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
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Total revenue minus business expenses
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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
- 92.35% Rule: Only 92.35% of net earnings are subject to SE tax (equivalent to treating the employer portion as a deduction)
- 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.
- 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
What this calculator does
This page turns the visible tax inputs into a planning estimate that can be checked against official forms and records. It is designed for quick comparison, not as a substitute for professional tax advice.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the filing status, income, deduction, credit, withholding, and other fields that apply to your situation.
- Run the calculator and review the tax estimate, rate, deduction, or planning result shown on the page.
- Compare the result with IRS forms, state rules, and your own records before making payment or filing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Self employment tax calculator 2026?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
How much self employment tax will I owe?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
Self employment tax calculator with deductions?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
Freelance tax calculator quarterly payments?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
Self employed social security Medicare tax calculator?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
Schedule SE tax calculator?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
1099 self employment tax calculator after expenses?
Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator with Schedule C net profit, partnership income, deductible business expenses, filing status. The working formula is self-employment tax is generally 15.3% on 92.35% of net self-employment earnings, up to the Social Security wage base for the Social Security portion. If net Schedule C profit is $80,000, the SE tax base starts at 92.35% of that amount before applying Social Security and Medicare rates. Check SE tax, deductible half of SE tax. Income tax is separate, so SE tax alone is not the whole freelancer tax bill.
Use Cases
- Freelancers and independent contractors — estimate the SE tax owed on 1099-NEC income before filing season.
- Gig workers (rideshare, delivery, etc.) — understand how much of your earnings go toward Social Security and Medicare.
- Side-hustle earners with a W-2 job — see how W-2 wages reduce the Social Security portion of SE tax.
- Sole proprietors and partners — calculate the deductible half of SE tax to lower your adjusted gross income.
- Tax-planning scenarios — model different income levels to set aside the right amount for quarterly estimated payments.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Calculations use the standard 92.35% factor applied to net self-employment earnings.
- The Social Security wage base is $184,500 for 2026 and $176,100 for 2025.
- The Additional Medicare Tax (0.9% above $200,000 for single filers) is not included in this calculator.
- This tool does not account for state-level self-employment or income taxes.
- Net earnings should already reflect business deductions (expenses, depreciation, etc.).
- Results are estimates for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified tax professional or the IRS for your exact liability.
Sources & References
- IRS Schedule SE (Form 1040) Instructions
- IRS Publication 334 — Tax Guide for Small Business
- 26 U.S. Code § 1401 — Rate of self-employment tax
- Social Security Administration — 2026 OASDI contribution base
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11 — 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts
- IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Always verify figures with official IRS publications or a licensed tax professional.