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Self-Employment Tax Calculator (US)

Estimate the US self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) you'll owe on your freelance profit, so quarterly taxes don't ambush you.

$

Business income minus business expenses.

$

Annual cap on the 12.4% portion — confirm the current-year figure.

$

An extra 0.9% Medicare applies above this (about $200k single / $250k joint).

Estimate only — not tax advice

This estimates the self-employment (Social Security + Medicare) portion only. Your total bill also includes federal and any state income tax. Confirm figures with a tax professional or official IRS guidance before filing.

Estimated self-employment tax

$9,890.69

$4,945.34 of it is income-tax deductible

Net profit$70,000.00
Taxable base (92.35%)$64,645.00
Social Security (12.4%)$8,015.98
Medicare (2.9%)$1,874.71
Additional Medicare (0.9%)$0.00
Total SE tax$9,890.69
Deductible half(reduces income tax)$4,945.34

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What self-employment tax actually is

When you're employed, you and your employer split Social Security and Medicare taxes. When you're self-employed you pay both halves yourself — that combined amount is self-employment (SE) tax, currently 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on your net profit.

Two important details soften it: SE tax applies to 92.35% of your net profit, and you can deduct half of the SE tax when figuring your income tax. Social Security tax only applies up to an annual wage-base cap; Medicare has no cap and adds a small surtax at higher incomes.

Why estimate it now

Self-employment tax is separate from income tax and catches new freelancers off guard. In the US you generally pay estimated taxes quarterly, so knowing the figure early means you can set the money aside instead of scrambling at filing time. This calculator gives a planning estimate of the SE-tax portion; your total bill also includes federal and any state income tax.

Frequently asked questions

Is this my full tax bill?
No. This estimates only self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare). Your total also includes federal income tax and possibly state income tax, which depend on your bracket, deductions, and filing status.
What is the 92.35% adjustment?
SE tax is charged on 92.35% of your net profit, not the full amount. This mirrors the employer-side deduction employees effectively get, and the calculator applies it for you.
What about the Social Security wage cap?
Social Security's 12.4% portion only applies up to an annual earnings cap; profit above it is subject only to the 2.9% Medicare portion (plus a high-income surtax). The calculator uses an editable cap so you can match the current year's figure.
Is this tax advice?
No. It's an educational estimate to help you plan and set money aside. Confirm your actual liability with a qualified tax professional or official IRS guidance before filing or paying.
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Last updated 2026-06-01.