Free tool · Tax year 2026
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate your 2026 self-employment tax and federal income tax in seconds. Built for freelancers, 1099 contractors, and solopreneurs — free, no signup, and your numbers never leave your browser.
| Net profit (income − expenses) | |
| Net earnings subject to SE tax (× 92.35%) | |
| Social Security portion (12.4%, capped at $184,500 wage base) | |
| Medicare portion (2.9%) | |
| Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%) | |
| Deduction for ½ of SE tax | |
| Estimated QBI deduction (20%) | |
| Standard deduction | |
| Taxable income | |
| Effective tax rate on net profit |
Set aside of every payment to cover federal taxes, and plan for a quarterly estimated payment of about . Fine-tune your quarterly payments →
Estimate only. This calculator covers federal self-employment and income tax using the 2026 standard deduction and a simplified QBI deduction. It does not include state taxes, tax credits, itemized deductions, or QBI phase-out rules for high earners. It is not tax advice — confirm your numbers with a tax professional.
How this calculator works
Every figure comes straight from IRS rules for tax year 2026:
- Net profit = self-employment income − business expenses (Schedule C).
- Net earnings = net profit × 92.35% (Schedule SE).
- Social Security tax = 12.4% of net earnings, up to the $184,500 wage base. W-2 wages you earn use up the wage base first.
- Medicare tax = 2.9% of all net earnings, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married filing jointly).
- Income tax — we subtract half your SE tax, the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married filing jointly / $24,150 head of household), and a simplified 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction, then apply the 2026 federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
2026 self-employment tax at a glance
| Component | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 12.4% | First $184,500 of combined wages + net earnings |
| Medicare | 2.9% | All net earnings |
| Additional Medicare Tax | 0.9% | Earnings above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (MFJ) |
| Combined base rate | 15.3% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% in 2026: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. The Social Security portion applies only to the first $184,500 of combined wages and net self-employment earnings. High earners also pay an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
How much of my self-employment income is taxed?
Only 92.35% of your net profit (income minus business expenses) is subject to self-employment tax. This adjustment on Schedule SE accounts for the employer-equivalent portion of the tax.
Do I have to pay self-employment tax if I also have a W-2 job?
Yes, but your W-2 wages count toward the $184,500 Social Security wage base first. If your wages already exceed the cap, you only owe the 2.9% Medicare portion on your freelance earnings. Enter your W-2 wages in the calculator to see this reflected.
Can I deduct half of my self-employment tax?
Yes. You can deduct the employer-equivalent half of your Social Security and Medicare self-employment tax as an above-the-line deduction on Form 1040. This calculator applies that deduction automatically when estimating your income tax.
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?
Most freelancers should set aside 25–35% of net income for federal taxes, depending on income level and filing status. This calculator gives you a personalized percentage based on your actual numbers, and remember to add your state income tax on top.