to a loss.

Can I compare two platforms with this tool?

Yes. Run each platform separately using its own gross revenue, fee, expenses, and hours, then compare cash after reserve and effective hourly cash.

Are tips included in gross revenue?

Include any payments you want analyzed in the gross revenue field, provided you use a consistent basis across comparisons.

Does cash after reserve equal accounting profit?

Not necessarily. The tool only subtracts the costs you enter and a planning reserve; accounting and tax treatment may include other items.