US Self Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate self-employment tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, Additional Medicare tax, deductible portion, quarterly payments, and total tax planning amount.
Self-employment tax
SE Tax
Social Security + Medicare
Enter self-employment tax details
Estimate self-employment tax, Social Security, Medicare, Additional Medicare tax, deductible employer-equivalent portion, and optional income tax planning amount.
Self-employment tax note
This calculator estimates self-employment tax on net earnings from self-employment and also provides optional federal and state income tax planning estimates.
2026 Social Security wage base used: $184,500.
Self-employment tax estimate
Total self-employment tax
$13,423
Effective SE tax rate: 14.13%
Net profit
$95,000
SE net earnings
$87,733
Estimated amount remaining
$25,261
Quarterly estimate
$6,315
Self-employment tax parts
Income tax planning
Taxable wage limits
Social Security taxable earnings: $87,733
Remaining Social Security wage base: $184,500
Additional Medicare taxable earnings: $0
This is a simplified self-employment tax estimate. Actual tax may differ because of deductions, credits, business structure, retirement contributions, qualified business income deduction, estimated payment rules, state rules, and complete tax return calculations.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross self-employment incomeTotal self-employment income before business expenses. | $120,000 |
| Business expensesExpenses entered by the user. | $25,000 |
| Net profitGross self-employment income minus business expenses. | $95,000 |
| Net earnings from self-employmentEstimated at 92.35% of net profit. | $87,733 |
| Social Security taxable earningsLimited by the Social Security wage base after W-2 Social Security wages. | $87,733 |
| Medicare taxable earningsMedicare portion applies to net earnings from self-employment. | $87,733 |
| Self-employment Social Security taxEstimated Social Security portion of self-employment tax. | $10,879 |
| Self-employment Medicare taxEstimated Medicare portion of self-employment tax. | $2,544 |
| Additional Medicare taxApplies only when combined Medicare wages exceed the filing-status threshold. | $0 |
| Total self-employment taxSocial Security, Medicare, and Additional Medicare tax estimate. | $13,423 |
| Deductible employer-equivalent portionEstimated deductible portion of regular self-employment tax. | $6,712 |
| Federal income tax estimateOptional estimate using the federal tax rate entered by the user. | $19,423 |
| State tax estimateOptional estimate using the state tax rate entered by the user. | $4,414 |
| Total estimated tax before paymentsSelf-employment tax plus optional federal and state income tax estimates. | $37,261 |
| Quarterly payments already madeEstimated tax payments already paid by the user. | $12,000 |
| Estimated amount remainingEstimated amount remaining after quarterly payments entered. | $25,261 |
Current net profit used in this estimate: 95,000 USD.
Self-employment tax applies to net earnings from self-employment
This calculator estimates self-employment tax using net profit, net earnings from self-employment, Social Security wage-base limits, Medicare tax, Additional Medicare tax, and optional federal and state income tax planning rates.
Key features
- ✓Estimates self-employment Social Security and Medicare tax.
- ✓Uses net profit and 92.35% net earnings from self-employment logic.
- ✓Applies the Social Security wage-base limit.
- ✓Includes Additional Medicare tax planning.
- ✓Shows deductible employer-equivalent portion.
- ✓Includes optional federal and state income tax planning rates.
How to use this calculator
- 1
Select filing status.
- 2
Enter gross self-employment income.
- 3
Enter business expenses to calculate net profit.
- 4
Add W-2 Social Security wages or other Medicare wages if applicable.
- 5
Enter optional federal and state income tax planning rates.
- 6
Review self-employment tax, deductible portion, and quarterly estimate.
US Self Employment Tax Calculator for Freelancers, Contractors, and 1099 Income
In simple words
Estimate the Social Security and Medicare tax you owe on your own freelance or contract income.
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax you pay on your own earnings. Workers with jobs share this cost with their employer. Self-employed people pay both shares. This tool estimates that tax for freelancers, contractors, and gig workers.
Self-employment tax is not income tax. Income tax uses taxable income, deductions, and credits. Self-employment tax uses net earnings from your work. You can owe it even when your income tax is low. The tool starts with gross income, then subtracts business expenses.
Net profit is gross income minus business expenses. The tool figures net earnings at 92.35% of net profit. That matches the standard rule. Social Security stops at the wage base. Medicare applies to all net earnings.
Business expenses lower your tax. Costs like software, supplies, advertising, and mileage can cut net profit. Lower net profit means lower tax. The tool uses the expense amount you enter. It does not decide what counts as a deduction.
W-2 wages matter for the Social Security limit. The wage base covers wages and self-employment income. If you already paid Social Security tax on W-2 wages, less of the base is left. The tool has a W-2 wages field for side-income earners. Medicare has no such cap.
Other Medicare wages matter for Additional Medicare tax. That extra tax starts when your income passes your threshold. The tool has an other Medicare wages field. It helps high-income earners plan. Married filers should check their combined income.
Part of self-employment tax may be deductible. The employer-equivalent portion can lower your taxable income. It does not remove the tax itself. The tool shows this deductible portion on its own. So SE tax planning has both payroll and income tax sides.
People search for 1099 tax calculator, freelance tax calculator, and Schedule C tax calculator. Most want one answer: how much to set aside for taxes. The tool can add federal and state income tax rates. It also shows a per-quarter amount.
Quarterly payments matter because no one withholds for you. Employees see tax taken from each paycheck. Freelancers usually do not. If you pay too little, you may owe more or face a penalty. The tool splits the remaining amount into four payments.
Self-employment tax can surprise new freelancers. A W-2 employee shares Social Security and Medicare with the employer. A self-employed person covers both shares. That is why the rate feels higher. You may still get business deductions and retirement options. Use this to plan, then check IRS Schedule SE.
Frequently asked questions
How does the US self-employment tax calculator work?
It subtracts business expenses from gross self-employment income, estimates net earnings from self-employment, applies Social Security and Medicare tax rules, and shows total self-employment tax.
What is self-employment tax?
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax paid by self-employed taxpayers, generally covering both employee and employer portions.
What is net profit?
Net profit is gross self-employment income minus business expenses entered in the calculator.
Why does the calculator use 92.35% of net profit?
Self-employment tax is generally calculated on 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment in the simplified estimate.
Does Social Security tax have a wage base?
Yes. The Social Security portion is limited by the annual wage base. W-2 Social Security wages can reduce the remaining wage base for self-employment income.
Does Medicare tax have a wage base cap?
No. Medicare tax generally applies without the same Social Security wage-base cap.
What is Additional Medicare tax?
Additional Medicare tax is an extra Medicare tax that can apply when Medicare wages and self-employment income exceed the filing-status threshold.
What is the deductible employer-equivalent portion?
It is the estimated deductible portion of regular self-employment tax that may reduce income subject to regular income tax.
Can this calculator estimate quarterly payments?
Yes. It subtracts quarterly payments already made and divides the remaining estimated amount by four for a simple quarterly payment estimate.
Is this an official IRS calculator?
No. This is an independent planning calculator and does not replace IRS forms, Schedule SE, tax software, or professional tax advice.
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