Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Free self-employment tax calculator for 1099 workers and freelancers: Social Security and Medicare, income tax, the QBI deduction and quarterly estimated payments.
Dependents, age and deductions
What it does
Self-employed people and 1099 contractors pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare as self-employment tax: 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit, with Social Security stopping at the yearly wage base. Half of it is deductible, and the qualified business income deduction can take up to 20% of the profit off your taxable income. Since nobody withholds tax from your pay, the IRS expects estimated payments four times a year; this calculator shows the total for the year and each quarterly payment.
How to use it
- Choose your filing status and, if you want, your state.
- Type your income for the year: wages from your W-2, self-employment profit and other income.
- Add the tax already withheld or paid and, under the details, dependents, age and deductions.
The arithmetic runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere and nothing is stored, so you can use these with real numbers. This is an estimate for most wage earners and freelancers; it does not cover capital gains rates, the alternative minimum tax, the net investment income tax or education and energy credits.
Frequently asked questions
How is self-employment tax calculated?
Net profit is multiplied by 92.35%, and that amount pays 12.4% for Social Security (only up to the yearly wage base, minus any W-2 wages) and 2.9% for Medicare. Below $400 of net earnings there is no self-employment tax. Half of the tax is deducted from your income.
What is the QBI deduction?
The qualified business income deduction lets owners of sole proprietorships and pass-through businesses deduct up to 20% of their business profit, limited to 20% of taxable income. Above an income threshold it is reduced; for service businesses, and for businesses without employees or property, it phases out completely — that is how this calculator treats it.
Why is my refund different from last year?
A refund is only the difference between the tax withheld and paid during the year and the tax you owe. A raise, a second job, freelance income without estimated payments, a child turning 17 or a change in your W-4 all change it, even when the tax rates stay the same.
Which new deductions are included?
From 2025 to 2028: up to $25,000 of qualified tips, up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) of the extra half of qualified overtime pay — both reduced above $150,000 of income ($300,000 joint) — and $6,000 for each person aged 65 or older, reduced above $75,000 ($150,000 joint). They are taken in addition to the standard deduction.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
For income earned in 2026, the payments are due on April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. You can pay them through IRS Direct Pay or your IRS online account.
🇺🇸 US Income Tax Calculator
💵 Tax Refund Calculator
🇺🇸 Paycheck Calculator
IRS — Form 1040
IRS — Self-employment tax
IRS — Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026)