Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Estimate your 2026 self-employment tax: 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit (12.4% Social Security up to $184,500 plus 2.9% Medicare), the half you can deduct, your federal income tax and a quarterly payment. Example: $80,000 of net profit owes about $11,304 in SE tax.

How to use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator

1. Enter your net profit from Schedule C or your 1099 income after business expenses.
2. Add any W-2 wages from a job, because they use up part of the Social Security wage base.
3. Choose your filing status and press Calculate.
4. Use the quarterly figure as a guide for your estimated tax payments.

Formula and method

SE tax = net profit x 92.35% x 15.3%, where the 12.4% Social Security part applies only up to the $184,500 wage base for 2026 (reduced by any W-2 wages) and the 2.9% Medicare part has no cap. Half of the 15.3% tax is deducted when figuring income tax. An extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).

Worked example: $80,000 net profit, single

2026 self-employment tax figures

Estimated tax: avoid the underpayment penalty

Self-employed people usually pay through quarterly estimated payments because no employer withholds tax. You generally avoid the penalty if you pay at least 90% of this year’s tax or 100% of last year’s tax (110% if last year’s AGI was over $150,000), and you expect to owe $1,000 or more.

Frequently asked questions

What is the self-employment tax rate in 2026?

15.3% of 92.35% of net profit: 12.4% for Social Security (up to $184,500) and 2.9% for Medicare, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 single or $250,000 joint.

Why is only 92.35% of my profit taxed?

It mirrors the employer half of FICA that employees do not pay tax on. The IRS multiplies net profit by 92.35% (1 minus half of 15.3%) before applying the rate.

Can I deduct self-employment tax?

You deduct half of it on Schedule 1 when figuring adjusted gross income. That lowers income tax but not the SE tax itself.

Do I owe SE tax on small income?

Only if net earnings are $400 or more. Under that, no SE tax is due.

How do W-2 wages affect it?

Social Security tax stops at the wage base across all your wages and SE earnings combined, so W-2 wages use up part of the $184,500 before SE income is taxed.

When are quarterly payments due?

Typically April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the next year.

Does this include state tax or the QBI deduction?

No. The 20% qualified business income deduction can lower your income tax, and states add their own tax, so treat the result as a federal estimate.

Sources

• IRS: Self-employment tax
• IRS: Federal income tax rates and brackets

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