Self-Employment Tax Calculator Tax Year 2026
Calculate your federal self-employment tax, income tax, and state tax on freelance income.
20% deduction on qualified business income. Phase-out begins above $201,775 (single) / $403,550 (joint) for 2026. Use the SSTB checkbox below if your business is a specified service trade (law, accounting, health, consulting, athletics, financial services, performing arts, brokerage). Made permanent by OBBBA.
Additional $6,000 deduction (OBBBA). Phases out at 6% above $75K single / $150K joint AGI.
New to the 2026 tax changes? Read our OBBBA guide →
Child Tax Credit: $2,200 per child (OBBBA). Phases out above $200K (single) / $400K (joint).
Above-the-line deduction. Includes medical, dental, and long-term care for you, spouse, and dependents. Cannot exceed net SE income. Not available for months you were eligible for an employer-sponsored plan (e.g., through a spouse’s employer).
Above-the-line deduction. SEP IRA max: 25% of net SE income (up to $70,000). Solo 401k: up to $23,500 employee + 25% employer.
Simplified method: $5/sq ft, max 300 sq ft ($1,500). Used exclusively and regularly for business.
Above-the-line deduction, max $2,500. Phases out at higher incomes.
Enter your self-employment income to see results
This calculator estimates your federal self-employment tax, federal income tax, and state tax. It assumes positive net SE income.
Your Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Total Tax
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Effective Rate
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Quarterly Payment
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Monthly Set-Aside
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Effective Hourly
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(30 hrs/wk)
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Tax Breakdown
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Federal Income Tax Brackets
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Important: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice.
Your actual tax liability depends on deductions, credits, other income, and factors not captured here.
The QBI deduction has income limits and phase-outs not fully modeled. State taxes may have local surcharges (e.g., NYC, Ohio municipalities) not included.
Your city or municipality may levy additional local income taxes not reflected here.
Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.
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How This Calculator Works
- Self-employment tax: Net income × 92.35% × 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare). Social Security is capped at $184,500 (2026, per SSA). The 0.9% Additional Medicare surcharge applies to combined wages + SE earnings above $200K single / $250K joint per IRS Form 8959 (the threshold is reduced by W-2 wages first).
- Half-SE deduction: 50% of regular SS + Medicare (not Additional Medicare, which is employee-only) deducted from income before income tax.
- QBI deduction: Up to 20% of qualified business income, after subtracting half-SE, SE health insurance, and SE retirement contributions. Phases in/out between $201,775 / $403,550 and the next $75K / $150K. Above the phase-in range, SSTBs (law, accounting, health, consulting, etc.) are fully denied; non-SSTBs without W-2 wages or qualified property are also denied. Capped at 20% of taxable income excluding capital gains. OBBBA $400 minimum applies if you actively participate and have $1,000+ of QBI.
- Federal income tax: Applied to income after the standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 joint), half-SE, above-the-line deductions, senior deduction, and QBI deduction, using 2026 progressive brackets.
- State income tax: Applied to your TOTAL income (SE + W-2) using your state’s 2026 rates and standard deduction. California SDI (1.3% uncapped per SB 951) is added separately.
- Above-the-line deductions: Self-employed health insurance, SEP IRA / Solo 401(k) contributions (capped at ~18.6% of net SE earnings), home office (simplified method, $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft), and student loan interest (max $2,500). These reduce both AGI for federal tax and the QBI base.
- Child Tax Credit: $2,200 per qualifying child under 17 (OBBBA), applied as a nonrefundable credit. The Additional Child Tax Credit (refundable portion, up to $1,700/child for 2026) is paid out for low-income filers based on 15% of earned income above $2,500. Phases out at $50 per $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of income above $200K single / $400K joint.
- Senior deduction: $6,000 per qualifying senior 65+ (OBBBA). Doubles to $12,000 if both spouses qualify (MFJ). Phases out at 6% of AGI above $75K single / $150K joint.
- Quarterly estimated tax: Total tax divided by 4. Due dates: April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15.
Primary sources: Tax Foundation — 2026 Federal Brackets ·
Tax Foundation — 2026 State Rates ·
IRS Self-Employment Tax Center ·
SSA — Contribution and Benefit Base ·
IRS — Child Tax Credit ·
Individual state revenue department websites for state-specific data.
Read our full methodology, data sources, and privacy approach →