Calculator and decision guide
Is an s.r.o. worth it for me? The quick answer
Answer a few questions and you will see right away whether being a self-employed person (OSVČ / živnost) is sufficient for you, or whether a limited liability company (s.r.o.) is already worth it. For most small entrepreneurs with up to roughly 1–1.5 million Kč of profit per year, being an OSVČ works out simpler and often cheaper too. An s.r.o. typically starts to pay off above ~1.5–2 million Kč of profit, when you reinvest the profit into the company, have several partners, or do business in a high-risk field and need limited liability.
Calculate whether an s.r.o. is worth it
Enter your annual profit and how much you want to pay out to yourself. The calculator compares net income as an OSVČ and as an s.r.o. according to the 2026 rates.
Orientační výpočet podle sazeb roku 2026. Nenahrazuje výpočet daňového poradce. Ověřeno 2026.
How the decision works
There is no single "magic number" — the result depends on five axes: liability risk in your field, expected profit, whether you withdraw the money on an ongoing basis or reinvest it into the company, the number of partners, and the need for image with larger B2B contracts. The guide below works through these axes with you and recommends a form; the table then shows where the break-even point lies — that is, from what level of profit your net income in the form of an s.r.o. begins to make sense. All figures are verified for 2026 against official sources (the Tax Administration (Finanční správa), the Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ), the VZP health insurer and the Ministry of Finance (MF ČR)).
Decision guide: 4 questions → recommendation
- 1) What is your annual profit (income minus expenses)? Up to ~1.5 million Kč, an OSVČ is the more suitable choice; above ~1.5–2 million Kč, an s.r.o. starts to make sense — especially if you do not take all the profit out.
- 2) What is the liability risk in your field? An OSVČ is liable with their entire personal assets. High liabilities, supplier credit, risk of damages or employees → the limited liability of an s.r.o. (§ 132 et seq. of the Business Corporations Act, ZOK) is a strong argument.
- 3) Do you reinvest the profit into the company, or take the money out straight away? When you leave the profit in the company, the s.r.o. taxes it at "only" 21 % and you pay no withholding tax or contributions on the undistributed part. If you spend the money immediately, an OSVČ is simpler.
- 4) Do you do business alone, or with other partners? More partners → an s.r.o. (clear shares, transferability, memorandum of association). Solo and with no plan to sell the company → an OSVČ is enough.
- Recommendation: 0–1 factors for an s.r.o. → OSVČ; 2 or more factors for an s.r.o. → work out the numbers for an s.r.o. This is an indicative guide, not binding advice. Before changing form, have the numbers worked out by a tax adviser. → detail
Interactive calculator (coming soon)
A full-featured calculator, where you enter profit, the share of reinvestment and the number of partners and which works out your net income in both forms and the exact break-even point, is on the way. For now, the guide above and the model table below will serve you. The figures are verified for 2026; rates and limits may change during the year (see the notes by the amounts).
Break-even point: net income of an OSVČ vs. an s.r.o. by profit
| Annual profit | OSVČ — indicative burden | s.r.o. — indicative burden | What is more advantageous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500,000 Kč | Tax 15 % + social 29.2 % and health 13.5 % on the assessment base (55 % of profit), taxpayer credit of 30,840 Kč | Corporate income tax 21 % + 15 % withholding on the profit distribution = effective ~32.85 % + cost of an accountant | OSVČ — simpler and usually cheaper |
| 1,000,000 Kč | Still 15 % tax, contributions on the assessment base (55 % of profit); the flat-rate tax or lump-sum expense allowances are often advantageous | Double taxation ~32.85 % when the entire profit is paid out + mandatory double-entry bookkeeping | OSVČ in most cases |
| 1,500,000 Kč | Approaching the threshold of the 23 % rate (from 1,762,812 Kč/year); contributions are rising | If you reinvest part of the profit, you pay only 21 % on it with no withholding tax | Borderline — depends on reinvestment and risk |
| 2,000,000 Kč and more | Part of the profit falls into the 23 % rate + high contributions, the money is yours straight away | You leave the profit in the company at 21 %, paying out only what you need; limited liability and saleability | s.r.o. starts to pay off, especially with reinvestment |
A model comparison, not an exact calculation — the specific figures depend on the level of profit, tax credits, the tax regime and on how much money you actually pay out vs. leave in the company. OSVČ: personal income tax 15 % up to 1,762,812 Kč/year, 23 % above this threshold; the contribution assessment base = 55 % of profit, rates social 29.2 % and health 13.5 %. s.r.o.: corporate income tax 21 % on profit + 15 % withholding tax on the share of profit paid out to a natural person, i.e. effective taxation of the distributed profit ~32.85 %. Verified 2026 (Tax Administration, ČSSZ, VZP). Before deciding, have the numbers worked out by a tax adviser.
Minimum fixed contributions and costs for 2026 that are relevant to the decision
| Item | OSVČ (main activity) | s.r.o. |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up costs | 1,000 Kč administrative fee, registration within 5 working days | approx. 6,000–11,000 Kč (mandatory notary), typically 2–3 weeks |
| Registered capital | none | min. 1 Kč (§ 142 ZOK), in practice a higher amount is recommended |
| Min. social advance payment | 5,720 Kč/month (1–6/2026), from 7/2026 5,005 Kč — see note | from the managing director's remuneration; none is paid on the share of profit |
| Min. health advance payment | 3,306 Kč/month for the whole of 2026 | from the managing director's remuneration (top-up to the minimum); none is paid on the share of profit |
| Accounting | tax records or flat-rate — you can manage it yourself | mandatory double-entry bookkeeping (usually an external accountant) |
| Liability for debts | with your entire personal assets (unlimited) | limited — once the contribution is paid up, the partner is in principle not liable |
Min. social advance payment for an OSVČ: due to an amendment, the minimum assessment base is reverting from 40 % to 35 % of the average wage — advance payments are being reduced retroactively from January 2026, the overpayment for January–June (up to 4,290 Kč) is being returned and the lower advance of 5,005 Kč/month (715 Kč less) applies from July 2026 (MF ČR, ČSSZ — verified 2026). The health advance of 3,306 Kč/month applies for the whole year. For low profits there is also the flat-rate tax (band 1: 9,984 Kč/month until mid-2026, after the amendment approx. 9,162 Kč/month — verified 2026). The set-up costs of an s.r.o. are indicative and vary depending on the scope and use of an incorporation service.
You do not have to decide permanently
Most people start as an OSVČ for the simplicity and low costs and switch to an s.r.o. later, once the profit grows, they take on partners or need limited liability. Starting "light" and changing the form when it makes sense is a completely normal and safe approach.
Frequently asked questions
From what profit is it worth switching to an s.r.o.?
How does the taxation of an OSVČ and an s.r.o. differ?
What does limited liability mean for an s.r.o.?
How much does setting up an s.r.o. cost and how long does it take?
What are the minimum monthly contributions for an OSVČ in 2026?
Can I leave the profit from an s.r.o. in the company and not subject it to withholding tax?
Go through the full OSVČ vs. s.r.o. comparison
Before you decide, read the detailed comparison of both forms — liability, taxes, administration, taking money out and exactly when an s.r.o. is worth it.