Self-Employment Tax Calculator (1099)
Estimate the taxes on freelance and 1099 income. Enter your income and expenses, plus your tax rates, to get self-employment tax, a rough income-tax estimate, your quarterly payment, and effective rate. This is an educational estimate, not tax advice.
Where gross goes
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Check it outHow the estimate is built
First, expenses are subtracted to get net profit. Self-employment tax (Social Security up to the $184,500 2026 wage base, plus Medicare) is figured on 92.35% of that. For income tax, the calculator subtracts half the SE tax and a simplified 20% Qualified Business Income deduction, then applies your estimated federal rate; state tax uses your rate on net income. Quarterly payment is the total split four ways. This is a rough planning estimate, not tax advice — real brackets, credits, and the QBI rules are more nuanced. Confirm with a CPA or tax software.
How it’s calculated
Net = income − expenses. SE tax = 12.4% Social Security (up to the wage base, less any W-2 wages) + 2.9% Medicare, charged on 92.35% of net. The income-tax estimate applies your rate to net minus half the SE tax and a simplified 20% QBI deduction.
Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Sources: IRS (Self-Employment Tax); Social Security Administration (wage base).
Worked example
On $52,000 net (after $8k expenses), SE tax is ~$7,347, plus income tax — about $18,100 total, ~$4,525 per quarter.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting SE tax is on top of income tax.
- Skipping quarterly estimated payments and owing penalties.
Where it is used
- Setting aside the right amount from each 1099 payment.
- Budgeting quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer.
Frequently asked questions
Is this my exact tax bill?
No. It's a planning estimate. Your actual federal tax depends on brackets, filing status, credits, and other income, not a single flat rate.
What's the QBI deduction?
The Qualified Business Income deduction can reduce taxable business income by up to 20%. This tool applies a simplified 20% and ignores phase-outs.
Why estimate quarterly payments?
The IRS expects self-employed people to pay tax through the year. Dividing the estimated total by four is a common starting point.
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