Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Calculate your self-employment taxes including SE tax, federal income tax, and quarterly estimates.
Your Business Income
Revenue minus business expenses
Enter your net business profit to see tax breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
SalaryTools Pro Research Team
Compensation ResearchOur research team specializes in compensation analysis and tax research, covering salary benchmarks, payroll tax policy, and compensation strategy across all US states.
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What This Calculator Does
This self-employed tax calculator estimates your total annual tax burden including self-employment (SE) tax, federal income tax, and quarterly estimated payment amounts. It applies the IRS-approved deduction of half your SE tax from your taxable income to give you an accurate net after-tax figure.
How It Works
- SE tax base — calculated on 92.35% of net profit (IRS rule)
- SE tax rate — 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare)
- SE deduction — half of SE tax reduces your taxable income
- Federal income tax — applied to remaining income using 2026 brackets with standard deduction
- Quarterly estimate — total annual tax ÷ 4 payment periods
Example Calculation
A freelancer with $90,000 net profit:
- SE tax base: $90,000 × 92.35% = $83,115
- SE tax: $83,115 × 15.3% = $12,717
- SE deduction: $12,717 ÷ 2 = $6,358
- Taxable income: $90,000 − $6,358 − $15,350 (standard) = $68,292
- Federal income tax: ~$10,460
- Total tax: ~$23,177 | Net after-tax: ~$66,823
- Quarterly payment: ~$5,794
Why This Matters
Self-employed individuals often underestimate their tax burden because there's no employer withholding. Without quarterly payments, you can face a large unexpected bill in April plus underpayment penalties. Knowing your numbers in advance lets you set aside the right percentage each month and avoid surprises at tax time.
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