Compare total compensation between a W-2 job and 1099 contract — including benefits, taxes, and take-home.
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.
The headline number of a job offer hides the real difference. On a W-2, your employer pays half of FICA (7.65%) and typically covers health insurance, a 401(k) match, and paid time off — value you never see in your paycheck. As a 1099 contractor you pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax yourself, buy your own benefits, and get no paid leave, but you can deduct business expenses and the 20% QBI deduction. This tool values every benefit dollar on each side and solves for the 1099 income that makes take-home equal.
The W-2 column keeps employer FICA, health insurance, the 401(k) match, and paid time off. The 1099 column must cover SE tax, health insurance, and unpaid time off out of pocket — which is why contract rates typically need to run 20–30% higher.
Sofia, a marketing manager in Chicago, compares a W-2 offer of $90,000 salary + $5,000 bonus with $12,000 employer health insurance, a $4,500 401(k) match, and 15 paid vacation days against a 1099 contract.
A 1099 contractor pays 15.3% SE tax and covers their own benefits, while a W-2 employee has half their FICA paid by the employer. Enter both offers to compare true take-home pay.
FreeToolHub W-2 vs 1099 Calculator is a free browser-based tool that compares take-home pay between employee and contractor status, no signup.
Should you take W-2 or 1099? Compare real take-home pay after taxes, benefits, and deductions. Free, 2026 tax rates, no signup.
The W-2 vs 1099 Calculator helps you compare two job offers on an apples-to-apples basis: a W-2 employee salary and a 1099 contractor rate. It factors in federal and state income tax, self-employment tax, health insurance, retirement contributions, and the value of paid leave to show your true take-home pay under each classification.
This calculator is for freelancers, consultants, gig workers, independent contractors, and anyone deciding between a job offer as a W-2 employee and a 1099 contract. It helps you evaluate whether a contract rate justifies the extra costs of self-employment tax and benefits you must now pay yourself.
The calculator estimates W-2 net pay using 2026 federal and state tax brackets, standard deduction, and FICA (employee pays 7.65%). For 1099, it adds self-employment tax (15.3%), estimates health insurance costs (monthly premiums minus possible QSEHRA reimbursement), retirement account contributions (SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)), and subtracts the value of paid leave (W-2 only). The result shows how much each option leaves in your pocket after taxes, benefits, and expenses.
A single filer choosing between a $75,000 W-2 salary and a $100,000 1099 contract in California, both with the standard deduction: the W-2 path pays about $9,500 federal income tax, $5,700 FICA, and $3,300 state tax, leaving roughly $56,500 before counting employer benefits. The 1099 path pays about $14,100 self-employment tax, $9,700 federal (after deducting half of SE tax and the 20% QBI deduction), $4,900 California tax, and roughly $7,200 individual health insurance, leaving about $64,000. Before declaring 1099 the winner, add back the W-2 extras: paid leave worth about $2,900, a 3% 401(k) match worth $2,250, and employer-subsidized premiums — the gap narrows to near parity. Run your own numbers above with your state and benefit costs.
Not necessarily. After SE tax, health insurance, and retirement contributions, the $75,000 W-2 may leave you with more take-home pay than a $100,000 1099. Use this calculator to compare net income, including the value of paid leave and benefits.
Self-employment tax is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security (capped at $184,500 in earnings) and 2.9% for Medicare (no cap, plus 0.9% for high earners above $200,000 single / $250,000 married). This is double the 7.65% FICA an employee pays.
No. Contractors must contribute to their own retirement accounts. You can deduct SEP-IRA contributions up to $69,000 or Solo 401(k) up to $69,000 in 2026. The calculator includes deductions for these contributions.
Individual health insurance typically costs $400-800 per month depending on age, plan, and state. You can deduct 100% of health insurance premiums above-the-line as a self-employed person, but this is factored into net income, not AGI.
Yes. You can deduct the business portion of home office (up to $1,500 using $5/sq ft or actual expenses), internet, phone, and car (67¢/mile in 2026). These deductions reduce your net business income before SE tax and income tax.
It depends on your city, county, and profession. Many jurisdictions require a business license regardless of size. Check with your local government.
W-2 employees receive employer-paid health insurance, paid leave (sick and vacation), retirement matching, and workers compensation protection. The employer covers 7.65% FICA and also pays unemployment insurance.
Take your 1099 rate and adjust for SE tax (divide by ~1.13), health insurance, retirement, and paid leave. This calculator automates this process using your state and salary information.
A $100K W-2 salary and a $100K 1099 contract are not equal. The W-2 calculator factors in employer-paid benefits (health insurance, 401k match, FICA), while the 1099 calculator accounts for self-employment tax (15.3%), business expenses, and lack of benefits. Use this tool to compare real take-home pay after all taxes and deductions.
It depends on total compensation. A 1099 contractor typically needs 20-30% higher rate than a W-2 salary to break even after paying self-employment tax, health insurance, retirement, and business expenses. This calculator compares both options side-by-side with 2026 tax rates to help you decide.
1099 contractors pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax (FICA: Social Security 12.4% + Medicare 2.9%), while W-2 employees pay only half (7.65%) with the employer covering the other half. Contractors also pay their own health insurance, retirement, and business expenses. This calculator accounts for all of these.
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