Business
Instant, private, and free
Self-Employment Tax Calculator.
Estimate your Social Security and Medicare taxes for 1099 income
Set your values
Results update as you type.
Income Details
Total income after business expenses, but before taxes.
About SE Tax:
In the US, self-employed individuals pay both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Total Estimated SE Tax
$8,478*This does not include federal or state income taxes, which are calculated on your AGI.
FAQs
What is self-employment tax?
Self-employment tax consists of Social Security and Medicare taxes primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the FICA taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners.
What is the current self-employment tax rate?
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. This includes 12.4% for Social Security (up to a certain income limit) and 2.9% for Medicare on all net earnings.
How is self-employment tax calculated?
It is typically calculated on 92.35% of your net earnings from self-employment. Our calculator applies this rule automatically to give you an accurate estimate.
When do I need to pay self-employment tax?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes, you generally must make quarterly estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES.
How to Use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator
This calculator helps you estimate the mandatory Social Security and Medicare taxes you owe as a self-employed person in the US. It's essential for budgeting for quarterly estimated payments.
- Enter your total net annual earnings (Gross income minus business expenses).
- Review the calculated Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) portions.
- See your total tax obligation and effective tax rate.
- Check the suggested quarterly payment to help with IRS Form 1040-ES.
How SE Tax is Calculated
The IRS uses a specific multi-step formula to calculate self-employment tax.
Taxable Earnings Base
The IRS only taxes 92.35% of your net earnings, effectively giving you a deduction for the employer portion of the tax.
Example:
Input: $100,000 net earnings
Calculation: $100,000 × 0.9235
Result: $92,350 taxable amount
Combined SE Tax Rate
12.4% for Social Security + 2.9% for Medicare = 15.3% total.
Example:
Input: $92,350 taxable amount
Calculation: $92,350 × 0.153
Result: $14,130 total SE tax
SE Tax Planning Scenarios
Useful for different stages of business growth.
Quarterly Estimated Payments
Use this every quarter to ensure you are setting aside enough to cover your SE tax obligation and avoid IRS penalties.
Entity Selection (S-Corp vs LLC)
Compare your SE tax burden as a sole member LLC vs. potentially lower SE taxes in an S-Corp structure.
Self-Employment Tax Tips
Tips
- You can deduct half of your self-employment tax from your gross income when calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI).
- The Social Security portion is only applied up to a certain wage base ($168,600 for 2024).
- Earnings over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married) are subject to an additional 0.9% Medicare tax.
- Always keep a separate bank account for tax reserves to avoid spending your tax money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting that SE tax is in addition to federal and state income tax.
- Not accounting for the 92.35% multiplier, leading to over-estimating taxes.
- Missing quarterly deadlines, which results in interest and penalties from the IRS.
Related Resources
Related Calculators
Related Calculators
Cite this calculator
Canonical URL: https://mathify.one/en/business/self-employment-tax
Cite as: Mathify. (2026). Self-Employment Tax Calculator. https://mathify.one/en/business/self-employment-tax
Use Cases
Estimate quarterly tax payments
Freelancers and independent contractors can use this calculator to estimate their self-employment tax liability, helping them set aside money for quarterly estimated tax payments.
Example: If your net earnings are $50,000, the calculator shows an estimated self-employment tax of about $7,065.
Plan for tax season
Side-hustle earners can project their annual self-employment tax to avoid surprises at tax time and budget accordingly.
Example: Enter your expected net earnings for the year to see the estimated tax amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is self-employment tax calculated?
- The calculator uses your net earnings (after business expenses) to compute the self-employment tax. It applies the 15.3% rate (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare) to 92.35% of your net earnings, as per IRS rules.
- Do I need to pay self-employment tax if I have a regular job?
- Yes, if you have self-employment income (e.g., freelance or side-hustle) in addition to a regular job, you may owe self-employment tax on that income, even if your employer withholds Social Security and Medicare taxes from your wages.
- What is the difference between self-employment tax and income tax?
- Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare contributions, similar to the payroll taxes withheld from employees. Income tax is separate and based on your total taxable income. This calculator only estimates the self-employment tax portion.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Tips
- Enter your net earnings (after deducting business expenses) for the most accurate estimate.
- Remember that self-employment tax is in addition to federal income tax; plan for both.
- If you have multiple income sources, calculate each separately and combine the results.
- Consider making quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid underpayment penalties.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using gross income instead of net earnings – you must subtract business expenses first.
- Forgetting that only 92.35% of net earnings are subject to self-employment tax.
- Assuming the calculator includes income tax – it only estimates Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Last updated: August 13, 2026