Self-Employment Tax Calculator (2026)
If you work for yourself, you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare, 15.3% in total, on top of income tax. Enter your net profit (income minus business expenses) to estimate your 2026 self-employment tax, your federal income tax, and what to set aside for each quarterly payment.
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How self-employment tax works
- SE earnings. Net profit is multiplied by 92.35%, which is the employer-half adjustment, to get the amount subject to SE tax.
- Social Security and Medicare. 12.4% Social Security on up to $184,500 (2026), minus any wages already taxed, plus 2.9% Medicare on everything, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
- Half deduction. You deduct half of your SE tax when figuring income tax.
- Income tax. The 2026 standard deduction and brackets are applied, after the optional 20% qualified business income deduction.
- Quarterly estimates. Total tax is divided by four. Payments are generally due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15.
Worked example
A single contractor with $100,000 of net profit, no other income and no QBI: SE earnings are $92,350, so SE tax is 15.3% of that, $14,129.55. Half of it, $7,064.77, is deducted when figuring income tax.
Frequently asked questions
Why is self-employment tax 15.3%?
Employees pay 7.65% (6.2% Social Security plus 1.45% Medicare) and their employer pays the other 7.65%. When you are self-employed you pay both halves, which is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit.
When are estimated tax payments due?
Quarterly: normally April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the following year. If a date falls on a weekend or holiday it moves to the next business day.
What is the safe harbor to avoid an underpayment penalty?
In general you avoid the penalty if you pay at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if your prior-year adjusted gross income was over $150,000) through withholding and estimated payments.
Can I deduct my health insurance and home office?
Often yes, but those deductions are not in this calculator. Enter your net profit after all business expenses, and use the retirement contribution field for a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k).
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This calculator gives an estimate for planning and is not tax, legal or engineering advice. Tax figures use 2026 federal and state rules as published by October 2026 and may differ from your actual withholding or tax bill.