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Typical Small Business Operating Expenses

Source: Internal Revenue Service

This is data to help you determine whether your planned business is viable in respect to profitability. It will also help with established businesses to improve profitability by pin-pointing areas where costs and expenses deviate from the national norm. Industry averages of costs and expenses, and profitability based on IRS surveys are provided to compare with your actual figures. Average percentages shown are considered only as guidelines. When revenues are low, fixed expenses will probably be higher in relation to profits than when revenues are high. Also geographical location will affect these percentages. They should be used only as targets, and many successful businesses may deviate substantially. This is a tool to teach you to analyze your own figures and to assist in preparing your Business Plan.

Instructions: Check up to 6 business types and click "Compare". Scroll down to view results.