Home  /  Free tools

Free Self-Employed Tax Calculator

Enter your net self-employed income and see your self-employment tax, an estimate of your income tax, and exactly how much to set aside — plus what each quarterly payment should be. Free, instant, and nothing is uploaded — it all runs in your browser.

How the calculation works

Two taxes stack on your self-employed income, and this tool adds both:

• Self-employment tax — 15.3% of 92.35% of your net earnings (Social Security 12.4% up to the wage base, Medicare 2.9% with no cap). This is the part employees never see — an employer normally pays half; on your own you pay all of it.
• Income tax — your bracket applied to your net income, after deducting half of your self-employment tax (a real adjustment the IRS allows). State tax is added on top if you entered a rate.

When do you actually pay it?

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, the IRS wants quarterly estimated payments — roughly mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January. The "per quarterly payment" number above is your total divided by four. The trick that makes this painless: move your set-aside percentage into a separate savings account every time you get paid, so each due date is already funded.

Want the full income + Schedule-C expense + mileage version built for tax time? See the 1099 & Self-Employed Tax Tracker, or the all-in-one Small Business Command Center.

Quick FAQ

How much should a self-employed person set aside for taxes?

A common rule of thumb is 25–30% of net income, but your real number depends on your income and state — which is exactly what this calculator estimates for your situation. Higher earners and high-tax states trend toward 30–35%.

Is self-employment tax the same as income tax?

No — they're separate and they stack. Self-employment tax (15.3%) funds Social Security and Medicare; income tax is charged on top based on your bracket. This tool adds both so your set-aside covers everything.

Do I pay self-employment tax on revenue or profit?

Profit — your revenue minus deductible business expenses (your "net" income). That's why tracking expenses all year directly lowers what you owe. Enter your net figure above for an accurate estimate.

How do I actually pay quarterly taxes?

Through the IRS online payment portal (or Form 1040-ES), four times a year. Pay from the separate savings account where your set-aside has been accumulating. See quarterly estimated taxes for the self-employed for the full how-to.

More: how much to set aside for self-employed taxes · the deductions checklist · how to track expenses for taxes.

Sources (primary): IRS — Self-Employment Tax (Social Security & Medicare), 15.3% · Estimated Taxes (Form 1040-ES, quarterly). Rates are the current IRS figures; verify for your tax year.