Self-Employment Tax Calculator
US-SpecificCalculate US self-employment Social Security and Medicare tax
Total Self-Employment Tax (2026)
$8,477.73
about $2,119.43 per quarter
Estimated payment due dates (tax year 2026)
April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the next year (the next business day if one falls on a weekend or holiday). Source: IRS Form 1040-ES. These dates also apply to your income tax, so your actual payments should cover income tax as well as the $2,119.43 of self-employment tax per quarter shown here.
Social Security (12.4%)
$6,870.84
Medicare (2.9%)
$1,606.89
Deductible Half (reduces income tax)
$4,238.87
Work out your income tax too (the Income Tax Calculator has a self-employed mode that uses these figures).
How this was calculated
1. Net earnings
Net profit x 92.35%
Using Net profit = $60,000.00
Result: $55,410.00
2. Self-employment tax
Social Security 12.4% (up to the wage base, less W-2 wages) + Medicare 2.9% + Additional Medicare 0.9% above the threshold
Using Social Security = $6,870.84; Medicare = $1,606.89; Additional Medicare = $0.00
Result: $8,477.73
3. Per quarter (self-employment tax only)
Self-employment tax / 4
Using Self-employment tax = $8,477.73
Result: $2,119.43
Quarterly payments
| Payment | Income earned | Due (IRS 1040-ES) | Self-employment tax | Total payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 | 2026-04-15 | $2,119.43 | $2,119.43 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 - May 31 | 2026-06-15 | $2,119.43 | $2,119.43 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 - Aug 31 | 2026-09-15 | $2,119.43 | $2,119.43 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 - Dec 31 | 2027-01-15 | $2,119.43 | $2,119.43 |
2026 rules: 12.4% Social Security on up to $184,500 of earnings (less any W-2 wages) + 2.9% Medicare, applied to 92.35% of net profit, plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above your filing status threshold. Separate from regular income tax. The wage base is updated each year when the Social Security Administration announces it. Not tax advice — consult a tax professional.
Tax year: 2026 · Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and SSA 2026 wage base · Rates last updated: 11 October 2026
Compared with the official figures on that date. Next review: November, when the IRS publishes next year's figures.
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About Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimates self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare contributions) for freelancers and independent contractors in the US, who pay both the employee and employer portions themselves. It handles the $400 minimum, W-2 wages that use up part of the Social Security wage base, and the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax for higher earners.
Enter your estimated net self-employment profit. If you also have a W-2 job, add those wages, and choose your filing status (it sets the Additional Medicare Tax threshold). The result also shows an estimated quarterly payment.
Self-employment tax is separate from income tax — this covers only the Social Security/Medicare portion, so budget for income tax on top of this estimate, not instead of it. Half of it (not the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax) is deductible when you work out income tax.
Watch: Self-Employment Tax Calculator in Action
- Does this cover my full tax liability as a freelancer?
- No — this covers only the Social Security and Medicare portion (self-employment tax specifically). Budget for regular income tax on top of this estimate, not instead of it.
Next: Income Tax Calculator
Estimate federal income tax on top of that
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