Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate your US self-employment tax on 1099 or freelance income, the deductible half, and a rough quarterly payment.
Net = business income minus business expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is self-employment tax?
It covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) — 15.3% total — on 92.35% of your net self-employment income. Employees split this with employers; the self-employed pay both halves.
Can I deduct any of it?
Yes. You can deduct half of the SE tax on your income tax return, which this tool shows.
Is income tax included?
No. SE tax is separate from federal and state income tax. Use the income tax calculator for that part.
Understanding the Self-Employment Tax Calculator
This Self-Employment Tax Calculator estimates the Social Security and Medicare tax (the SE tax) that 1099 contractors, freelancers, and sole proprietors owe on their net business earnings, plus suggested quarterly estimated payments. Because self-employed people pay both the employee and employer halves, the combined rate is 15.3 percent. The tool also reflects the Social Security wage cap and the deductible employer-equivalent half. Results are US-rule estimates for planning withholding and estimated taxes; they are educational only and exclude federal and state income tax, and are not tax advice.
How it works
Enter your net self-employment earnings (business income minus expenses). The calculator multiplies by 92.35 percent to get the SE-taxable base, since only that portion is taxed. It applies 12.4 percent Social Security tax up to the annual wage base ($176,100 for 2025) and 2.9 percent Medicare tax on the full base with no cap. It also flags the 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Half of the SE tax is deductible against income tax. Dividing the annual estimate by four gives a guide to quarterly payments (due mid-April, June, September, and January).
Worked example
A freelancer with $80,000 net earnings: SE-taxable base = 80,000 x 0.9235 = $73,880. Social Security = 12.4% x 73,880 = $9,161. Medicare = 2.9% x 73,880 = $2,143. Total SE tax = $11,304. The deductible half is about $5,652, which reduces taxable income for income tax. As a planning guide, quarterly estimated SE tax is roughly 11,304 / 4 = $2,826, paid alongside any income tax owed.
Tips & common mistakes
- SE tax is separate from and in addition to federal income tax; budget for both.
- You owe SE tax once net earnings reach $400 for the year.
- Only 92.35% of net earnings is taxed, mirroring the employer-side FICA deduction.
- Social Security tax stops at the annual wage base; Medicare tax has no cap.
- Deduct one-half of SE tax when figuring income tax, but not when figuring SE tax itself.
Sources & methodology
- • IRS — Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes) (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes)
- • IRS — Topic no. 560, Additional Medicare Tax (https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc560)
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Reviewed by the TopOpenTools editorial team · Last updated June 2026. These tools provide general estimates for educational purposes only and are not financial, tax, insurance, investment, or medical advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.