US Freelance & 1099 Tax Calculator (Self-Employment Tax, 2026)
Work out federal self-employment tax on your 1099 freelance profit, plus a rough income-tax set-aside, and see what to put away each quarter.
How much should a freelancer set aside for taxes?
There's no single answer — it depends on your profit and your income tax bracket, not just a rule of thumb. This calculator gives you a specific figure instead: enter your profit and expected income tax rate below, and it works out self-employment tax plus a rough income-tax set-aside, split out by quarter.
How to use this
- Enter your net profit for the year.
- Set your expected tax rate.
- See how much to set aside each quarter — sources are listed below.
- Per quarter
- —
- Share of your profit
- Self-employment tax
- —
- Social Security part
- —
- Medicare part
- —
- Deductible half of SE tax
- —
- Estimated income tax
- —
US only. Excludes the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 for single filers. Doesn't calculate state tax on its own — fold it into the rate you enter above. Amounts are in US dollars, whatever currency you pick above.
How self-employment tax works
How much is self-employment tax in 2026?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit from self-employment: 12.4% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base, plus 2.9% Medicare with no cap. You owe no self-employment tax if your net earnings are under $400.
When are 2026 estimated tax payments due?
For the 2026 calendar year: April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, then January 15, 2027. A payment is on time if it is made by the next business day when the date falls on a weekend or holiday.
Is this the same as a 1099 tax calculator?
Yes. Freelancers and independent contractors who receive 1099 forms pay tax through self-employment tax plus estimated quarterly payments, which is exactly what this calculator works out. It doesn't matter whether your income came from one 1099-NEC or several — just enter your total net profit for the year.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is an estimate for planning. State tax is only included if you've folded it into the income tax rate you enter — the calculator doesn't work out a state-specific number on its own. It also ignores the standard deduction and credits, so use it as a set-aside guide, not a return — an accountant can tell you what you really owe.
Sources
- IRS – Topic no. 554, Self-employment tax
- Social Security Administration – Contribution and Benefit Base
- IRS – Estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES)
Rates for 2026, last checked 2026-09.
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