Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Calculate the 15.3% self-employment tax on your freelance, gig, or business income. SE tax covers Social Security and Medicare when you're self-employed.

📅 Tax Year:

🧮 Calculate SE Tax

$
Total revenue minus business expenses
$
Reduces SS portion if near wage base

How It Works

Self-employment tax is the self-employed person's equivalent of FICA taxes. You pay both the employee AND employer portions:

  • Social Security: 12.4% (two halves of 6.2%)
  • Medicare: 2.9% (two halves of 1.45%)
  • Total: 15.3%

Key Rules

  1. 92.35% Rule: Only 92.35% of net earnings are subject to SE tax (equivalent to treating the employer portion as a deduction)
  2. SS Wage Base: Social Security portion only applies to earnings up to $184,500 (2026). If you also have W-2 wages, they count toward this limit first.
  3. Deductible Half: You can deduct half of SE tax as an adjustment to income, reducing your income tax.

Formula

SE Earnings = Net Earnings × 92.35%
SS Tax = min(SE Earnings, Wage Base - W2 Wages) × 12.4%
Medicare Tax = SE Earnings × 2.9%
Total SE Tax = SS Tax + Medicare Tax

Examples

Example 1: $60,000 Net Earnings

  • SE Earnings: $60,000 × 92.35% = $55,410
  • SS: $55,410 × 12.4% = $6,871
  • Medicare: $55,410 × 2.9% = $1,607
  • Total: $8,478
  • Deductible half: $4,239

Example 2: $100,000 SE + $100,000 W2

  • SE Earnings: $92,350
  • SS subject: $184,500 - $100,000 = $84,500
  • SS Tax: $84,500 × 12.4% = $10,478
  • Medicare: $92,350 × 2.9% = $2,678
  • Total: $13,156

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as self-employment income?
Income from freelancing, gig work (Uber, DoorDash), sole proprietorships, partnerships, and most 1099-NEC income. Also includes profit from businesses you operate.
Is there a minimum to pay SE tax?
SE tax applies if net earnings are $400 or more. Below that threshold, you don't owe SE tax.
Do I also owe income tax?
Yes! SE tax is separate from income tax. You'll owe both federal income tax and SE tax on self-employment income.
What is the 92.35% rule?
This adjustment treats the employer-equivalent portion as deductible before calculating SE tax, similar to how employers don't pay FICA on their own FICA contributions.
Does Additional Medicare Tax apply?
Yes, if combined wages and SE income exceed $200,000 (single), you may owe an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on the excess.
How do I pay SE tax?
Through quarterly estimated tax payments (Forms 1040-ES) and when you file your annual return (Schedule SE).
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