About the Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Self-Employment Tax Calculator estimates the Social Security and Medicare tax that freelancers, contractors and sole proprietors in the United States pay on their net profit. It uses the 2026 rules: 15.3% (12.4% Social Security up to $184,500 plus 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of your net profit, plus the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above the limit for your filing status. It also shows the half of the tax you can deduct from income and a quarterly amount to set aside. It does not work out federal or state income tax.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator
- 1Type your net profit: business income minus expenses.
- 2Add any wages from a job (W-2), which count towards the Social Security limit.
- 3Choose your filing status.
- 4Read the self-employment tax, its parts and the deductible half.
- 5Divide by four for the amount to set aside each quarter.
Where the 15.3% comes from
Social Security tax is 12.4% and Medicare tax is 2.9%, together 15.3%. An employee pays half through their paycheck and the employer pays half. A self-employed person is both, so the full 15.3% is charged on net earnings, which is 92.35% of net profit. On $100,000 of profit that means earnings of $92,350 and a tax of about $14,130.
The Social Security limit
Social Security tax stops once your combined earnings reach the wage base, $184,500 for 2026. Medicare tax has no limit. If you also have a job, the job's wages are taxed first, so only the room left under the limit is taxed on your business profit. Enter your W-2 wages in the calculator and it does this for you.
- Profit $100,000, no wages: about $14,130
- Profit $250,000, no wages: Social Security stops at the base, Medicare continues
- Wages above the base: no extra Social Security tax on the profit
Planning and quarterly payments
Self-employed people usually pay estimated tax in four instalments through the year. A simple plan is to put aside the self-employment tax plus your expected income tax from every payment you receive. The quarterly figure on this page covers only the self-employment part, so add your income tax estimate to it.
Related tools
See your net pay with the Take-Home Pay Calculator and your effective hourly rate with the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator. To plan retirement savings use the 401k Calculator, and for what to charge clients try the Invoice Generator.
Features
- 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500
- Social Security, Medicare and Additional Medicare shown separately
- Deductible half of the tax
- Counts W-2 wages already taxed
- Quarterly set-aside amount
- Private: nothing is uploaded
Frequently asked questions
What is self-employment tax?
The way self-employed people pay Social Security and Medicare. Employees split the 15.3% with their employer. If you work for yourself, you pay both halves.
Why 92.35% of profit?
Employers deduct their half of the tax before it is calculated. The 92.35% factor gives self-employed people the same treatment.
What is the 2026 Social Security wage base?
$184,500. The 12.4% Social Security part applies only to earnings up to this amount, and wages from a job count first.
When does the Additional Medicare Tax apply?
A further 0.9% is charged on earnings above $200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married couples filing jointly and $125,000 for married filing separately. Wages count towards the threshold.
Can I deduct part of it?
Yes. Half of your self-employment tax (the Social Security and regular Medicare parts) is deducted when you work out your income tax, which this page shows.
Do I owe it if I earn little?
If your net earnings from self-employment are under $400 you do not owe self-employment tax. Above that you do, even if your income tax is small.
Does this include income tax?
No. It is only the self-employment tax. Federal income tax, state tax and the qualified business income deduction are separate.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is an estimate for planning. Use the IRS forms or a tax professional to file.