Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026 (1099)
Freelancers, contractors, and gig workers pay both the employee and employer halves of Social Security and Medicare — the 15.3% self-employment tax. Enter your net 1099 profit to see your 2026 SE tax and the half you get to deduct.
Business income minus business expenses (Schedule C line 31).
- Social Security portion (12.4%)
- $6,870.84
- Medicare portion (2.9%)
- $1,606.89
- Deductible half
- $4,238.87
How this calculator works
- Net profit is multiplied by 92.35% (the employer-half adjustment), then taxed 12.4% for Social Security up to the annual wage base and 2.9% for Medicare with no cap.
- Half of the SE tax is deductible against your income tax — it reduces income tax, not the SE tax itself.
- SE tax is on top of ordinary federal and state income tax on the same profit.
SE tax = (net profit × 92.35%) × 15.3%
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay quarterly?
If you expect to owe $1,000+ for the year, the IRS expects quarterly estimated payments (April, June, September, January) or penalties apply. Use our quarterly tax calculator to size them.
What counts as net earnings?
Gross 1099/business income minus deductible business expenses — software, home office, mileage, health insurance premiums, and similar Schedule C costs.
Can an S-corp reduce self-employment tax?
Often, yes: S-corp owners pay FICA only on a reasonable salary, not on distributions. It adds payroll and filing costs, so it typically makes sense above roughly $80–100k of profit — talk to a CPA.
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Disclaimer: Results are estimates for educational purposes only and are not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules are simplified (credits, phase-outs, and local taxes may not be modeled). Verify important decisions with the IRS, your state tax authority, or a licensed professional.