Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Freelance and gig income arrives without any tax withheld, which makes it easy to treat as fully spendable — until the self-employment tax bill shows up. This calculator estimates that bill in advance, so you can set money aside as you earn instead of scrambling at filing time.
Enter your net income to see your estimated taxes.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your net self-employment income — your side-hustle or freelance revenue minus deductible business expenses.
- Select your filing status.
- Click "Estimate my taxes" to see self-employment tax and an estimated federal income tax on top.
Why it matters
When you're self-employed, you pay both the employee and employer share of Social Security and Medicare — 15.3% combined self-employment tax — in addition to regular federal income tax. Many freelancers and gig workers underestimate this and get caught short at tax time. Setting aside an estimate as you earn helps avoid a painful bill in April.
A worked example
Say you netted $45,000 in freelance income this year, filing single. The 15.3% self-employment tax alone comes to roughly $6,358, before federal income tax is even added on top. Seeing that combined number early — rather than discovering it at filing time — is usually what convinces freelancers to start setting aside a percentage of every payment as it arrives.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as net self-employment income?
Your gross revenue from freelance or gig work minus ordinary and necessary business expenses (supplies, mileage, home office, etc.). Keep records — this number matters for both self-employment tax and income tax.
Do I need to pay quarterly?
The IRS generally expects self-employed individuals who owe $1,000+ in tax to make quarterly estimated payments. This calculator gives you an annual estimate as a starting point — divide by 4 for a rough quarterly figure.
Can I deduct half of my self-employment tax?
Yes — this calculator already applies that deduction when estimating your federal income tax, matching how the IRS treats it.
Does this include state tax?
No, this covers federal self-employment tax and federal income tax only. Add your state's estimated tax separately.
What if I have both a job and freelance income?
Self-employment tax applies only to your freelance net income, not your W-2 wages — run the two separately and add them together for your full picture.
How does this compare to being an employee?
As an employee, your employer pays half of Social Security and Medicare for you. Self-employed, you cover both halves yourself — which is exactly why this tax feels heavier than a typical payroll deduction.
Is there a minimum income before I owe this tax?
Yes — the IRS generally requires self-employment tax once your net self-employment earnings reach $400 for the year, even if you were paid in cash and never received a 1099.
What expenses can lower what I owe?
Ordinary business expenses reduce your net income before this tax applies — common ones include mileage, home office costs, equipment, software subscriptions, and health insurance premiums. Keeping receipts throughout the year makes a real difference at tax time.
Learn more
Want the full walkthrough behind this calculator? These guides explain the rules and show worked examples:
- 2026 Self-Employment Tax Guide: Rates, Calculator Steps & Common Mistakes
- Freelance Tax Calculator 2026 – Calculate Your 1099 Taxes (Free)
Self-Employment Tax Chart for 2026
This chart shows the self-employment tax on common net income levels. Net income means freelance or business revenue minus deductible business expenses. The amounts below are self-employment tax only, not federal income tax.
| Net self-employment income | Self-employment tax | Deductible half | Per quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $2,825.91 | $1,412.96 | $706.48 |
| $30,000 | $4,238.87 | $2,119.43 | $1,059.72 |
| $40,000 | $5,651.82 | $2,825.91 | $1,412.96 |
| $50,000 | $7,064.78 | $3,532.39 | $1,766.19 |
| $60,000 | $8,477.73 | $4,238.87 | $2,119.43 |
| $75,000 | $10,597.16 | $5,298.58 | $2,649.29 |
| $100,000 | $14,129.55 | $7,064.78 | $3,532.39 |
How Self-Employment Tax Is Calculated
- Start with net earnings: your net self-employment income, such as $45,000.
- Multiply by 92.35%: this adjustment removes the employer-equivalent half of the tax from the base. $45,000 × 0.9235 = $41,557.50.
- Apply 15.3%: that is 12.4% for Social Security (on earnings up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500) plus 2.9% for Medicare. $41,557.50 × 0.153 = about $6,358.
- Deduct half of it: you can deduct half of the self-employment tax when you figure your income tax.
2026 Estimated Tax Payment Dates
Self-employed people who expect to owe $1,000 or more generally make quarterly estimated payments: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. When a date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Setting aside a share of every payment as you earn it is the easiest way to avoid a large bill. The quarterly column above shows the self-employment tax portion only, so add your estimated income tax on top.
For more detail, read our guide 2026 Self-Employment Tax Guide or the freelance tax guide. To set the hourly rate you need to cover this tax, use the freelance rate calculator. Official rules are on the IRS page for self-employment tax.
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026.