US Self-Employment Tax Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your net self-employment income. The calculator will compute Social Security and Medicare taxes (SE tax) and total self-employment tax liability according to the IRS rules for 2026.

• Enter net income from self-employment in USD.
• The calculator automatically applies SE tax rate: 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare).
• Compute half of SE tax deductible for income tax purposes.
• Click Calculate SE Tax to see total SE tax and net income after SE tax.
• Use this for tax planning and estimated quarterly payments.

Self-Employment Tax Calculator

Understanding US Self-Employment Tax

Self-employment (SE) tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax for individuals who work for themselves. It applies to net earnings from self-employment and is mandatory for freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners. The SE tax rate is currently 15.3%, consisting of 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare.

How SE Tax is Calculated

• Multiply net self-employment income by 92.35% to determine SE taxable income.
• Social Security tax (12.4%) applies to income up to the annual wage base limit ($160,200 for 2026).
• Medicare tax (2.9%) applies to all net SE income.
• Additional Medicare tax of 0.9% applies to income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
• Half of SE tax is deductible on Form 1040 for federal income tax purposes.

Tips for Self-Employed Individuals

• Estimate quarterly SE tax payments to avoid penalties.
• Keep accurate records of income and expenses.
• Use the calculator to anticipate SE tax liability.
• Include deductions for business expenses to reduce taxable income.
• Consult IRS rules for SE tax credits and exemptions if eligible.

FAQs

Using this Self-Employment Tax Calculator ensures accurate tax computation, helps plan estimated payments, and simplifies compliance with IRS regulations for self-employed individuals.