Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate U.S. self-employment tax from Schedule C net profit, then check a target take-home amount or a quarterly planning figure.
Inputs
Planning estimate only. It excludes federal and state income tax, deductions, credits, QBI, penalties, and final Form 1040 calculations.
Estimate
Enter net profit to see the SE-tax base and tax components.
- Net profit
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- Taxable SE earnings
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- Social Security
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- Medicare + additional
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- Total SE tax
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- Deductible half
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- Annual / planning total
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ready to use.
- Visible firstKeep the input and result positions clear.
- Results firstPut the main number up front and keep the process secondary.
- Less to askNo sign-up or extra information before using the tool.
Use a U.S. self-employment tax model, not a withholding rate
U.S. independent contractors generally plan for self-employment tax rather than a flat invoice withholding rate. This calculator starts with Schedule C net profit and separates Social Security, Medicare, and Additional Medicare planning amounts.
Use it to test cash flow before you set aside money or price a project. It is not a full tax return: income tax, deductions, credits, and filing details remain outside this estimate.
Start with net profit
Enter business profit after ordinary and necessary business expenses, not total client receipts. That distinction changes the tax base.
SE earnings formula
The model uses taxable SE earnings equal to net profit multiplied by 92.35%. This is the base used for the SE-tax estimate.
Social Security portion
Social Security is estimated at 12.4% of taxable SE earnings up to the annual wage base, reduced by applicable W-2 wages already subject to Social Security.
Medicare portion
Medicare is estimated at 2.9% of taxable SE earnings. Unlike Social Security, this part is not capped by the Social Security wage base.
Additional Medicare
The model adds 0.9% above the selected threshold.
- Single or head of household: $200,000
- Married filing jointly: $250,000
- Married filing separately: $125,000
Simple example
With $50,000 of net profit and no W-2 wages, taxable SE earnings are $46,175 before the Social Security and Medicare rates are applied.
Reverse a target
The target operation estimates the net profit needed to reach a chosen amount after estimated SE tax. It does not solve for income tax or state tax.
Quarterly planning
The quarterly operation divides the annual SE-tax estimate by four. Actual estimated-tax due dates, safe harbors, and payment requirements may differ.
Scope and common mistakes
This is an SE-tax planning model, not total tax.
- Do not enter gross revenue as net profit
- Do not ignore W-2 wages
- Do not treat one-fourth as a required payment
Before relying on it
Confirm the tax year, filing status, current wage base, W-2 wages, income-tax estimate, and whether your facts require a tax professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a freelancer withholding calculator?
No. It estimates U.S. self-employment tax, not a flat withholding percentage on an invoice.
Why does the tool use 92.35%?
Self-employment tax is generally calculated on 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment under the IRS Schedule SE framework.
Does this include federal income tax?
No. Federal income tax, state and local tax, deductions, credits, QBI, and other Form 1040 items are excluded.
Why can W-2 wages change the result?
W-2 wages already subject to Social Security can reduce the remaining Social Security wage base available to self-employment earnings.
What does the filing-status setting change?
It changes the Additional Medicare threshold used by this estimate; it does not calculate a complete joint or separate return.
Is the quarterly amount my required payment?
No. It is an annual SE-tax estimate divided by four, not a determination of estimated-tax obligations or safe-harbor payments.
Currentness: 2026 planning parameters must be checked against current IRS and SSA publications before use; annual wage-base figures change.