Cash flow forecast Excel template (12 months)
Forecast your liquidity 12 months ahead: expected income, fixed costs, VAT payments, tax reservation and month-end balance in one overview.
Most failing businesses are not unprofitable but illiquid: money comes in later than it goes out. With this free cash flow forecast for Excel you see 12 months ahead how your bank balance develops. Enter expected income and expenses per month — each month's closing balance automatically carries over as the next opening balance.
The expense rows are tailored to Dutch practice, including quarterly VAT payments, an income tax reservation and private withdrawals — the three items freelancers forget most often. A negative balance becomes visible months in advance.
What's inside?
- 12-month overview with running balances
- Predefined expense rows incl. VAT payments and tax reservation
- Automatic net cash flow and month-end balance
- Instructions with common freelancer mistakes
- Works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between profit and cash flow?
Profit is revenue minus costs on paper; cash flow is when money actually enters and leaves your account. A profitable business can go bankrupt because invoices are paid late — which makes a cash flow forecast indispensable.
How much should I reserve for income tax?
A rule of thumb for Dutch freelancers is to set aside 30–40% of profit, depending on deductions and bracket. Reserve monthly — the assessment arrives much later and hits hard.
How often should I update the forecast?
Monthly: replace last month's expected figures with actuals. The forecast becomes more reliable every month and deviations show immediately.
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