Self-Employed Tax Calculator (1099 & Freelance)

How this 1099 and self-employed tax calculator works

If you freelance or work as an independent contractor, nobody withholds tax from your pay, with or without a 1099 form. You owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) on your net profit, plus federal income tax, and you usually pay both in four estimated installments. Enter your income and your expenses to see all three numbers.

The three numbers that matter

• Self-employment tax: 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit, with the Social Security part capped at $184,500 of earnings in 2026.
• Federal income tax: after the standard deduction, half of the self-employment tax and, for most people at these levels, the 20% qualified business income deduction.
• Quarterly payment: your estimated yearly tax divided by four, as a starting point. The quarterly tax calculator adapts it to payments you have already made.

Who this is for

Freelancers (writers, designers, developers, consultants), independent contractors who receive a Form 1099-NEC, and anyone with self-employment profit of $400 or more. If you also have a W-2 job, enter your wages under tax settings. Not sure which 1099 you will get? Read our guide.

This tool models US federal tax. State tax is only a flat rate you enter.

How taxes work for freelancers, 1099 workers and independent contractors

Freelancers, 1099 workers and independent contractors are treated as independent contractors, so nothing is withheld from your payouts. You are responsible for two federal taxes on your net profit (income minus allowable business expenses):

• Self-employment tax of 15.3%, made up of 12.4% Social Security and 2.9% Medicare, applied to 92.35% of your net profit. The Social Security part stops at $184,500 of earnings in 2026. Half of this tax is deductible when working out income tax.
• Federal income tax at your bracket rates, after the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household for 2026) and, for most people at these income levels, the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction.

Because no tax is taken out for you, the IRS expects estimated payments during the year, due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 for the 2026 tax year. A good habit is to move your estimated set-aside percentage into a separate account every time you are paid.

Deductions creators commonly use

Contractors are taxed on profit, so legitimate business costs reduce the bill. See the full deductions checklist. The most common:

• Software, subscriptions and professional tools.
• Payments to subcontractors and assistants.
• A business share of phone and internet costs.
• Equipment, deducted when placed in service or over several years.
• A dedicated home office using the simplified method: $5 per square foot up to 300 square feet.
• Health insurance premiums and retirement contributions can reduce tax further, but are not modelled here.

Worked example

Take a freelancer with $48,000 of contract income and $6,000 of other self-employment income, $54,000 in total. After about $9,750 of costs (including a 150 sq ft home office), net profit is $44,250. Self-employment tax is about $6,252 and federal income tax about $2,154, so the total estimate is $8,407, a set-aside near 19% of profit, or $2,102 per quarter, leaving about $35,843 after tax.

Quarterly estimated taxes for creators

Platforms usually pay creators gross, with no income tax taken out, so the IRS expects estimated payments during the year. For the 2026 tax year the due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15, 2027. The calculator divides your estimated yearly tax by four as a starting point. If your income is uneven, as it often is for creators, you may pay different amounts each quarter. See IRS Publication 505 for safe-harbor rules that can protect you from underpayment penalties.

Frequently asked questions

How much is self-employment tax?

15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit, made up of 12.4% Social Security (up to $184,500 in 2026) and 2.9% Medicare. Half is deductible for income tax.

How do I calculate taxes on 1099 income?

Subtract your business expenses from your 1099 income to get net profit. Then work out self-employment tax on that profit, then income tax after the standard deduction, half of the self-employment tax and any QBI deduction. The calculator does all of it.

How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?

The results show a percentage based on your numbers. It rises with income, and state tax adds to it.

When are quarterly estimated taxes due?

For the 2026 tax year: April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15, 2027. See the due dates guide.

Do I need to pay quarterly if I have a W-2 job too?

Often your employer's withholding covers part of it. Enter your W-2 wages and the calculator estimates only the extra tax from your self-employment profit. You can also increase your withholding instead.

Do I owe tax if I did not get a 1099?

Yes. If your net self-employment earnings are $400 or more you owe self-employment tax and must file a return, with or without a form.

Sources

• IRS: 2026 tax inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)
• IRS: Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare)
• IRS Publication 505: Tax withholding and estimated tax
• IRS: Simplified option for home office deduction
• IRS: Qualified business income deduction

Estimates only, not tax advice. See our disclaimer.

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