Calculate SE tax, federal income tax, state tax, and quarterly estimated payments for 2026.
Tax brackets, standard deductions, and SS wage base are based on IRS inflation-adjusted figures for the 2026 tax year (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and the SSA 2026 wage base ($184,500). State income tax rates are simplified (flat/representative rates). This calculator is for estimation only — consult a tax professional for filing.
Freelancers are treated as both the employee and the employer. You first subtract business expenses on Schedule C to get your net profit, then pay 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of it (12.4% Social Security up to the $184,500 base, plus 2.9% Medicare). Before income tax you may subtract half of the SE tax, the 20% QBI deduction, and the standard deduction ($16,100 single in 2026). The remaining taxable income is taxed at federal brackets plus your state rate, and because no employer withholds, you pay the total in four estimated installments on Form 1040-ES.
The stacked bar shows the tool's sample: $85,000 gross with $5,000 of expenses and California as the state. After expenses, SE tax, federal, and state tax, $57,409 reaches take-home — a 32.5% effective rate on the gross.
Jonah, a freelance video editor in Brooklyn, earns $72,000 and has $9,000 of business expenses on Schedule C, filing single in New York.
Freelancers pay 15.3% SE tax plus federal and state income tax. Enter your income and state to see your total tax bill, quarterly estimates, and QBI deduction.
FreeToolHub Freelancer Tax Calculator is a free browser-based tool that estimates total tax for self-employed individuals, no signup, no upload.
Calculate freelance self-employment tax, deductions, and quarterly estimates. All 50 states, 2026 rates. Free, instant, no signup.
The Freelancer Tax Calculator is a free, browser-based tool that estimates your total tax burden as a self-employed individual in the United States. It calculates federal income tax, self-employment tax (15.3%), the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction of up to 20%, and state income tax for all 50 states — all using 2026 tax brackets. No signup, no data upload: every calculation happens in your browser.
This calculator is built for freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers (Uber, DoorDash, Upwork), sole proprietors, and anyone who receives 1099-NEC or 1099-K income. If you earn more than $400 in net self-employment income, you must file Schedule SE and pay self-employment tax.
The calculator applies the 2026 tax logic in this order: (1) Your net business income (revenue minus deductible expenses) is subject to self-employment tax at 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security (capped at $184,500) and 2.9% for Medicare (no cap). (2) You deduct half of SE tax from your adjusted gross income. (3) The QBI deduction reduces taxable income by up to 20% of qualified business income. (4) Federal income tax is calculated using 2026 brackets (10% to 37%). (5) State income tax is added based on your state of residence.
A freelancer in California earning $80,000 net profit: • Self-employment tax: $80,000 × 92.35% × 15.3% = $11,297 • Deduction for half SE tax: $5,648 • QBI deduction (20% of QBI): ~$12,870 • Federal income tax (after deductions): ~$6,200 • California state tax: ~$3,800 • Total tax: ~$21,297 (effective rate ~26.6%) • Quarterly payment: ~$5,324 per quarter
A freelancer earning $80,000 net profit typically pays about 25-30% in total taxes: 15.3% self-employment tax plus federal income tax (10-37% based on brackets) plus state income tax (0-13.3% depending on state). The QBI deduction can reduce taxable income by up to 20%.
Yes. If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in tax for the year, the IRS requires quarterly estimated payments using Form 1040-ES. Deadlines: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Missing payments triggers underpayment penalties (approximately 8% annualized in 2026).
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security (on net earnings up to $184,500 in 2026) and 2.9% for Medicare (on all net earnings, plus an additional 0.9% for high earners above $200,000 single / $250,000 married filing jointly).
The Qualified Business Income deduction (Section 199A) allows freelancers and sole proprietors to deduct up to 20% of qualified business income from taxable income. For $80,000 net profit, the QBI deduction is up to $16,000, reducing taxable income to $64,000. This is an above-the-line deduction — no itemizing required.
Yes. Common deductions include home office ($5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft or actual expenses), software subscriptions, equipment, mileage (67¢/mile in 2026), health insurance premiums (100% deductible above-the-line), and retirement contributions (SEP-IRA up to $69,000 or Solo 401(k) up to $69,000 in 2026).
The IRS charges an underpayment penalty (approximately 8% annualized in 2026) on the amount you should have paid each quarter. You may also face interest charges. To avoid penalties, pay at least 90% of current year tax or 100% of prior year tax (110% if AGI > $150,000) through quarterly payments.
Yes. The calculator includes 2026 state income tax rates for all 50 states, including states with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, etc.) and high-tax states (California, New York, New Jersey). It also handles state-specific deductions and standard deductions.
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