Self-Employment Tax Calculator (2026)
Freelancers and side hustlers pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare. Estimate your 2026 self-employment tax, the income tax on your profit, and how much to send the IRS each quarter.
Suggested quarterly payment
| 2026 payment period | Due date |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Mar 31 | April 15, 2026 |
| Apr 1 – May 31 | June 15, 2026 |
| Jun 1 – Aug 31 | September 15, 2026 |
| Sep 1 – Dec 31 | January 15, 2027 |
How to use the self-employment tax calculator
- Enter your expected net profit for the year: business income minus business expenses (Schedule C line 31).
- Choose your filing status. If you or your spouse also have a W-2 job, enter those wages; they affect your tax bracket and the Social Security cap.
- Leave the QBI deduction on unless you know you do not qualify.
- Enter what you have already paid in estimated taxes this year to see what is left, split across the remaining quarters.
How self-employment tax works
When you work for an employer, you pay 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare and your employer pays the other 7.65%. When you work for yourself you pay both halves: 15.3% on 92.35% of your net profit. The 12.4% Social Security part stops at the 2026 wage base of $184,500 (combined with any W-2 wages); the 2.9% Medicare part has no cap, and an extra 0.9% applies to earnings above $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers). You get to deduct half of the SE tax when figuring income tax.
On top of SE tax, your profit is subject to regular federal income tax at your bracket. This calculator uses the 2026 brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and shows only the income tax caused by your business. If you also have a W-2 job, the tax on those wages is assumed to be covered by your paycheck withholding. Most sole proprietors also qualify for the 20% qualified business income deduction; it is applied in full when taxable income is under the 2026 threshold ($201,750, or $403,500 joint) and left out above it, where limits depend on your type of business.
Because nobody withholds tax from freelance income, the IRS expects you to pay during the year through quarterly estimated payments (Form 1040-ES, or online at IRS Direct Pay). You can generally avoid underpayment penalties by paying at least 100% of last year's total tax (110% if your AGI was over $150,000) or 90% of this year's. Set aside 25–30% of each payment you receive in a separate savings account and the quarterly bill will never be a surprise.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay self-employment tax on a small side gig?
SE tax applies once your net self-employment earnings reach $400 for the year. Income tax applies to all of it.
Does this include state tax?
No. It estimates federal tax only. Most states also tax self-employment income; add your state rate on top.
What expenses can I deduct?
Ordinary and necessary business costs: equipment, software, a home office, business mileage, phone and internet (business share), professional services and more. Enter profit after those expenses.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is an estimate based on 2026 federal rules and simplifying assumptions (standard deduction, no other credits or income). A tax professional can account for your full situation.