Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate your self-employment tax for 2026. See how much you owe for Social Security and Medicare, your deductible half for AGI, quarterly estimated payment amounts, and how SE tax compares to W-2 FICA.
How Self-Employment Tax Works
Self-employment tax is the self-employed person's equivalent of FICA payroll taxes. When you work for an employer, you each pay half of Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). When self-employed, you pay both halves — a combined rate of 15.3%.
The 92.35% rule: Only 92.35% of your net self-employment income is subject to SE tax. This mirrors the fact that employers pay their half on your full wages — the 7.65% “employer half” effectively reduces your taxable SE earnings.
- Social Security: 12.4% on SE earnings up to the wage base ($176,100 in 2026), minus any W-2 wages
- Medicare: 2.9% on all SE earnings (no cap)
- Additional Medicare: 0.9% on combined wages + SE earnings over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ)
Deductible half: You can deduct half of your SE tax (excluding the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax) as an above-the-line deduction on Schedule 1. This reduces your AGI before computing income tax.
Quarterly estimated payments: Self-employed individuals must make quarterly estimated tax payments (Form 1040-ES) by April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. The safe harbor rule requires paying at least 100% of prior-year tax (110% if AGI exceeds $150,000) to avoid underpayment penalties.