Profit-Leak Audit
The reason a "profitable" store stays broke. See every hidden cost — employer tax, card fees, NNN load, platform fees, shrink — in one view, and the total $ and % of revenue they quietly take.
This calculator provides estimates for educational use only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures are based on current IRS rules — verify against IRS.gov or consult a licensed professional. See our full disclaimer.
Hidden-Cost Inputs
Profit-Leak Audit
* Many "profitable on paper" stores fail here. These costs often sit outside the simple P&L. Employer FICA is a labeled default; confirm your actual rates. Educational reference, not advice.
What This Calculator Tells You
Every Leak, Listed
The usual suspects in one place, with dollar amounts.
Total $ & % of Revenue
The combined hit to your margin.
Find the Biggest
Sort mentally by size; fix the largest first.
Plain-English Verdict
Contained, noticeable, or severe.
Authoritative References
- IRS — Small Business & Self-Employed — employer payroll tax references.
- Hidden-cost ranges (NNN load 20-40%, card 1.5-3.5%, shrink 1-2%) retrieved 2026-08-13, documented in our diagnosis guides.
Estimates only. Employer FICA 7.65% is a labeled default; confirm actual rates. Not financial advice.
Profit-Leak FAQs
A cost that sits outside the simple P&L and quietly erodes net — employer payroll tax, card fees, NNN lease load above base rent, platform fees, shrink, and small recurring permits/fees. Each is small; together they can exceed a thin margin.
Because these leaks are rarely all in one place. A store netting 5% can lose most of it to costs it never modeled. The audit puts them in one view.
Employer payroll tax (FICA 7.65% plus SUTA/FUTA/workers comp) on top of wages is the one most often omitted — it is real cost the business must cover.