Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate Social Security and Medicare taxes for self-employed income
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Deductible expenses
Net Self-Employment Earnings$75,000.00
Revenue ($100,000.00) - Expenses ($25,000.00)
Total Self-Employment Tax
$10,597.16
Social Security + Medicare
Deductible Portion
$5,298.58
Above-the-line deduction
Social Security Tax
$8,588.55
12.4% on first $184,500.00
Medicare Tax
$2,008.61
2.9% on all earnings
How SE Tax is Calculated
Net Earnings: $75,000.00
x 92.35% (taxable portion)
= Taxable SE Earnings: $69,262.50
Social Security (12.4%): $8,588.55
Medicare (2.9%): $2,008.61
Total SE Tax: $10,597.16
Quarterly Estimated Payments
Q1 (Apr 15)
$2,649.29
Q2 (Jun 15)
$2,649.29
Q3 (Sep 15)
$2,649.29
Q4 (Jan 15)
$2,649.29
SE tax only. You'll also need to pay estimated income tax quarterly.
Self-Employed vs Employee
If you were an employee (7.65%)$5,737.50
As self-employed (15.3%)$10,597.16
Additional tax burden$4,859.66
Self-employed individuals pay both employer and employee portions of FICA taxes.
Net After SE Tax
$64,402.84
Before income tax
Effective SE Tax Rate
14.13%
Of net earnings
Tax-Saving Strategies
- Deduct half of SE tax: This reduces your adjusted gross income
- Maximize business deductions: Lower net earnings = lower SE tax
- Consider S-Corp election: May reduce SE tax for high earners
- Contribute to SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k): Reduces income tax
- Track all expenses: Home office, mileage, supplies, etc.
2026 Thresholds
- Social Security wage base: $184,500.00
- Additional Medicare tax (0.9%): On earnings over $200,000
- Minimum to file SE tax: $400 net earnings