Self-employment tax calculator
United States · 2026 rates
Also for United KingdomIf you work for yourself, nobody withholds tax from your pay. Enter your profit to see your self-employment tax, income tax and how much to set aside each quarter.
How self-employment tax works
Employees split Social Security and Medicare with their employer. When you are self-employed you pay both halves yourself, as self-employment (SE) tax.
- Multiply your net profit by 92.35% to get your net earnings from self-employment.
- Pay 12.4% Social Security on those earnings up to $184,500 in 2026 (less any W-2 wages you already earned), and 2.9% Medicare on all of them.
- An extra 0.9% Medicare applies to earnings over $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly).
- Half of your SE tax is deducted from your income before income tax is worked out.
You do not owe SE tax if your net earnings are under $400. Many self-employed people can also take the qualified business income (QBI) deduction of up to 20% of their business income, which this calculator includes in a simplified form for incomes below the level where extra limits start.
Example
A single freelancer in Texas with $60,000 of profit pays $8,477.73 in SE tax and about $3,559 in federal income tax after the standard deduction and QBI deduction: $12,037.20 in total, or about $3,009 a quarter. In California, state income tax adds about $1,395.
Quarterly estimated tax deadlines for 2026
| Income earned | Payment due |
|---|---|
| January 1 to March 31 | April 15, 2026 |
| April 1 to May 31 | June 15, 2026 |
| June 1 to August 31 | September 15, 2026 |
| September 1 to December 31 | January 15, 2027 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to make quarterly payments?
Generally yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year after withholding and credits. Paying too little during the year can lead to an underpayment penalty.
How can I lower my self-employment tax?
Track every legitimate business expense, because SE tax is charged on profit. Contributions to a SEP IRA or solo 401(k) reduce income tax but not SE tax. Some owners form an S corporation and pay themselves a reasonable salary, which can reduce SE tax but adds payroll costs.
Estimate only. Does not include credits, other deductions or city taxes. Sources: IRS self-employment tax, IRS estimated taxes, SSA contribution and benefit base.
Last checked and updated: October 2026 (2026 tax year)