Self-employment tax calculator
The 15.3% Social Security and Medicare tax on your net profit, with the 2026 wage base and the deductible half.
- ๐บ๐ธ US federal & state rules
- IRS Schedule SE, tax year 2026
- See sources
Self-employment tax for the year
$8,477.73
14.1% of $60,000 net profit
- Social Security 12.4%
- $6,870.84
- Medicare 2.9%
- $1,606.89
- Deductible half
- $4,238.87
- Per quarter
- $2,119.43
This is an example. Enter your numbers above and press the button to see your own result.
At other profit levels
| $25,000 | $3,532.39 |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | $7,064.78 |
| $100,000 | $14,129.55 |
| $150,000 | $21,194.32 |
| $200,000 | $28,234.30 |
- Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare. It is on top of federal and state income tax on the same profit. The 1099 tax calculator adds those.
- Net earnings are 92.35% of profit, which mirrors the employer share an employee never pays tax on. Half of the self-employment tax is deductible from income.
Show the math
| Net profit | $60,000 |
|---|---|
| Net earnings (ร 92.35%) | $55,410.00 |
| Social Security on up to $184,500 | $55,410.00 ร 12.4% = $6,870.84 |
| Medicare on all net earnings | $55,410.00 ร 2.9% = $1,606.89 |
| Self-employment tax | $8,477.73 |
| Half deducted from income (Schedule 1) | $4,238.87 |
What to do next
How it works
Net profit is multiplied by 92.35% to get net earnings. Social Security tax of 12.4% applies to net earnings up to the annual wage base, reduced by any W-2 wages you already paid Social Security on. Medicare of 2.9% applies to all net earnings, plus 0.9% above the threshold for your filing status. Half of the total is deducted from income on Schedule 1.
Things to keep in mind
The tax is paid with your return or through quarterly estimated payments. Nothing is withheld from 1099 income, so setting aside 25% to 30% of profit for all taxes is a common rule of thumb.
Partners in a partnership and members of an LLC taxed as a partnership generally owe self-employment tax on their share. S corporation owners pay it only on salary, not on distributions.
Sources
Rules applied as of 2026-01-01. See the sources below for details.
- IRS Topic no. 554 (reviewed 24-Sep-2026)Checked 2026-10-19
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), What's New, dated Dec 15, 2025Checked 2026-10-19
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate?
15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security on net earnings up to $184,500 in 2026, and 2.9% for Medicare on all net earnings. An extra 0.9% Medicare applies above $200,000 ($250,000 joint).
Why is it figured on 92.35% of profit?
Employees pay their 7.65% share on wages that already exclude the employer's 7.65%. Multiplying by 92.35% puts the self-employed on the same footing. Half the tax is then deductible from income.
Do I owe it if I also have a job?
Yes, on net self-employment earnings of $400 or more. Your W-2 wages use up the Social Security wage base first, so if your job pays over the cap you owe only the Medicare part on the side income.
Is self-employment tax the same as income tax?
No. It replaces the Social Security and Medicare withheld from an employee's paycheck. Federal and state income tax on the same profit are separate and usually larger.