Self-Employment Tax Calculator
If you're self-employed, a freelancer, or a 1099 contractor in the US, you owe self-employment tax to cover Social Security and Medicare. This calculator estimates your SE tax on your net earnings, plus the portion you can deduct on your income taxes.
Formula reviewed for accuracy. Our methodology & sources
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
tax calculator
How It Works
Self-employment tax is 15.3% applied to 92.35% of your net earnings. The Social Security portion (12.4%) only applies up to the annual wage base; the Medicare portion (2.9%) has no cap. You can deduct half of the SE tax when calculating your federal income tax.
Formula
Taxable base = Net × 92.35% SE tax = 12.4% (Social Security, up to wage base) + 2.9% (Medicare) of the base Deductible half = SE tax ÷ 2
Examples
$80,000 net self-employment income
About $11,304 SE tax, with roughly $5,652 deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is self-employment tax?
It's the self-employed equivalent of the Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) that employers and employees split. Because you're both, you pay the full 15.3% — but you can deduct half of it on your income tax return.
Does this include federal income tax?
No. Self-employment tax is separate from and in addition to federal and state income tax. Use our income tax calculator for the income-tax portion. This tool covers only the Social Security + Medicare (SE) tax.
Who has to pay SE tax?
Generally anyone with $400 or more in net self-employment earnings in a year — freelancers, gig workers, sole proprietors, and independent contractors.
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