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.
Self-Employment Income
Self-Employment Tax Breakdown
| Component | Base | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net SE income × 92.35% | $85,000 | 92.35% | $78,498 |
| Social Security (both halves) | $78,498 | 12.4% | $9,734 |
| Medicare (both halves) | $78,498 | 2.9% | $2,276 |
| Total Self-Employment Tax | $12,010 |
SE Tax vs. W-2 FICA Comparison
If this income were W-2 wages instead, here's how the payroll taxes compare:
| Component | Self-Employed | W-2 Employee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security + Medicare | $12,010 | $6,503 | $5,508 |
| Deductible half (AGI reduction) | $6,005 | N/A | |
| Federal Income Tax | $8,549 | $9,870 | -$1,321 |
| Total Federal Tax | $20,559 | $16,373 | $4,187 |
Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer portions of FICA, but the deductible half partially offsets this through lower income tax.
Quarterly Estimated Payments
| Quarter | Due Date | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Jan–Mar) | April 15, 2026 | $5,140 |
| Q2 (Apr–May) | June 16, 2026 | $5,140 |
| Q3 (Jun–Aug) | September 15, 2026 | $5,140 |
| Q4 (Sep–Dec) | January 15, 2027 | $5,140 |
Complete Tax Summary
How Self-Employment Tax Works
Self-employment taxis 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.