RateHerald

No link on RateHerald pays us today. When some do, they'll say so, and they'll never change a ranking. How we make money

Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare for the self-employed) and federal income tax on 1099 or business income for 2026, and the quarterly estimated payments to make.

On $60,000 of net self-employment income, self-employment tax is about $8,478 (15.3% of $55,410), and federal income tax on it about $4,511: roughly $3,247 a quarter in estimated payments for 2026.

Self-employment tax
$8,478
Federal income tax on it
$4,511
Quarterly estimated payment
$3,247
Deductible half of SE tax
$4,239

Self-employment tax and quarterly payments by net income (single, no other wages)

Net incomeSE taxIncome taxEach quarter
$20,000$2,826$249$769
$40,000$5,652$2,281$1,983
$60,000$8,478$4,511$3,247
$100,000$14,130$11,616$6,436
$150,000$21,194$22,191$10,846
$250,000$29,851$46,572$19,106

How this calculator works

Self-employment tax is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security and 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of net earnings. Social Security applies only up to the $184,500 wage base for 2026, less any W-2 wages; 0.9% more Medicare applies above $200,000 ($250,000 joint). Half of the tax is deductible.

Income tax uses the 2026 brackets and standard deduction on net income less the deductible half.

What it assumes

  • The qualified business income deduction (up to 20% of qualifying income) and other deductions can lower income tax; they aren't modeled.
  • Quarterly payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.

Questions people ask

How much is self-employment tax?

15.3% of 92.35% of net earnings, about 14.1% of net income: on $60,000, $8,478.

Do I have to pay quarterly taxes?

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file, generally yes. Paying at least 100% of last year's tax (110% if your income was over $150,000) in four installments avoids the underpayment penalty.

What is deductible for 1099 workers?

Ordinary and necessary business expenses, half of self-employment tax, health insurance premiums if you qualify, retirement contributions such as a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k), and often the qualified business income deduction.

At what income do I pay self-employment tax?

When net self-employment earnings are $400 or more in a year.

Related calculators

  • Income Tax CalculatorYour 2026 federal and state income tax from your income, filing status and children, with your tax bracket and the effective rate you really pay.
  • Paycheck CalculatorWhat you take home from each paycheck after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax, with 2026 tax rates for every state.
  • Capital Gains Tax CalculatorThe federal tax on a gain from selling stock, funds, property or other investments in 2026: 0%, 15% or 20% if held over a year, your ordinary rate if not, plus the 3.8% net investment income tax at higher incomes.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.

Embed this calculator on your site

Free to use. Copy this code; the link back is appreciated, not required.