Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate your federal, state, and self-employment tax in seconds. Built for freelancers, independent contractors, and gig workers. Updated with 2026 federal and 2025 state tax rules.
Net income after business expenses
Enter your income to see your tax breakdown
How self-employment tax works
If you're self-employed and earn $400 or more in net income, you owe self-employment tax in addition to federal and state income tax. SE tax covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) - what an employer would normally split with you. Total: 15.3% of your net earnings (after a 7.65% deduction).
On top of SE tax, you also owe federal income tax based on your tax bracket and state income tax (in 41 of 50 states). Most self-employed filers should set aside 25-35% of their gross income for taxes, depending on income level and state.
SE tax (15.3%)
Social Security (12.4% up to $184,500 in 2026) + Medicare (2.9%, no cap). You can deduct half of SE tax from your federal taxable income.
Federal income tax
7 brackets from 10% to 37% in 2026. After standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly).
State income tax
Varies dramatically: 0% in 9 states (TX, FL, etc.), flat rates in 12 states, graduated brackets up to 13.3% in California.
State-specific calculators
Choose your state for a calculator pre-configured with that state's specific tax structure:
By profession
Profession-specific calculators with deduction guidance for common gig economy and freelance work:
Common questions
Who needs to pay self-employment tax?
Anyone earning $400 or more in net self-employment income - freelancers, gig workers (Uber, DoorDash, Lyft), independent contractors, single-member LLC owners, sole proprietors, and most consultants.
When are quarterly tax payments due?
For tax year 2026, the IRS deadlines are April 15, June 15, September 15 (all 2026), and January 15, 2027. Missing these can trigger underpayment penalties.
How accurate is this calculator?
The calculator uses 2026 federal tax brackets (per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2025 state tax brackets (per Tax Foundation). It computes SE tax, federal income tax with standard deduction, and state income tax using each state's bracket structure. It does not model business deductions beyond a generic net-income input, and it simplifies state-specific adjustments. For your exact situation, consult a CPA.
Should I form an LLC or S-Corp to save on taxes?
For freelancers earning under ~$80K, an LLC taxed as a sole proprietor (the default) is usually fine. Above that, electing S-Corp tax treatment can reduce SE tax by paying yourself a "reasonable salary" and taking the rest as distributions. See our LLC vs S-Corp comparison for details.