Self-Employment Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate your SE tax liability for the 2026 tax year.
Your Estimated SE Tax Breakdown
Net Self-Employment Earnings
$0.00
Taxable Base (92.35% of Net)
$0.00
Social Security Tax (12.4% on first $176,100)
$0.00
Medicare Tax (2.9%)
$0.00
Total Self-Employment Tax
$0.00
Additional Medicare Surtax (0.9%)
$0.00
Deductible Portion of SE Tax (1/2)
$0.00
This calculator is for estimation purposes only. Consult a tax professional for advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is self-employment (SE) tax?+
Self-employment tax is a tax consisting of Social Security and Medicare taxes primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is analogous to the FICA taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners.
Who needs to pay SE tax?+
You must pay SE tax and file Schedule SE (Form 1040) if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. This applies whether you are a freelancer, independent contractor, or small business owner.
Can I deduct a portion of my self-employment tax?+
Yes, you can deduct one-half of your self-employment tax when calculating your adjusted gross income (AGI). This deduction is an adjustment to income, so you can claim it even if you don't itemize your deductions.
How is SE tax different from income tax?+
SE tax is specifically for Social Security and Medicare, similar to FICA taxes for employees. Income tax is a separate tax on your total taxable income, which includes your net self-employment earnings after deducting one-half of your SE tax.
What is the 2026 Social Security wage base limit?+
For 2026, the Social Security wage base limit is $176,100. This means you only pay the Social Security portion (12.4%) of the SE tax on your net self-employment earnings up to this amount.
Do I need to pay estimated taxes quarterly?+
Yes, because you do not have an employer withholding taxes from your paycheck, you are generally required to pay both estimated income tax and self-employment tax quarterly. Use Form 1040-ES to calculate and pay your estimated tax.