The free tool 'It's Good to Be a Craftsman' allows you to estimate obligations and compare taxation models. For over 77,000 lump-sum craftsmen, there will be no increase in contributions, while for others, the burden has been eased.
The Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) launched a free online calculator called "It's Good to Be a Craftsman" on Monday, August 3, 2026. The tool is designed to help craftsmen estimate, in one place, the amounts of taxes and contributions they can expect from January 1, 2027, when the proposed tax changes take effect.
The calculator was developed by the HOK Accountants Section. It incorporates estimated contribution amounts for the coming year, based on expected growth in bases, as well as new tax amounts according to the proposal currently in public consultation until August 30. Beyond simply calculating obligations, the tool also offers what every entrepreneur cares about most: the final amount left after all contributions.
"In addition to calculating taxes and contributions, this calculator shows craftsmen how much they will actually have left after all contributions in each business model, which is what every craftsman cares about most. Only when you have that information can you responsibly decide which business model is most favorable for you," said Dalibor Kratohvil, President of HOK.
HOK particularly emphasizes that during negotiations, they managed to secure that over 77,000 lump-sum craftsmen will not see an increase in taxes and contributions. According to data from Glas Istre, this represents 85 percent of lump-sum craftsmen who will continue operating under the same tax conditions. For all other craftsmen outside the lump-sum system, the initially proposed burdens have been eased.
"In this process, we fought to ensure that over 77,000 lump-sum craftsmen will not see an increase in taxes and contributions, and for all others, the initially proposed burdens have been eased. We will continue to advocate for additional improvements in the two highest brackets during the legislative process, while also wanting to provide craftsmen with answers to numerous questions about how the presented tax changes will affect their business," Kratohvil said in a statement.
The tool allows craftsmen to compare different taxation models based on their own data on expected income and expenses, and choose the most profitable one. For example, the calculator can show whether it is more profitable for a craftsman with high expenses to switch to the income tax system with business books, noting that in that case, it is not necessary to become a VAT payer.
The "It's Good to Be a Craftsman" calculator is available free of charge to all interested craftsmen, and its calculations provide an estimate of obligations that will apply from January 1, 2027. The public consultation on the tax changes themselves runs until August 30, 2026.
