Self-Employment Tax Calculators: Freelance & Contractor Income (2026)
When you work for yourself, taxes aren't automatically withheld — and you pay more than employees do. Freelancers and contractors owe self-employment tax (15.3%) on net earnings on top of income tax. These free calculators estimate your true after-tax take-home from self-employed income, side work, and contractor vs employee comparisons.
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Self-employment tax calculators (2026)
- After-tax self-employed income calculator Estimate net income from freelancing or contracting after SE tax (15.3%) and federal + state income tax. Enter net business profit after expenses for a useful planning estimate.
- Contractor vs employee calculator Compare net income as a W-2 employee vs 1099 contractor — accounts for SE tax, tax-rate differences at the same gross income; benefits are reviewed separately.
- Side income tax calculator Estimate taxes on freelance, gig, or secondary income added on top of a primary W-2 salary — shows marginal-rate impact and a practical tax set-aside estimate.
Self-employment tax reference: what you actually owe (2026)
Freelancers and contractors pay SE tax on net self-employment earnings, plus income tax. Here's a simplified estimate for a single filer with no other income and standard deductions only:
| Net Self-Employment Income | SE Tax (92.35% × 15.3%) | Est. Federal Income Tax | Total Federal Tax | Effective Total Rate | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | ~$2,826 | ~$250 | ~$3,075 | ~15% | ~$16,925 |
| $30,000 | ~$4,239 | ~$1,180 | ~$5,400 | ~18% | ~$24,600 |
| $50,000 | ~$7,065 | ~$3,400 | ~$10,500 | ~21% | ~$39,500 |
| $75,000 | ~$10,597 | ~$6,500 | ~$17,100 | ~23% | ~$57,900 |
| $100,000 | ~$14,130 | ~$11,600 | ~$25,700 | ~26% | ~$74,300 |
| $150,000 | ~$21,200 | ~$22,200 | ~$43,400 | ~29% | ~$106,600 |
SE tax generally starts with net business profit × 92.35%; the 15.3% statutory rate is then applied to those net earnings, subject to the Social Security wage base. Half of the calculated SE tax is an adjustment to income, and the $16,100 federal standard deduction for a 2026 single filer is applied separately when estimating federal income tax. W-2 wages also use part of the $184,500 Social Security wage base. Add state income tax where applicable. Use the after-tax self-employed calculator for a personalized planning estimate.
Contractor vs employee: tax rate comparison at $75,000 gross
| Worker Type | Gross Income | FICA / SE Tax | Federal Income Tax | Total Tax (est.) | Take-Home (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-2 Employee | $75,000 | $5,738 (7.65%) | ~$7,670 | ~$13,400 | ~$61,600 |
| 1099 Contractor | $75,000 | $10,597 (SE tax) | ~$6,500 | ~$17,100 | ~$57,900 |
The ~$3,700 tax-only gap can narrow when deductible business expenses reduce contractor net profit. A complete compensation comparison should also value paid leave, health coverage, retirement contributions, insurance, equipment, and non-billable time. Use the contractor vs employee calculator to model the cash-income side of the comparison.
Sources: IRS Schedule SE guidance and IRS Publication 505.
Related calculators
- Net hourly wage calculator See your after-tax hourly rate — includes contractor effective rate estimates
- Salary vs hourly calculator Compare after-tax compensation between salaried and hourly/contract positions
- Retirement withdrawal tax calculator Self-employed? Estimate taxes on SEP-IRA or Solo 401k withdrawals
- Gross vs net income guide How taxes reduce gross income — with examples at common earnings levels
Filing taxes as a freelancer or contractor?
Self-employment returns can involve Schedule C, Schedule SE, deductions, and estimated payments. Tax software can help prepare and file these items:
TurboTax Self-Employed↗ — Schedule C, SE tax, and quarterly estimates built in
FreeTaxUSA↗ — handles Schedule C and self-employment tax at low cost
H&R Block↗ — file with a tax pro for complex contractor or multi-income situations
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Self-employment tax: FAQs
How is self-employment income taxed?
Net self-employment profit can be subject to both self-employment tax and federal/state income tax. For the regular SE-tax method, Schedule SE generally multiplies profit by 92.35% before applying the 15.3% Social Security-and-Medicare rate, subject to the Social Security wage base. Half of the calculated SE tax is an adjustment to income. On $50,000 of net profit with no other income, a 2026 single filer has roughly $10,461 of federal income tax plus SE tax combined, leaving about $39,539 before state tax and before any QBI deduction.
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
The statutory self-employment tax rate is 15.3%: 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare. Under the regular method, the rate is generally applied to 92.35% of net self-employment profit. The 2026 Social Security wage base is $184,500 across covered wages and net self-employment earnings; Medicare has no wage base cap, and Additional Medicare Tax can apply at higher income. Half of the calculated SE tax is generally deductible as an adjustment to income.
Do freelancers pay more tax than employees?
Contractors generally bear both the employee and employer sides of Social Security and Medicare, while a W-2 employee has only the employee share withheld from pay. The comparison is not simply 15.3% versus 7.65%, because SE tax is generally computed on 92.35% of net profit and contractors can have business deductions and other adjustments. The contractor vs employee calculator compares net cash income using rates you choose.
How much self-employment tax do I owe on $50,000?
On $50,000 of net self-employment income: SE tax = $50,000 × 92.35% × 15.3% = approximately $7,065. You deduct half ($3,533) plus the federal standard deduction ($16,100) from gross income before calculating income tax, leaving taxable income of approximately $30,400. Federal income tax adds approximately $3,400. Total federal taxes: approximately $10,500. Take-home: approximately $39,500 before state tax. Use the after-tax self-employed calculator for a custom planning estimate.
Is side income taxed differently?
Taxable side-business income must be reported even if you do not receive an information form. If net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, Schedule SE generally applies as well. Side profit can also fall into the federal bracket reached by your other taxable income. If your withholding and credits will not cover enough tax, you may need estimated payments; increasing W-2 withholding can sometimes be an alternative. Use the side income tax calculator to model a tax set-aside rate.
Do I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes as a freelancer?
You generally need estimated tax payments if you expect to owe at least $1,000 after subtracting withholding and refundable credits and you do not meet an applicable safe-harbor rule. For 2026 calendar-year taxpayers, the regular due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. The required installments are not always simply one-quarter of annual tax, especially when income is uneven during the year.
What is the difference between contractor and employee net pay?
A $75,000 W-2 employee takes home approximately $61,600 after federal tax and FICA (before state tax). A $75,000 1099 contractor takes home approximately $57,900 after SE tax and income tax — roughly $3,700 less — because they pay both halves of FICA and often lack employer benefits (health insurance, 401k match, PTO). The gap narrows when contractors deduct business expenses and retirement contributions. Use the contractor vs employee calculator for the full breakdown.