Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
For sole proprietors and freelancers: Schedule SE tax on 92.35% of net profit, the Social Security base left after any W-2 wages, the deductible half, and the extra federal income tax your profit causes.
Last reviewed 8 October 2026 · Estimate only — not tax advice, not an IRS calculation
- The qualified business income (QBI) deduction is not calculated.
- State and local income tax are not calculated for this state yet.
How this was calculated
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Net earnings from self-employment (profit × 92.35%) | $55,410.00 |
| Social Security 12.4% on $55,410 (base left after W-2 wages)12.4% of $55,410.00 | $6,870.84 |
| Medicare 2.9% (no cap)2.9% of $55,410.00 | $1,606.89 |
| Self-employment tax | $8,477.73 |
| Deductible half of SE tax (reduces AGI) | $4,238.87 |
| Extra federal income tax caused by the profit | $4,513.00 |
| Total federal tax on self-employment profit | $12,990.73 |
Assumptions
- Sole proprietor (Schedule C); not an S corporation or partnership
- Standard deduction
Rules: federal US-FED-2026-v1 · Tax year 2026 (generally filed in 2027)
How this calculator works
Net earnings = profit × 92.35% · SE tax = 12.4% × min(net earnings, $184,500 − W-2 Social Security wages) + 2.9% × net earnings · Half of SE tax is deducted from AGI · Income tax on profit = tax with profit − tax without.
Worked example
$50,000 profit: net earnings $46,175 (× 92.35%), Social Security $5,725.70 + Medicare $1,339.08 = $7,064.78 SE tax, of which $3,532.39 is deductible.
Limits and edge cases
- No SE tax is due when net earnings are under $400.
- S corporations and partnerships are taxed differently and are not covered.
- The 20% QBI deduction is not calculated, so income tax may be overstated; the result is marked partial.
See the full 2026 federal tax brackets and how Taxliva builds and tests U.S. rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate in 2026?
15.3% — 12.4% Social Security on net earnings up to $184,500 (less W-2 wages) and 2.9% Medicare with no cap — applied to 92.35% of net profit.
Is half of self-employment tax deductible?
Yes. The deductible half (excluding Additional Medicare Tax) reduces AGI as an adjustment to income.
Do I need to pay quarterly?
Usually, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more after withholding. Use the estimated tax calculator for the 2026 due dates and safe harbors.
Official sources
Rule review
Taxliva is not affiliated with the IRS and does not file returns. Results are estimates for general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.
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