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Osnaživanje, stil i inspiracija spajaju se u svakom izdanju našeg magazina.
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June 29, 2026
When bookkeeping or setting up a limited liability company is mentioned, one of the first questions people ask is: How will I actually access the money?
One of the first practical questions women entrepreneurs ask when moving from lump-sum taxation to keeping business books is precisely this: How can I use the money my business earns?
Can you simply withdraw money from the business account? Should you pay yourself a salary? How much tax will you owe? And what is the smartest long-term solution?
For sole proprietors taxed under the lump-sum regime, the relationship with business finances is relatively straightforward. For entrepreneurs who keep business books, however, things become more complex.
The money in your business account cannot simply be spent as if it were a personal bank account.
So, how can you access it?
The answer depends on several factors: how much your business earns, how stable your income is, whether you plan to apply for loans, how much you reinvest in the business, and which financial model best supports your long-term goals.
This is not a magical way to access cash instantly. Rather, it is a system designed to provide you with a regular monthly income for personal expenses.
Simply put, you pay yourself a salary every month.
Taxes and social security contributions are paid on this amount in the same way they are for any other salary. For sole proprietors who keep business books, any profit remaining after business expenses and tax obligations may generally be used without additional dividend tax.
For limited liability companies (LLCs), however, additional taxation on distributed profits is mandatory.
Why is the entrepreneur’s salary model often a good option?
Because it introduces greater financial discipline.
When you determine in advance how much money you will allocate each month for personal spending, there is less risk that your business account will gradually become your personal wallet.
This makes it easier to plan taxes, monitor expenses, and determine how much money remains available for future business development.
This model may be particularly suitable if you:
However, the entrepreneur’s salary is not automatically the best solution for everyone.
If you are just starting your business, if your income fluctuates significantly, or if you reinvest most of your earnings back into the company, setting your salary too high may place unnecessary pressure on the business.
It is also important to understand that the amount of your declared salary has long-term consequences.
Many entrepreneurs choose to register the minimum possible salary in order to reduce taxes and contributions. However, this may later affect creditworthiness, sick leave compensation, maternity benefits, and future pension entitlements.
The goal should therefore not be to declare the lowest possible salary, but rather a salary that is realistically sustainable in relation to your company’s revenues.
Regardless of whether you pay yourself an entrepreneur’s salary, operate under the lump-sum regime, or keep business books, you are generally entitled to withdraw money from your business account without additional taxation—provided that all your obligations have been settled.
What does this mean in practice?
Before withdrawing money, you must first pay everything you owe to others: suppliers, contractors, employees, and the state.
For lump-sum entrepreneurs, these obligations usually consist primarily of taxes, social security contributions, and any outstanding liabilities toward suppliers.
For entrepreneurs who keep business books, the situation is somewhat more complex.
You must not only ensure that all liabilities have been paid, but also carefully monitor whether the amount you withdraw exceeds the profit generated in the previous year.
This is where your accountant becomes essential.
Your accountant should help you keep accurate records and ensure that you remain within the legally permitted limits.
As a practical recommendation, review your profit figures and total net income withdrawals at least twice a year.
As long as your recorded profit exceeds the amount you have withdrawn, you are generally operating within acceptable limits.
No additional tax is paid on these withdrawals because profit tax—currently 10% for sole proprietors keeping books—has already been paid through the annual tax calculation.
You may withdraw these funds either as cash or by transferring money to your personal bank account.
For withdrawals up to 150,000 RSD, supporting documentation is generally not required. For larger amounts, however, it is advisable to prepare a formal Entrepreneur’s Decision on Net Income Withdrawal, which is usually sufficient documentation for both the bank and your accounting records.
If you are transferring funds from your business account to your personal account, payment code 241 is typically used.
There is no universal answer.
Entrepreneurs with stable and predictable income often benefit from combining both approaches: paying themselves a regular entrepreneur’s salary while occasionally withdrawing additional net income when profits allow.
The right choice ultimately depends on your business model, growth plans, and personal financial goals.
This is precisely why regular consultations with an accountant are one of the best investments you can make in your business.
Photo: Pexels.com
