Self-Employment Tax Calculator (2026)
If you work for yourself, you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare — 15.3% self-employment tax — on top of income tax. Enter your net profit to estimate the 2026 SE tax and the deductible half you can write off. Estimate only, not tax advice.
| Net earnings subject to SE tax (92.35%) | — |
| Social Security portion (12.4%) | — |
| Medicare portion (2.9%) | — |
| Additional Medicare (0.9%) | — |
| Deductible half (income-tax deduction) | — |
Federal self-employment tax estimate for the 2026 tax year only. Excludes income tax, state tax, and the QBI deduction. Not tax advice.
Quick answer: It is 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security plus 2.9% for Medicare — applied to 92.35% of your net self-employment profit. The Social Security portion applies only to the first $184,500 of earnings in 2026; the Medicare portion has no cap.
How self-employment tax works (2026)
SE tax = 15.3% × (net profit × 92.35%), with Social Security capped at $184,500
When you are employed, you and your employer each pay half of Social Security and Medicare (FICA). When you work for yourself, you pay both halves — that is the self-employment tax. For the 2026 tax year it is 15.3%: 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare.
- Only 92.35% of your net profit is subject to SE tax (this adjusts for the employer-half deduction).
- The Social Security portion stops at $184,500 of earnings in 2026. Above that, only the 2.9% Medicare portion continues.
- High earners add 0.9% Additional Medicare tax on earnings above $200,000 (single), $250,000 (married filing jointly), or $125,000 (married filing separately).
- You deduct half of the SE tax (the employer-equivalent portion) against your income — that is the "deductible half" above. It lowers your income tax, not your SE tax.
What this does not include
This is only the self-employment (Social Security + Medicare) tax. It is separate from and on top of federal income tax, and it excludes state tax and the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, which can reduce your income tax but not your SE tax. Because the IRS wants this paid as you go, most self-employed people send it in four quarterly estimated payments. Price your rates to cover it with the freelance hourly rate calculator.
Source: 2026 Social Security wage base and IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. Figures are updated each January for the new tax year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
It is 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security plus 2.9% for Medicare — applied to 92.35% of your net self-employment profit. The Social Security portion applies only to the first $184,500 of earnings in 2026; the Medicare portion has no cap.
How much of my self-employment income is taxed?
92.35% of your net profit is subject to SE tax. That factor accounts for the deduction of the employer-equivalent half, so you are not taxed on the full amount.
Can I deduct self-employment tax?
You can deduct half of your self-employment tax (the employer-equivalent portion) as an above-the-line deduction against your income tax. It reduces your income tax, not the SE tax itself. The 0.9% Additional Medicare tax is not part of this deduction.
Is self-employment tax the same as income tax?
No — they are separate. SE tax funds Social Security and Medicare; income tax is calculated on your taxable income using the federal brackets. A self-employed person typically owes both, which is why setting aside 25–30% of profit is a common rule of thumb.
All Taxes calculators
Capital Gains Tax · Quarterly Estimated Tax · Tax Refund Estimator
Last updated: 2026-07-11