F Freelance Tax Desk1099 and self-employment tax planner for US freelancers.
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1099 & Self-Employment Tax Calculator

See exactly how much to set aside from every client payment, what to send the IRS each quarter, and the hourly rate you need to hit your take-home goal.

🔒 Everything is calculated in your browser. Your numbers never leave your device.

Your tax year 2026

Pay each quarter$5,022Next due Jan 15, 2027
Total tax$20,088on $79,000 net profit
Set aside24%of every payment you receive
Effective rate25.4%Marginal bracket 12%

Where it goes

Social Security (12.4%)$9,047
Medicare (2.9%+)$2,116
Federal income tax$5,255
State tax$3,671

Self-employment tax applies to 92.35% of net profit. Half of it is deducted from your income tax base.

Estimated payment schedule

  1. Q1Apr 15, 2026$5,022
  2. Q2Jun 15, 2026$5,022
  3. Q3Sep 15, 2026$5,022

Pay through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS with Form 1040-ES. Paying late or too little can trigger an underpayment penalty.

What should you charge?

Minimum hourly rate$73/hInvoice $101,393 · $8,449 per month

How it works

  1. Choose your filing status and enter what you invoiced this year.
  2. Subtract business expenses: they reduce both self-employment tax and income tax.
  3. Add any W-2 salary so the calculator uses the right brackets and Social Security cap.
  4. Read your quarterly payment and the percentage to set aside from each payment you receive.

Why freelancers pay more than employees

An employer normally pays half of Social Security and Medicare. When you work on a 1099, you pay both halves: 15.3% on 92.35% of your net profit, up to the Social Security wage base ($184,500 in 2026), plus 2.9% Medicare above it. Half of that self-employment tax is deductible from your income tax base.

How quarterly estimated taxes work

Nobody withholds tax from 1099 income, so the IRS expects you to pay during the year. If you will owe $1,000 or more, send estimated payments by April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. Paying at least 100% of last year's tax (110% above $150,000 AGI) protects you from penalties even if this year's income grows.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I set aside for taxes as a 1099 freelancer?

Most US freelancers need 25–35% of net profit, depending on income, state and deductions. The calculator shows your personal percentage of gross receipts in the "Set aside" card.

Is this calculator updated for 2026?

Yes. It uses the 2026 federal brackets, standard deductions ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household) and the $184,500 Social Security wage base.

What is the QBI deduction?

The qualified business income deduction lets many sole proprietors deduct up to 20% of business profit from taxable income. It phases out for some service businesses at high incomes, which this simplified calculator does not model.

Does this replace a tax professional?

No. It is a planning tool that ignores credits, other deductions and special situations. Use it to budget, and confirm your return with a CPA or tax software.