How should I categorise funds set aside for future taxes?

tomorrow

I'm a freelancer in Belgium, and the general take here is that for every paid invoice I should set aside 50% of it, that will end up in state taxes and national security/pension funds.

I opened at my bank a checkings and a savings account, and every time I get paid I transfer 50% of the sum to the savings. Once tax season comes up, I use those funds to pay the due taxes. Now, how should I categorise this in Wave?

At the moment I have my savings account under Assets/Cash and Bank. But is it actually a liability? If so, under which sub-category should it go, just "Other Short-Term Liability"?

Final related question: How do I register and categorise a tax payment when the time comes?

Thank you!

Mikeg

Greetings from the US
You are fine to leave it as an asset, which that what it is. There is no offsetting liability by merely setting aside cash for taxes. If you do want to post a liability for anticipated taxes then you would debit tax expense (income statement) and credit Income Taxes Payable (liability). Example: You have earned 200 and have a 50% rate. No other activity and no expenses. Your entry would be Debit Tax expense 100 credit taxes payable. Debit Savings 100 credit Cash 100. Your financials would look like:
Assets
Cash 100
Savings 100
Total 200
Liabilities
Taxes Payable 100
Equity
Current earnings 100
Total 200
Income
Sales 200
Expenses
Tax expense 100

If you are required to pay estimated taxes to the government then instead of a savings account, you would have a prepaid tax account (short term asset). This is accrual accounting.
Mike G, CPA

tomorrow

Thank you @Mikeg, super clear!

Mikeg

Your welcome

SMLLCSCorp

Hi @Mikeg,

Thanks for your explanation. I follow the assets, liabilities, expenses bit, but I'm fuzzy on where specifically to create each of the chart of accounts. Is this what you mean:

Assets/Other Short Term Assets - Prepaid Tax Account
Liabilities & Credit Cards/Other Short Term Liabilities - Taxes Payable
Expenses/Operating Expenses - Tax Expense

I'm paying taxes as a sole proprietor in the US.

Kathy

Mikeg

Kathy,
As a US sole proprietor, federal and state income taxes are not deductible on Schedule C. Payments from your business account for estimated taxes should be classified as an owner draw.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Mike G, CPA
www.mgfinancial.net